Dimmer Family Foundation

Aging and Disability Services Administration, Department of Social and Health Services; Franciscan Health System; The Gary E. Milgard Family Foundation; MultiCare Health System; Pacific Lutheran University School of Nursing; Pierce County Aging and Long-Term Care, Human Services Department; Washington Adult Day Services Association; Bruce W. Gilpin Memorial Foundation

Diane Dimmer, Executive Director, Dimmer Family Foundation, (253) 572-4607, dianedimmer@harbornet.com

Terry Miller, Dean, School of Nursing, Pacific Lutheran University, (253) 535-7676, millertw@plu.edu

Brief Project Synopsis: 

CGEP is an original, multi-faceted project designed to strengthen the baccalaureate and higher degree infrastructure for producing more qualified nurses committed to the care of the older adult. 

CGEP can ensure a sustainable model of quality nursing care for older adults by using comprehensive community partnerships to implement multi-layered strategies, including:  the recruitment and development of specialized faculty; nursing curriculum enhancements to include expanded gerontologic content paired with in-depth, geriatric clinical experiences; expanded student enrollments that include cohorts committed to serving older adults; and creation and provision of gerontologic education for regional healthcare workers.     

CGEP aims not only to advance the quality of geriatric care offered in the South Puget Sound region of Washington State, but to create a model capable of inspiring broad-based community partnerships and effective replication across the nation.

Project Goals and Objectives:

Specifically, over the next two years, the goals of the CGEP are to: 

• Add three full-time tenure-track faculty with specialties in the acute, chronic and psychological care of the older adult;
• Fully implement and evaluate nursing curriculum changes based on the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s (AACN) gerontological competencies;
• Recruit and provide financial support for 10 undergraduate and/or graduate students who are passionate about pursuing a nursing career dedicated to the care of older adults;
• Add 10 gerontological-focused clinical sites for placement of undergraduate and graduate nursing students;
• Improve the status of gerontological instruction and clinical work by providing faculty development;
• Create and offer a gerontological nursing certification outreach program dedicated to assisting regional nurses; and
• Provide educational workshops on the care of older adults to area nurses and healthcare workers