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PACERS | South Central MIRECC

Program for Advancing Cognitive disorders Education for Rural Staff Logo

About Program for Advancing Cognitive disorders Education for Rural Staff (PACERS)

PACERS is for clinicians who care for Veterans with cognitive disorders. It aims to improve outcomes for Veterans and their caregivers, especially those living in rural communities. PACERS has 6 e-learning courses and 5 videos. Physicians, psychologists, nurses, social workers, and counselors can get continuing education credit for the courses. PACERS was funded by the VA Office of Rural Health. It is supported by the VA Employee Education System (EES) and SC MIRECC.

This product is a best practice.

Free CEU E-Learning

Overview

PACERS Course 1: Dementia and Delirium (1 HOUR CEU)
PACERS dementia and delirium course Learn how to define delirium and dementia according to DSM-5 criteria.
  • Identify the signs symptoms, evaluation, and treatment of delirium and dementia/dementia subtypes
  • Indicate differences between delirium and dementia
  • Accreditation: ACCME, ACCME-NP, APA, ANCC, NBCC, ASWB, NYSED SW
  • Accreditation: Expiration: 7/27/2025
  • Published 2016 | Last Reviewed 2022
 
PACERS Course 2: Identifying and Assessing for Dementia (1 HOUR CEU)
PACERS identifying and assessing for dementia course Learn how to identify and assess dementia.
  • Identify dementia warning signs
  • Describe benefits and barriers to dementia diagnosis
  • List the steps of the comprehensive assessment
  • Describe benefits and barriers to dementia diagnosis
  • Distinguish between dementia and other illnesses with similar symptoms
  • Accreditation: ACCME, ACCME-NP, APA, ANCC, NBCC, ASWB, NYSED SW
  • Accreditation Expires 12/31/2023
  • Published 2017 | Last Reviewed 2020
 
PACERS Course 3: Treating Dementia - Case Studies (1 HOUR CEU)
PACERS dementia case studies course Learn how to apply dementia diagnostic skills by completing two case-based studies of Veterans presenting with signs of cognitive impairment.
  • Health care professionals can fine tune their diagnostic skills by completing a thorough evaluation
  • Accreditation: ACCME, ACCME-NP, APA, ANCC, NBCC, ASWB, NYSED SW
  • Accreditation Expires 2/16/2024
  • Published 2017 | Last Reviewed 2021
 
PACERS Course 4: Normal Cognitive Aging and Dementia Caregiving (1 HOUR CEU)
PACERS normal aging course Learn about the differences between normal and abnormal cognitive aging and the importance of being a caregiver and available resources.
  • Signs of elder abuse and neglect
  • unique experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) caregivers
  • Accreditation: ACCME, ACCME-NP, APA, ANCC, NBCC, ASWB, NYSED SW
  • Accreditation Expires 10/6/2023
  • Published 2017 | Last Reviewed 2020
 
PACERS Course 5: Addressing Decision Making and Safety in Dementia (1 HOUR CEU)
PACERS dementia decision making course Learn topics related to decision-making, advanced-care planning and safety for Veterans with dementia. Specific topics include:
  • Competency, capacity and consent
  • Advanced care planning
  • Driving and dementia
  • Elder abuse
  • Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender caregivers
  • Accreditation: ACCME, ACCME-NP, APA, ANCC, NBCC, ASWB, NYSED SW
  • Accreditation Expires 12/18/2023
  • Published 2017 | Last Reviewed 2020
 
PACERS Course 6: Driving and Dementia (1 HOUR CEU)
PACERS dementia and driving course Learn how to address diminished driving skills and decision-making in older drivers with dementia and their families.
  • Accreditation: ACCME, ACCME-NP, APA, ANCC, NBCC, ASWB, NYSED SW
  • Accreditation Expires 3/7/2025
  • Published 2016 | Last Reviewed 2022
 

Videos

elderly man holding car keys

PACERS: Driving and Dementia-Hanging up the Keys

Health care provider dicussing an Alzheimer's disease diagnosis

PACERS: How to Deliver the Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease

Health care provider discussion end-of-life care with a patient's loved ones

PACERS: How to Have an End of Life Discussion

Health care provider discussing self-neglect with patient

PACERS: How to Identify Self-Neglect

Health care provider assisting a patient with eating a meal

Persons with Dementia: Skills for Addressing Challenging Behaviors

Contact

Email VISN16SCMIRECCEducation@va.gov for more information.

Use of these Materials and Finding VA Health Care

Please note that the health care information provided in these materials is for educational purposes only. It does not replace the role of a medical practitioner for advice on care and treatment. If you are looking for professional medical care, find your local VA healthcare center by using the VA Facilities Locator & Directory. This page may contain links that will take you outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs website. VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of the linked websites.

 

Last updated: December 15, 2023