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Geriatric
Research, Education, & Clinic Center (GRECC)
The GRECCs were established by Congress through Public Law
96-330. The first Center funded under this legislation was
organized in 1975. The Little
Rock GRECC became operational
in 1976 as one of the original 5 programs. There are presently
22 GRECCs hosted by VA medical centers throughout the nation.
The major goals and purpose of all GRECCs are to advance
scientific knowledge regarding medical, psychological and
social needs of older veterans; to develop improved and innovative
models of clinical services for older veterans and to advance
the quality of education in geriatrics and gerontology throughout
the VA health care system. The GRECCs were established with
appropriate geographical distribution in mind with regard
to the VA health care system and they are to maintain affiliation
with accredited medical schools through which education and
training in geriatrics can be provided for medical residents,
nurses and allied health care students. The three aspects
of the Little Rock GRECC are summarized below:
 a.)
Research: The GRECC functions as a center
of research excellence creating an environment supportive
of research collaboration. GRECC clinical and basic research
contributes to our understanding of the physiologic and disease
related changes that occur with age and leads us to improved
health care delivery systems. In the area of research, the
Little Rock GRECC has served as a catalyst to promote clinical,
health services and basic research by bringing together experienced
investigators in the field of aging and creating an environment
which fosters close collaboration. Our major research foci
are in the following 4 areas: (1) basic mechanisms of cellular
aging; (2) the interrelationship between nutrition, physical
function and health status in the elderly; (3) osteoporosis;
and, (4) molecular and cellular mechanisms involved in the
development of Alzheimer's disease.
b.) Education and training: The education mission
of the GRECC is to educate health care professionals to better
meet the care needs of elderly veterans. The GRECC offers
education and training that addresses the need for enlightened
and competent leaders in clinical geriatrics and gerontology.
Through these education and training efforts, the GRECC continues
to play a major role promoting an interdisciplinary approach
to the care of elderly veterans. The GRECC is involved at
the local, regional, and national level in the training of
health care professionals from many disciplines. A sampling
of the education and training programs sponsored or managed
by the GRECC include: (1) Geriatric Fellowships with
2 first year and 2 second year positions; (2) Traineeships
for nursing, occupational therapy, and pharmacy students;
(3) Interdisciplinary Team Training for allied health
students and staff; (4) Medical resident and student training;
(5) Outreach continuing education and training for
faculty and staff at VAMCs in the region; (6) Staff Development
including seminars, teaching rounds, research conferences,
Geriatrics Journal Club and Geriatric Grand Rounds; and, (7)
mini-residencies and clinical practicuums for graduate students
and staff from other stations that are specifically tailored
to meet the needs of the individual.
a.) Clinical program development and evaluation:
One component of the GRECC mission has been to establish and
evaluate new clinical care models for elderly veterans. Programs
developed and assessed by the Little Rock GRECC include the
Geriatric Evaluation Unit (GEU) and Geriatric Evaluation and
Management (GEM) program; Geriatric A.C.E. (Acute Care of
Elderly) Unit; a Geriatric Consult Service; Adult Day Health
Center; Teaching Nursing Home; Geriatric FIRM; Independent
Living program; and, Hospital Based Home Care (now Home Based
Primary Care). Since its inception, the GRECC's mission for
development of new, innovative clinical services have been
carried out through the clinical Geriatric section of the
Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System.
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