Welcome to the Northwest Geriatric Education Center (NWGEC) Web Site. As an interdisciplinary center at the University of Washington dedicated to improving health outcomes and quality of life for older adults, NWGEC is one of a national network of 45 GECs funded by the Bureau of Health Professions of the Health Resources and Services Administration. NWGEC conducts health promotion training programs and develops education resources for health care and social service professionals working with older adults. Established in 1985, NWGEC's programs address health concerns specific to older adults in the Pacific Northwest-- Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho.

In our region, there are substantial numbers of older adults who do not have access to appropriate health promotion interventions or programs. Promoting the health of older adults constitutes one of the most important ways of preventing disease, postponing disability, and maintaining function. NWGEC’s interrelated activities are directed to preparing, mobilizing and supporting community providers in applying effective health promotion interventions to the older adults in their care.

NWGEC provides training opportunities (both group and individualized/distance learning), technical assistance, and educational resources to prepare community-based providers to establish appropriate health promotion interventions with their older clients. A special feature of our program is our 28-title Curriculum Modules Series on physical and mental health conditions amenable to health promotion interventions.

I invite you to browse our site for descriptions of our many activities and resources as well as links to other related Web resources.

Itamar B. Abrass, M.D.
Director, Northwest Geriatric Education Center
Professor and Division Head, Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine
University of Washington

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