Newsletter

December 2025

Monthly Update

On behalf of the APU GWEP grant, we hope you had a wonderful holiday season. The end of the year is always a wonderful time to recuperate, recover, and reflect on the past year. As we welcome and begin 2026, we renew our energies to educate and train professionals to provide integrated, person-centered support that truly meets the needs of this growing population.

In 2025, we made meaningful progress toward this goal. We finalized the curriculum for our California Gerontological Registered Apprenticeship Program, creating a structured pathway to train direct care workers (the dedicated frontline staff who help with everyday needs in homes, nursing facilities, and assisted living settings), ensuring they gain specialized skills in compassionate geriatric care and clear opportunities for professional growth. We also deepened partnerships with primary care sites through nursing home site visits, ongoing coordination, and contracts for technologies like remote patient monitoring (RPM). All of which has helped us to provide these facilities with better education and training in geriatrics.

In 2026, we’re actively rolling out enhanced longitudinal interprofessional clinical rotations for students from multiple fields, including nursing, medicine, physical therapy, psychology, social work, and spiritual care, to collaborate in real geriatric settings. These extended, hands-on training rotations incorporate improvements based on previous student feedback, insights from interprofessional faculty, and guidance from our community partners to make the training more effective and impactful. We plan to fully implement the apprenticeship program by the end of next year (2027), assist our partnered sites to become recognized by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement as Age-Friendly Health Systems, and continue advancing innovative tools for equitable, high-quality care that benefits older adults and their families.

This year, we are energized more than ever to make a meaningful impact in geriatric education. Whether you’re a student exploring geriatric training, a healthcare professional seeking resources, a caregiver looking for support, or simply someone interested in age-friendly care, we invite you to browse our site and the rest of this newsletter for more details on our programs.

Happy New Year!

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind . . .” Romans 12:2

– Dr. David V. Picella, PhD, FNP, CNS, GS-C, CPG

What’s Up Next

Upcoming Events

1st Speaker of January:

Karen D. French, DNP

Seminar Title: Osteoporosis: Time to Screen and Treat!

Register Now

Presentation Date: 1/16/2026

Presentation Time: 11:00 AM

Seminar Details: This presentation will go over the identification, screening, and management of osteoporosis in primary care. It aims to equip healthcare providers with the tools to recognize at-risk patients—particularly perimenopausal and older women—and to utilize screening methods like the FRAX tool and DXA scans to stratify risk and prevent “silent” fragility fractures. The presentation will detail the pathophysiology of bone loss, the significant societal and financial impact of the condition, and comprehensive treatment options ranging from lifestyle modifications (like calcium, Vitamin D, and weight-bearing exercise) to pharmacological therapies such as bisphosphonates, denosumab, and anabolic agents. Ultimately, the goal is to promote proactive screening and effective long-term monitoring to reduce the high incidence of fractures and improve the quality of life for aging populations.

Speaker Bio: Dr. Karen D French is a Family Nurse Practitioner. She is both a practicing NP as well as the Chair of the APRN department and an Associate Professor at Azusa Pacific University. She loves to combine teaching with being an active Family Nurse Practitioner, practicing in a hepatology and GI private practice. Her area of scholarship and publications are focused on osteoporosis and increasing screening in high-risk populations. Her acute care clinical background was in critical care, open-heart, CCU, school nursing, and home health care for high-risk infants. She and her husband live and thrive in San Clemente, CA.

Seminar Objectives:

  • Participants will be able to identify those patients at risk for osteoporosis
  • Participants will be able to use various tools to appropriately screen women, stratifying by risk and making appropriate referrals for bone densitometry.
  • To incorporate screening for osteoporosis as part of the well woman exam for perimenopausal women and older. 
  • Learners will be able to determine first line medications for use in primary care, and when to refer to specialty. 

2nd Speaker of January:

Catherine Heinlein, EdD

Seminar Title: Management of Diabetes in Older Adults and Diet

Register Now

Presentation Date: 1/27/2026

Presentation Time: 12:00 AM

Speaker Bio: Catherine Heinlein, EdD, MSN, FNP-BC, RDN, CDCES, focuses her practice on helping individuals take control of their physical, mental, and spiritual health by setting and achieving personal goals for long-term well-being. She is accomplished in curriculum development, implementation, and enhancement. With extensive experience as a registered dietitian nutritionist, registered nurse, certified diabetes care and education specialist, college educator, and global health leader, Heinlein brings a wealth of expertise. Her doctoral training supports her specialization in communication theory, decision-making, planning, and program evaluation. Heinlein is committed to guiding nursing students—both locally and globally—in achieving their full professional potential. She considers ongoing mentorship not only a responsibility but a personal ministry.

1st Speaker of January:

Karen D. French, DNP

Seminar Title: Osteoporosis: Time to Screen and Treat!

Register Now

Presentation Date: 1/16/2026

Presentation Time: 11:00 AM

Seminar Details: This presentation will go over the identification, screening, and management of osteoporosis in primary care. It aims to equip healthcare providers with the tools to recognize at-risk patients—particularly perimenopausal and older women—and to utilize screening methods like the FRAX tool and DXA scans to stratify risk and prevent “silent” fragility fractures. The presentation will detail the pathophysiology of bone loss, the significant societal and financial impact of the condition, and comprehensive treatment options ranging from lifestyle modifications (like calcium, Vitamin D, and weight-bearing exercise) to pharmacological therapies such as bisphosphonates, denosumab, and anabolic agents. Ultimately, the goal is to promote proactive screening and effective long-term monitoring to reduce the high incidence of fractures and improve the quality of life for aging populations.

Speaker Bio: Dr. Karen D French is a Family Nurse Practitioner. She is both a practicing NP as well as the Chair of the APRN department and an Associate Professor at Azusa Pacific University. She loves to combine teaching with being an active Family Nurse Practitioner, practicing in a hepatology and GI private practice. Her area of scholarship and publications are focused on osteoporosis and increasing screening in high-risk populations. Her acute care clinical background was in critical care, open-heart, CCU, school nursing, and home health care for high-risk infants. She and her husband live and thrive in San Clemente, CA.

Seminar Objectives:

  • Participants will be able to identify those patients at risk for osteoporosis
  • Participants will be able to use various tools to appropriately screen women, stratifying by risk and making appropriate referrals for bone densitometry.
  • To incorporate screening for osteoporosis as part of the well woman exam for perimenopausal women and older. 
  • Learners will be able to determine first line medications for use in primary care, and when to refer to specialty. 

2nd Speaker of January:

Catherine Heinlein, EdD

Seminar Title: Management of Diabetes in Older Adults and Diet

Register Now

Presentation Date: 1/27/2026

Presentation Time: 12:00 AM

Speaker Bio: Catherine Heinlein, EdD, MSN, FNP-BC, RDN, CDCES, focuses her practice on helping individuals take control of their physical, mental, and spiritual health by setting and achieving personal goals for long-term well-being. She is accomplished in curriculum development, implementation, and enhancement. With extensive experience as a registered dietitian nutritionist, registered nurse, certified diabetes care and education specialist, college educator, and global health leader, Heinlein brings a wealth of expertise. Her doctoral training supports her specialization in communication theory, decision-making, planning, and program evaluation. Heinlein is committed to guiding nursing students—both locally and globally—in achieving their full professional potential. She considers ongoing mentorship not only a responsibility but a personal ministry.

Monthly Article

The Evolving Landscape of Telehealth in Geriatrics: Inclusive, Innovative, and Person-Centered

Written by Dr. David Picella

Telehealth continues to revolutionize geriatric care, particularly for homebound older adults, by providing convenient access that reduces transportation barriers, supports effective chronic condition management, and helps combat loneliness through improved mental health support. Telehealth encompasses a broad range of remote healthcare services, including patient education, monitoring, coordination, advice, reminders, and intervention, delivered via telecommunication technologies to support comprehensive care management. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated its adoption, and as of January 2026- with Medicare flexibilities extended through January 30, 2026, including . . .

Read The Full Article Here

December 2025

Geriatric News

News Articles:

How the Brain Protects Itself from Alzheimer’s Disease

Researchers at Yale discovered that a protein called Glyoxalase 1 (GLO1) acts as a natural defense mechanism by detoxifying the brain from harmful calcium “leaks” that contribute to Alzheimer’s disease. The study found that this protective process naturally declines with age, suggesting that developing treatments to maintain GLO1 activity could help prevent neurodegeneration.

Website Link

How the Brain Protects Itself from Alzheimer’s Disease

Researchers at Yale discovered that a protein called Glyoxalase 1 (GLO1) acts as a natural defense mechanism by detoxifying the brain from harmful calcium “leaks” that contribute to Alzheimer’s disease. The study found that this protective process naturally declines with age, suggesting that developing treatments to maintain GLO1 activity could help prevent neurodegeneration.

Website Link

New research examines the impacts of financial strain on adult caregivers

This article describes research from the Yale School of Public Health which found that financial strain serves as a relational stressor that increases depressive symptoms for both adult caregivers and their parents. The study suggests that the subjective feeling of financial hardship significantly impacts the mental health of both generations, particularly in families navigating care for dementia or depression.

Website Link

New research examines the impacts of financial strain on adult caregivers

This article describes research from the Yale School of Public Health which found that financial strain serves as a relational stressor that increases depressive symptoms for both adult caregivers and their parents. The study suggests that the subjective feeling of financial hardship significantly impacts the mental health of both generations, particularly in families navigating care for dementia or depression.

Website Link

From ChatGPT to strength training: Here’s how 100-year-olds are thriving

This NPR article discusses a survey of American centenarians that highlights how they maintain their health and vitality through a combination of regular exercise, strong social connections, and an openness to modern technology like video games. It emphasizes that reaching the age of 100 is often the result of daily lifestyle choices and a positive outlook rather than just genetic luck.

Website Link

From ChatGPT to strength training: Here’s how 100-year-olds are thriving

This NPR article discusses a survey of American centenarians that highlights how they maintain their health and vitality through a combination of regular exercise, strong social connections, and an openness to modern technology like video games. It emphasizes that reaching the age of 100 is often the result of daily lifestyle choices and a positive outlook rather than just genetic luck.

Website Link

October 2025

New and Upcoming Research

Other Research Articles:

Air Conditioning in Nursing Homes and Mortality During Extreme Heat

This case-crossover study conducted in Ontario, Canada, found that nursing home residents in facilities without air conditioning (AC) faced significantly higher mortality rates during extreme heat days compared to those in facilities with AC. The findings highlight that providing AC in congregate care settings is a crucial intervention for preventing heat-related deaths among vulnerable older adults.

Website Link

Air Conditioning in Nursing Homes and Mortality During Extreme Heat

This case-crossover study conducted in Ontario, Canada, found that nursing home residents in facilities without air conditioning (AC) faced significantly higher mortality rates during extreme heat days compared to those in facilities with AC. The findings highlight that providing AC in congregate care settings is a crucial intervention for preventing heat-related deaths among vulnerable older adults.

Website Link

Health Care Contact Days in Older Adults With Metastatic Cancer

This cohort study examines the time burden of healthcare for older Medicare beneficiaries with common metastatic cancers, finding they spend an average of 40.1 to 62.9 days in the year after diagnosis interacting with the medical system outside their homes. The results show that these “health care contact days” increased significantly between 2008 and 2019, suggesting that treatment advancements and potential care inefficiencies are placing a growing time burden on these patients.

Website Link

Health Care Contact Days in Older Adults With Metastatic Cancer

This cohort study examines the time burden of healthcare for older Medicare beneficiaries with common metastatic cancers, finding they spend an average of 40.1 to 62.9 days in the year after diagnosis interacting with the medical system outside their homes. The results show that these “health care contact days” increased significantly between 2008 and 2019, suggesting that treatment advancements and potential care inefficiencies are placing a growing time burden on these patients.

Website Link

Biomechanical Mechanisms Underlying the Effect of Minimalist Footwear on Walking Stability in Persons With a History of Falls

This article investigates the biomechanical and neuromuscular mechanisms by which minimalist footwear influences walking stability in older adults with a history of falls. The study concludes that minimalist shoes promote a more active and controlled walking strategy through increased muscle activity and altered joint power, adaptations that remain consistent even when the individual is under cognitive load.

Website Link

Biomechanical Mechanisms Underlying the Effect of Minimalist Footwear on Walking Stability in Persons With a History of Falls

This article investigates the biomechanical and neuromuscular mechanisms by which minimalist footwear influences walking stability in older adults with a history of falls. The study concludes that minimalist shoes promote a more active and controlled walking strategy through increased muscle activity and altered joint power, adaptations that remain consistent even when the individual is under cognitive load.

Website Link

Thank You For Reading This Month’s Newsletter

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