Gateway Geriatric Education Center
Saint Louis University's Gateway Geriatric Education Center (GEC) provides tools and resources that promote the health and well-being of older adults.
About Us
The GEC educates and empowers students, health care professionals and caregivers. It offers a wide range of internal and external resources for older adult care, focusing primarily on geriatric assessment, long-term care, interprofessional training, cognitive stimulation and caregiver well-being.
Email aging@slu.edu for a complete list of available resources.
Support for the Aging Journey
SLU Mental Status Exam
GEC's most widely used tool is the SLU Mental Status exam, an assessment for cognitive impairment and dementia. It was developed in partnership with the Geriatrics Research, Education and Clinical Center at the St. Louis Veterans Administration Medical Center.
View the SLU Mental Status Exam
Rapid Geriatric Assessment
The RGA is a screening tool for frailty, nutrition, muscle mass and cognitive function. It's designed for adults aged 65 and above.
The RGA was developed by the School of Medicine's Division of Geriatric Medicine.
SLU Geriatric Evaluation Mnemonics and Screening
The SLU Geriatric Evaluation Mnemonics and Screening (GEMS) tool helps clinicians quickly and comprehensively assess, diagnose and treat common geriatric conditions.
To request a copy of the SLU GEMS booklet, email aging@slu.edu.
GLIDEPATH® Tools
Clinical GLIDEPATH® Tools are patient-centered recommendations for making complex medical decisions. The holistic guidelines were developed by combining evidence-based medicine and practice guidelines with clinical experience and patient preferences. Features include:
- Guidance specific to geriatric patients
- Focus on common problems in everyday practices
- Patient categories based on life expectancy and functional status
- Contextual, adaptive decision-making
Fall Prevention
Not all falls can be prevented, but it's possible to minimize the risk of falling. Use this assessment tool to identify specific fall risk factors. Watch the videos for tips on risk assessment, common fall hazards and safety procedures.
- View the Mini Falls Assessment Tool
- Watch the Fall Risk Assessment Video
- Watch the Fall Prevention in Nursing Homes Video
Medicare Annual Wellness Visit
The GEC helps promote Medicare Annual Wellness Visits (MAWV) — yearly consultations that are often free and provide older adults with a health care risk assessment and personalized prevention plan.
Videos and General Screening Tools
The GEC has both produced and compiled numerous videos (including some Spanish translations) on healthy aging, including, but not limited to, training in the following topics:
- Dementia care
- Multiple medication use
- Exercise and fitness
- Loneliness and social isolation
- Residential care activities
- Cognitive stimulation therapy
- Caregiver tools and well-being
For a complete list of resources — including additional screening tools for pain, nutrition and other health issues — email aging@slu.edu.