Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association (GAPNA)

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources

In an effort to support our members with the most updated information on COVID-19 we developed this resource page to easily access current CDC information and other resources to assist you professionally and personally.

We will continue to update this page with more information as it becomes available and welcome your input as we navigate through this situation. As health care professionals it is our job to educate our patients and families on prevention and the what to do if someone is symptomatic.

View resources

Facing Forward: Mental Health in Older Adults Now and During COVID-19 Crisis

Posted/Updated May 13, 2020 - 10:00am

In this video, GAPNA 2020 National President Deborah Dunn, EdD, MSN, GNP-BC, ACNS-BC, GS-C interviews Dr. George Peraza-Smith about older adults' mental health - now, and during the COVID-19 crisis.

GAPNA Leaders Featured in ANA Journal Article

Posted/Updated April 13, 2020 - 5:04pm

GAPNA President Deborah Dunn and Immediate Past President Valerie Sabol were interviewed recently by the American Nurses Association for an article on refocusing health care to better serve older Americans.

Free Webinar on Antipsychotic Stewardship in Long-Term Care!

Posted/Updated April 22, 2020 - 9:20am

Thursday, April 30, 2020, 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm, US Eastern. With the many regulations and the increased attention on antipsychotic use in skilled nurse facilities, there is much to review and consider in 2020. Join us for this discussion on anti-psychotic stewardship...

A Message from GAPNA's President, Deborah Dunn

Posted/Updated April 10, 2020 - 12:16pm

View a message from GAPNA's President, Deborah Dunn: wishing you strength and courage – safety, health and all that is good. Also, view the resources for APRNs working with older adults.

CMS Webinar - COVID-19 with Nursing Homes

Posted/Updated April 8, 2020 - 8:50am

Please join the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for a call on COVID-19 with Nursing Homes tomorrow, Wednesday, April 8th at 4:30 PM EST. CMS leadership will provide updates on the agency’s latest guidance and we will be joined by leaders in the field interested in sharing best practices with their peers. The call will be recorded if you are unable to join us.

Regarding Medicare and Medicaid Home Health Services

Posted/Updated April 10, 2020 - 8:57am

The CARES Act including a provision authorizing APPs to order, certify and re-certify Medicare Home Health was signed into Law on March 27, 2020. The new Law will improve timely access to care for our vulnerable patients by permanently retiring this cumbersome federal barrier to NP practice.

Remember to Take Care of Yourself...

Posted/Updated April 7, 2020 - 12:35am

In a time when our patients need us most, we need to remember we can only serve them well if we are well - physically, mentally, and emotionally. The stress of the current situation takes its toll on even the best of us, so please don't forget to take care of yourself in whatever ways you can!

To help you, we've added a selection of personal health and wellness resources to our COVID-19 resources page, and will add more as appropriate. They're at the bottom of the resource page, just click or tap Personal Health & Wellness to see them.

CDC Issues COVID-19 Nursing Home Guidance

Posted/Updated April 7, 2020 - 12:39am

On April 3, at the direction of President Trump, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), in consultation with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), issued critical recommendations to state and local governments, as well as nursing homes, to help mitigate the spread of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in nursing homes. The recommendations build on and strengthen recent guidance from CMS and CDC related to the effective implementation of longstanding infection control procedures.

Marriott Initiates Community Caregiver Discount Program

Posted/Updated April 3, 2020 - 2:43pm

Marriott launched the Community Caregiver Program on March 27, 2020, which offers medical workers and support staff special rates at select Marriott hotels as a way to stay close to the hospitals and government buildings where they are assisting with COVID-19 response efforts.