PACERS | South Central MIRECC

About Program for Advancing Cognitive disorders Education for Rural Staff (PACERS)
PACERS is for clinicians who care for Veterans with cognitive disorders. It aims to improve outcomes for Veterans and their caregivers, especially those living in rural communities. PACERS has 6 e-learning courses and 5 videos. Physicians, psychologists, nurses, social workers, and counselors can get continuing education credit for the courses. PACERS was funded by the VA Office of Rural Health. It is supported by the VA Employee Education System (EES) and SC MIRECC.
This product is a best practice.
Free CEU E-Learning
Videos
Contact
Overview
- VA clinicians use TMS buttons
- Community clinicians use TRAIN buttons
- First-time TRAIN users must create an account. Email VHATRAIN@va.gov for help.
PACERS Course 1: Dementia and Delirium (1 HOUR CEU)
Learn how to define delirium and dementia according to DSM-5 criteria.
- Identify the signs symptoms, evaluation, and treatment of delirium and dementia/dementia subtypes
- Indicate differences between delirium and dementia
- Accreditation: ACCME, ACCME-NP, APA, ANCC, NBCC, ASWB, NYSED SW
- Published 2016
PACERS Course 2: Identifying and Assessing for Dementia (1 HOUR CEU)
Learn how to identify and assess dementia.
- Identify dementia warning signs
- Describe benefits and barriers to dementia diagnosis
- List the steps of the comprehensive assessment
- Describe benefits and barriers to dementia diagnosis
- Distinguish between dementia and other illnesses with similar symptoms
- Accreditation: ACCME, ACCME-NP, APA, ANCC, NBCC, ASWB, NYSED SW
- Published 2017
PACERS Course 3: Treating Dementia - Case Studies (1 HOUR CEU)
Learn how to apply dementia diagnostic skills by completing two case-based studies of Veterans presenting with signs of cognitive impairment.
- Health care professionals can fine tune their diagnostic skills by completing a thorough evaluation
- Accreditation: ACCME, ACCME-NP, APA, ANCC, NBCC, ASWB, NYSED SW
- Published 2017
PACERS Course 4: Normal Cognitive Aging and Dementia Caregiving (1 HOUR CEU)
Learn about the differences between normal and abnormal cognitive aging and the importance of being a caregiver and available resources.
- Signs of elder abuse and neglect
- Unique experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) caregivers
- Accreditation: ACCME, ACCME-NP, APA, ANCC, NBCC, ASWB, NYSED SW
- Published 2017
PACERS Course 5: Addressing Decision Making and Safety in Dementia (1 HOUR CEU)
Learn topics related to decision-making, advanced-care planning and safety for Veterans with dementia. Specific topics include:
- Competency, capacity and consent
- Advanced care planning
- Driving and dementia
- Elder abuse
- Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender caregivers
- Accreditation: ACCME, ACCME-NP, APA, ANCC, NBCC, ASWB, NYSED SW
- Published 2017
PACERS Course 6: Driving and Dementia (1 HOUR CEU)

Learn how to address diminished driving skills and decision-making in older drivers with dementia and their families.
- Accreditation: ACCME, ACCME-NP, APA, ANCC, NBCC, ASWB, NYSED SW
- Published 2016
Disclaimer: These videos are only intended for educational purposes and does not take the place of medical advice or treatment from a medical professional.

PACERS: Driving and Dementia-Hanging up the Keys
PACERS: How to Deliver the Diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease
PACERS: How to Have an End of Life Discussion
PACERS: How to Identify Self-Neglect
Persons with Dementia: Skills for Addressing Challenging Behaviors
Email VISN16SCMIRECCEducation@va.gov for more information.
Use of these Materials and Finding VA Health Care
Please note that the health care information provided in these materials is for educational purposes only. It does not replace the role of a medical practitioner for advice on care and treatment. If you are looking for professional medical care, find your local VA healthcare center by using the VA Facilities Locator & Directory. This page may contain links that will take you outside of the Department of Veterans Affairs website. VA does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of the linked websites.
Last updated: June 4, 2024