AIG Learning Center
The Avila Institute of Gerontology offers many opportunities for long-term care professionals to earn continuing education credit hours through webinars, on-demand recordings, and in-person events. Although it varies per program, continuing education may be available for different disciplines including Nursing Home Administrators, Nurses, Dietitians, Social Workers, Recreational Therapists and Catholic Chaplains. Check the “Continuing Education” tab to see if credit hours are available for your discipline.
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Includes a Live Web Event on 07/01/2026 at 11:30 AM (EDT)
Clinicians caring for individuals who may inquire about medical aid in dying need to be equipped to respond to such inquiries.
Overview:
Medical aid in dying (MAID) has been legalized in 13 states and the District of Columbia, with over 38% of Americans now residing in a jurisdiction where MAID is or will soon be legally available. With Oregon and Vermont having no residency requirement, any American who meets eligibility requirements and can travel to those states has access to this option. Many patients who inquire about medical aid in dying do not follow through with it, and many have no intention of doing so but are asking for other reasons, ranging from merely desiring more information about their full range of treatment options to wanting to impress upon their family the extent of their suffering. Clinicians caring for individuals who may inquire about medical aid in dying need to be equipped to respond to such inquiries. Employers of faith-based organizations have an obligation to support front-line clinicians accordingly, including through education and policy development.
As a result of this presentation the participant will be able to:
- Demonstrate compassionate, patient-centered responses to inquiries about medical aid in dying.
- Describe how the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care guide clinicians’ responses to questions about medical aid in dying.
- Identify resources to support staff experiencing moral distress around medical aid in dying.
Credit Information:
Administrators (NAB)
This program has been approved for Continuing Education for 1.50 total participant hours by NAB/NCERS—Approval #20270630-1.50-A122633-DL.
Domains of Practice:
- 1B2 Person-Centered Care and Comprehensive Care Planning
- 2B3 Ethical Conduct and Standards of Practice
- 2C6 Professional DevelopmentChaplains (NACC)
The National Association of Catholic Chaplains has approved this program for 1.5 Continuing Education Hours.
Social Workers (New York Only)
Avila Institute of Gerontology, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0265. Participants can earn 1.5 Contact Hours.
Social Worker CE approval is for New York State Social workers only. Other state licensees are not eligible to receive pre-approved credit.
Gregg Vandekieft, MD, MA
Palliative Care Physician, Clinical Ethicist
Providence St. Peter Hospital
Dr. Gregg K. Vandekieft is a palliative care physician and clinical ethicist in Olympia, WA, who also served as a hospice medical director and small-town family physician for many years. He co-founded inpatient palliative care at three hospitals and an outpatient palliative care clinic. He is Medical Director for the Washington Rural Palliative Care Initiative and Clinical Professor of Family Medicine at the University of Washington. He received the 2018 Hastings Center Cunniff-Dixon Physician Award in the Senior Physician category and the 2017 Stuart J. Farber Award for Excellence in Hospice and Palliative Care.
Please click the link below to view the webinar flyer.
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Register
- Individual - $45
- Carmelite Home staff - $45
- Sisters Aging Well Together - $45
- AIG Staff - Free!
- AIG Faculty - Free!
- More Information
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This session, led by Kate Fassbender, Alfred Norwood, and Clare Horn, explores the role of faith and spirituality in enhancing the quality of life for residents, particularly those living with dementia. Presenters will examine how supporting a resident’s ability to engage in their faith practices can contribute to holistic, person-centered care. The session will offer practical strategies for incorporating religious traditions into daily care routines and emphasize the importance of including faith in individualized care plans. Additionally, participants will gain insight into the neurological impact of faith engagement and how this understanding can inform more compassionate and effective caregiving.
Webinar Description
This session supports the professional development of long-term care administrators by emphasizing the importance of holistic, person-centered care. It highlights how recognizing and supporting a resident’s spirituality and faith practices contributes to overall well-being and quality of life. By equipping administrators with knowledge of strategies to integrate faith into care planning, administrators can utilize their leadership to foster inclusive, responsive environments.
Learning Outcomes
Participants will be able to:
1. Identify the role that spiritual practices play in a resident’s well-being and how supporting them enhances holistic, person-centered care.
2. Explain how cognitive decline can impact a person’s ability to connect with their spirituality and engage in meaningful spiritual or religious practices.
3. Integrate individualized spiritual or faith practices into the care of residents living with dementia.
Board Approvals
Administrators (NAB)
This program has been approved for Continuing Education for 1.25 total participant hours by NAB/NCERS—Approval #20270101-1.25-A118254-DL.New York State Social Workers
Avila Institute of Gerontology, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0265. Participants can earn 1.25 Contact Hours. Social Worker CE approval is for New York State Social workers only. Other state licensees are not eligible to receive pre-approved credit.REMINDER: Some Boards/States do not accept Clock Hours for on-demand recordings or limit the amount of Continuing Education Units from on-demand recordings. Please check with your State concerning its requirements.
More Information
If you have any questions or concerns about this program, please contact us at support@avilainstitute.org.
Registrants seeking continuing education will be asked to watch the On-Demand Recording in full, pass a post-test, and submit an evaluation form.
- Administrators (NAB): This program has been approved for Continuing Education for 1.25 total participant hours by NAB/NCERS—Approval #20270101-1.25-A118254-DL.
- New York State Social Workers: Avila Institute of Gerontology, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0265. Participants can earn 1.25 Contact Hours. Social Worker CE approval is for New York State Social workers only. Other state licensees are not eligible to receive pre-approved credit.
REMINDER: Some Boards/States do not accept Clock Hours for on-demand recordings or limit the amount of Continuing Education Units from on-demand recordings. Please check with your State concerning its requirements.
Clare L. Horn, LCSW
Faculty
Avila Institute of Gerontology, Inc.
Clare is a licensed social worker who has worked with the elderly for over 25 years, serving as a director of social work in various nursing homes and rehabilitation centers. She provides consultation and education on various topics in aging to residents, families, and staff.
Clare L. Horn received her undergraduate degree from Marymount College, Tarrytown, NY, a M.S. Ed. from Hofstra University, and a M.S.W. from Fordham University, where she also completed her doctoral courses. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New York State. She holds membership in the Academy of Certified Social Workers and the National Association of Social Workers. She has worked with the elderly and served as Director of Social Work for over 25 years in Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Centers. In November 2016, under Ms. Horn’s leadership at The New Jewish Home, the dementia unit received Comfort Matters Accreditation.
Ms. Horn has educated staff and families in palliative care and the ‘person-directed care’ program. She has presented at conferences and meetings on topics related to social work, dementia, palliative, and person-centered care. She has served for 21 years on the board of directors of Marian Woods, a NYS Department of Health Adult Care Facility, and Convent for women religious in Westchester County and has recently transitioned to serving on their program and quality assurance committee. Ms. Horn is a member of the Institute Formation Commission of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary. She is on the faculty of the Avila Institute of Gerontology.
Alfred Norwood, BS, MBA
Faculty
Avila Institute of Gerontology, Inc.
Alfred is an expert in behavioral psychology who has worked with the Avila Institute for the last 15 years, researching, developing, and presenting workshops and in-services on a number of topics associated with aging and dementia. He has many years of experience working as a consultant for long-term care systems and facilities and has trained staff in the use of non-pharmaceutical, individualized care plans for long-term care and assisted living residents living with mild cognitive impairment to severe dementia.
Kathryne Fassbender, BS, CDCS
Faculty
Avila Institute of Gerontology
Kathryne (Kate) Fassbender accompanies those on their dementia journey. By magnifying the importance of creativity, faith, and human connection, she provides creative care, education, and innovative ways to look at how we live with dementia. Kate is a classically trained musician, visual artist, and theater maker, with an academic foundation in arts therapies. A native of Wisconsin, she now calls the East Coast home.
Kathryne earned her B.S. in Art Therapy from Edgewood College, with continued education in Drama Therapy. After nearly a decade in Life Enrichment, she moved on to be an educator and speaker working with families and professional care partners alike. Upon starting her own business, Kathryne found ways to balance both practicing her craft in arts and health and sharing with others the knowledge gained as both a professional and family carer. Kathryne, in addition to running two organizations of her own, serves on the Faculty of the Avila Institute of Gerontology.-
Register
- Individual - $45
- Sisters Aging Well Together - $35
- AIG Staff - Free!
- AIG Faculty - Free!
- More Information