San Antonio GRECC
The San Antonio GRECC has been serving older Veterans in Central and South Texas since 1987.
Research Focus Areas
Metabolism/Inflammation
Cognitive Disorders
Oral Disease
Sarcopenia/Frailty/Excercise
Research
The San Antonio GRECC has an active research program devoted to developing newer and better ways to improve the health and quality-of-life of older Veterans. Our research is focused on gaining a better understanding of the basic mechanisms of aging, as well as the pathophysiology of metabolic and inflammatory conditions that affect the lives of millions of aging Veterans. Our current research focus is centered on two broad themes: Metabolism and Inflammation. Individual projects focus on diabetes, diabetic nephropathy, nonalcoholic liver disease, frailty, sarcopenia, Alzheimer‘s disease, Lewy body disease, ALS, Parkinson‘s disease, cancer, and salivary hypofunction. Our projects are aimed at understanding the basic biology of aging, the mechanisms regulating longevity, and the pathophysiology of age-related diseases.
Education and Evaluation
The San Antonio GRECC aims to maximize our impact on education, training, and career development in South Texas. In partnership with the San Antonio Geriatrics and Extended Care (GEC) services, the San Antonio GRECC provides primary education sites for health care professionals engaged in geriatrics and gerontology training. Our educational programs are co-sponsored by our academic partner, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA). UTHSCSA partners include the Center for Healthy Aging; the Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies; and the San Antonio Pepper Center. Formal San Antonio GRECC learners include a Special Advanced Fellow in Geriatrics and associated health trainees in the disciplines of pharmacy, social work, chaplaincy, psychology and occupational therapy. San Antonio GRECC associated learners include fellows in geriatric medicine, psychiatry, dentistry, inter-professional fellows in Hospice and Palliative Care (medicine, nursing, psychology, social work, chaplaincy and pharmacy), pain and oncology fellows, medical residents (internal medicine, family medicine, psychiatry, rehabilitation, and anesthesiology), medical students and nursing students.
Clinical
The San Antonio GRECC has a strong commitment to improving the care of older Veterans in South Texas. We work together with Geriatrics and Extended Care (G/EC) to conduct clinical demonstration projects and quality improvement projects, all aimed at developing better ways to care for older Veterans. We provide a robust clinical and research environment for clinical training and research education of trainees in geriatric medicine at multiple levels (students, residents, and fellows). Sample GRECC clinical projects include a walking clinic, enhanced medication education and reconciliation for Veterans transitioning from hospital to home, e-consults for rural Veterans, and dementia caregiver support and education.
