AIG’s Geriatric Certificate Program
for U.S. Women Religious Congregations
The Avila Institute of Gerontology (AIG), in partnership with the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation’s Catholic Sisters Initiative, is pleased to make available scholarships for the AIG’s Geriatric Certificate Program (GCP), as part of their Sisters Aging Well Together initiative.
A Privileged Ministry Within Ministry: A Practical Approach
The goal of the Geriatric Certificate Program (GCP) is to provide communities with opportunities for discussion on aging concerns facing religious women today and provide an assessment tool that addresses a proactive approach to elder concerns. Each community will learn techniques through education and training on how to implement solutions for identified needs.
The program will enable scholarship recipients to:
- Build a foundational understanding of aging issues and strategies to cope with them,
- Receive an overview of different care center models, and
- Receive training on tools to help assess your Congregation in caring for elder sisters, interpret the results, and enable you to plan for the care of your elders in the future.
Scholarships Are Available
The scholarship, valued at $2,000 per sister, covers the following:
In-Person Geriatric Certificate Program Training
An in-person Geriatric Certificate Program for religious congregations over a four-day period including room and board (travel and local transportation not included).
Three dates and locations for 2025:
- Germantown, NY: May 19-22, 2025
Carmelite Sisters for the Aged and Infirm’s Motherhouse - Marriottsville, MD: July 8-11, 2025
Bon Secours Retreat & Conference Center
Available One-Hour Virtual Discussion Every Other Month
Every other month a one-hour virtual discussion on the following topics:
- Customized content based on participants’ pressing needs to be identified throughout the discussions.
- Continued training on the AIG Care Transitions Assessment tool (CTA) and interpreting the results.
Access to the AIG Online Subscription Library
- Free access to all programs and Religious Community specific content for one year.
To qualify for a scholarship, applicants must commit to the following:
- Attend and actively participate in one of the three four-day in-person GCPs.
- Attend and actively participate in at least one of the every other month virtual discussions following GCP attendance.
- Implement at least one part of the CTA within their Community and report back on the results.
- Train at least five (5) other sisters and report back on the results.
- Utilize the AIG online learning library.
- Complete and submit all pre/post-tests and surveys.
- Complete and submit a reflection paper.
Registration and Scholarship Applications
Thanks to the generosity of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, scholarships are available.
If you would like to be considered for a scholarship, please complete and submit the online registration form or you can download and complete the PDF registration form.
Scholarship Deadlines
May 19-22, 2025 in Germantown, NY | Deadline March 28, 2025
July 8-11, 2025 in Marriottsville, MD | Deadline May 2, 2025
Our objective is to distribute scholarships to Sisters in as many Communities as possible. All registrants will be notified whether they are receiving a scholarship within two weeks of registration form receipt.
If you plan to attend and are not seeking a scholarship, please download and complete the PDF registration form and send with your payment.
Space is limited, so please do not delay in submitting your registration form.
Want to Learn More or Have Questions?
Thank you for your interest in our "Sisters Aging Well Together" Geriatric Certificate Program. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us by calling 518-537-5000, emailing info@avilainstitute.org, or by filling out the form below.