| Learning Objective #1: Determine the health care needs of older adults along with the continued responsibilities to promote self-care management | |||
| Learning Objective #2: Prepare older adults to better access resources in the community and participate in health care programs |
Design and Method: A prevention assessment questionnaire of 131 closed-ended was developed. Questions addressed the functional levels, acute/chronic diseases, issues and concerns regarding normal aging, public health issues, and goals of noted in Healthy People 2010. Interviews were done at a residential site with both English and Russian speaking residents. Thirty-two residents this site completed the completed the questionnaire in English; ten residents completed the Russian translation.
Findings: Generalized needs were identified regarding advocacy services, communication techniques, resource linkages, transportation, access to services, medications, and mental health counseling. The specific health care topics related to arthritis, fall prevention, sleep, depression, forgetfulness, medication management, and pain were topics covered in scheduled health educational programs.
Outcomes/Conclusions/and Implications: Initially, this study did support the collaborative approach for case finding within this community when using a prevention assessment tool to identify and make referrals. Furthermore, this study has provided a foundation for the past seven years for a clinical practicum for senior nursing students doing health teaching, case management/referrals, and most recently “Ask a Nurse” computer assisted health education. Students have ranked this clinical experience as positive with continued interest in working towards advanced certification, volunteerism in their own communities, stronger personal relationships within their own family, and also promotion of their own self-care.
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Sigma Theta Tau International
July 21, 2004