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Methods: This is a single group, pre and post test research design. The service-learning activities were provided by 4th-year nursing students in a five-year Junior College located in southern Taiwan. Each service-learning activity was provided 2 hours a week for six weeks in a morning of weekday. During the service-learning activities performed, students not only accompany elders, but also review elders’ prior life with elders.
Results: There were 52 elders living in a long-term care facility in southern Taiwan participated in the study, Results showed that no statistically significant changes in mood status (t = 0.825) and self-esteem (t = 0.084). Although the self-perceived health status have improved, but no statistical significant improved in self-perceived physical health (t = 3.071) and mental health (t = 2.537). Hence, elders’ life satisfaction score showed statistical significant declined (t = 2.537). These results might relate to a short period of service-learning activities provided. Elders might feel unhappy due to lack of student visits.
Conclusion: Nursing faculties who plan service-learning activities in the curriculum, teachers should prepare students knowledge and skills on how to say goodbye with elders, and than to decrease elders’ separation anxiety. Hence, continuing social visits might be provided to decrease elders’ feeling of loss. Elders might increase their life satisfaction, improve mood status and self-esteem.