PURPOSE: To address health disparities through development and implementation of interdisciplinary health promotion programs: increase health literacy; promote positive health behaviors and attitudes; improve overall health status of program participants; expose allied health students to careers in aging. METHOD: A program was established to provide health education programming at 11 Miami-Dade County senior public housing sites. In cooperation with the schools of social work and nursing and the departments of occupational therapy, physical therapy and dietetics and nutrition, multidisciplinary teams of students were created. A programming assessment was designed to identify knowledge deficiencies and health topics of concern and interest to program participants. The multidisciplinary teams developed and implemented site specific programming. A brief participant satisfaction survey was developed. Students were surveyed on their knowledge and attitudes on aging and older adults. RESULTS: Participants described their time as very well spent and desired to have health promotion activities repeated. Changes in life styles were observed when program participants took the initiative and independently organized health promotion activities in the absence of program staff. Students and faculty displayed significant (p<.05) shifts in preference towards working with older adults, and an expansion of scientific and practical horizons. CONCLUSION: Health promotion programming resulted in positive lifestyle change and sense of well being for program participants. Students and faculty, provided the opportunity to work with older adults in community health promotion settings, demonstrated a significant change in population preference favoring older adults.
Learning Objectives: 1.Understand the foundations of developing community-based wellness programs for seniors 2.Discuss the use of interdisciplinary allied health teams in community settings 3.Recognize working with older adults impacts graduate student’s career choices favoring older adults
Keywords: Minority Health, Aging
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.