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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Alicia Curtin, PhD GNP and Diane C. Martins, PhD, RN. Community Health Nursing, University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, 285 Old Westport Road, North Dartmouth, MA 02747, 508-9998749, jjmartins@cox.net

Introduction: With the growth of our aging population, public health nursing students need to be adept at assessing the functional, cognitive, and psychosocial status of older adults in the community. Integrating geriatric assessment into the community health practicum enhances the nursing students' ability to develop effective interventions and contribute to the older adult's quality and healthy years of life.

Purpose: To develop an educational strategy to enhance geriatric competencies, knowledge, skills and attitudes in caring for older adults in the community. This is accomplished by integrating geriatric assessment and evaluation in the public health setting.

Method: During a community health nursing practicum, junior and senior level baccalaureate nursing students visit older adults weekly in an senior, subidized-housing complex. The initial orientation includes an introduction to the population being served at the site before the home visits begin. In addition, the students are oriented to use of the tools by demonstration and role modeling. Geriatric assessment tools include the Fall Risk Assessment, Geriatric Depression Scale and Care Giver Strain Index. A self-evaluation tool based on geriatric competencies is completed pre and post practicum.

Results & Conclusion: Preliminary results indicate students' initial self assessment is rated as fair to good. The students appreciate the focused assessments in developing the therapeutic relationship and individualizing the care plans for the older adults in the home setting. This educational strategy prepares students in the proper assessment and evaluation of older adults in the community and is important in shaping the future of our health care system.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the need for focused geriatric assessments in the public health setting.
• Describe an educational strategy to enhance geriatric competencies among student nurses in the public health nursing practicum.
• Evaluate student ability in performing geriatric assessments in a public health setting.

Keywords: Nursing Education, Aging

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation