267208 Wellness for Mature Populations

Monday, October 29, 2012 : 12:50 PM - 1:10 PM

Sharon Starr, MSN, RN , School of Nursing, La Salle University, Philadelphia, PA
Denise Bailey, EdD, MEd, MSN, RN, CSN , School of Nursing and Health Sciences, La Salle University, Philadelphia, PA
Anita Gill, MSN , School of Nursing and Health Sciences, Lasalle University, Philadelphia, PA
The communities surrounding a nursing center host a higher than city-wide percentage of mature and older adults, many of whom are low income minorities. A survey of urban mature and aging populations reflects the leading causes of death as those of state and national statistics. State data showed that 45 – 64 year olds died from cancer, heart disease, accidents, respiratory disease, and stroke while data for older populations of 65 -85 show that death occurred from cancer, heart disease, respiratory disease, stroke, and diabetes. Many adults of this age have some access to medical care. This health intervention program targets mature and older adults for health promotion about managing chronic disease and preventing disability and death. Nurses educate adults about their role in obtaining and using health insurance and their medical providers, as well as knowledge and skills about their health problems and health promotion activities. The nursing team also provides health screening, and referral and follow-up using the nursing center laboratory and plans vaccine administration to local communities. Collaboration with community leaders and medical providers enhance the positive effects of wellness interventions. The wellness center approach will be discussed with a view of early lessons learned, funding resources, successes and challenges. Recommendations for improvement and sustainability will be discussed.

Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health education
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Chronic disease management and prevention
Program planning
Public health or related nursing

Learning Objectives:
Participants will have an opportunity to: 1. discuss the formation of an urban wellness center targeting urban adults. 2. discuss the operation of an urban wellness center targeting urban adults. 3. discuss the outcomes of an urban wellness center targeting urban adults.

Keywords: Adult Health, Access to Health Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I practice as a public health nurse in a nursing center and provide clinical leadership for this program.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.