Aging & Social Change: Fourteenth Interdisciplinary Conference

Abstract

Community programs are needed to promote social wellbeing, physical health, and maintenance of cognition for older adults. An innovative approach to address these needs for the aging population may lie with leveraging of nursing students and partnering with community agencies. This study describes the experience of involving nursing students in health promotion for older adults by partnering with senior services of a local health department. Social isolation and loneliness are at epidemic proportions in the United States as noted by the Surgeon General (2023). These conditions are highly prevalent in older adults and can result in physical and mental health deterioration. Public health policy and programs are needed to allow older adults opportunity for civic engagement, continued learning, and promoting diversity. Nursing students are a valuable resource where teaching and learning is reciprocal. Nursing students prepared engaging informational sessions for older adults living in one suburban community. The settings were community rooms of three different public housing apartments, a community center, and a long-term care facility. Students taught older adults about dehydration, blood pressure management, stress management, and the importance of physical exercise. Students led the residents in chair yoga sessions and strength exercises. The cognitive, social, and physical activities promote social wellbeing and decrease the feelings of loneliness many older adults experience. While the older adults benefit from the learning and social engagement, nursing students demonstrate cultural humility and practice communication skills. Students learn about loss and witness the effects of social determinants on health of aging populations.