PRESQUE ISLE and HOULTON, Maine — Northern Maine Community College honored Aroostook County senior citizens who volunteered for a nursing program initiative at a celebratory tea, held Nov. 15, 2016 in the Edmunds Conference Center in Presque Isle and at Houlton Regional Hospital via Skype.
The Well Elder program, coordinated annually by the NMCC Nursing and Allied Health department, pairs members of the first-year nursing class with healthy senior citizens who volunteer to allow students into their homes throughout the semester to practice their assessment techniques.
The unique program has been a part of the nursing curriculum at NMCC for more than a decade. The culmination of the project has involved bringing all of the students and well elders together for a celebration.
“This program allows our students to reflect and gain a broad and more balanced perspective of the aging process,” said Mary Cornelio, NMCC nursing department chair.
“It provides a unique opportunity for students to observe and experience ‘normal’ aging in the individual’s own environment. The well elders play an important role in helping to mold the future generation of nurses, and we are so appreciative of their contribution to our nursing students’ education,” Cornelio said.
At the event, students introduced their well elder and shared the most valuable lesson they learned that will help them throughout their nursing career. The attendees also heard about current issues related to elder health and educational opportunities from keynote speaker Dottie Sines of the Aroostook Area Agency on Aging.
When visiting their well elders, NMCC student nurses take vital signs, review medications, and assess home safety and general health lifestyles. Students also gain valuable experience practicing their interviewing and listening skills.
This project, Cornelio said, allows the student not only to understand the importance of assessment, communication or history gathering, but also allows them to gain a new appreciation of all the accomplishments and contributions made by the older generation.
