This
highly interactive and experiential course examines popular
issues associated with aging and the real-life experiences
of Delaware's senior residents. The course has evolved into
a three-credit, Web enhanced nursing elective on the health
issues of older adults.
Students
use films, television programs, and the print media as catalysts
for discussions of their beliefs about aging and explore
the cultural and family influences on those attitudes. The
students visit community agencies that support housing,
safety, informed choice, and daily living needs of the elderly,
attend national geriatric conferences, and interview senior
citizens about their aging and health customs. After selecting
a chronic health condition common among older adults, each
student identifies local health resources to help address
that condition. In addition, students play geriatric-related
board games to inspire creative analysis of conditions and
their treatments.
Students
consistently report "exceeds expectation" for
all items on the course evaluation form, which include course
content, classroom professor and course objectives. The
instructors, Dr. Susan Loeb and Ms. Jean Raymond, report
that they are impressed with the students' universal open-mindedness
and sensitivity toward the elderly population that are enhanced
in this unique classroom environment. Ms. Raymond taught
the initial pilot course, and Dr. Loeb has taught subsequent
courses.
Lisa
Plowfield, PhD, RN
Associate Professor
Chair, Department of Nursing
(302) 831-0655
plow@udel.edu
|
