Celebrating Community Partners: University of Illinois - Chicago
As we continue to observe Older Americans Month here at Senior Moments from H.O.M.E., we’d like to celebrate one of our community partnerships that have a direct impact on our shared living residents at Pat Crowley House and at Nathalie Salmon House.
For four years, Dr. Richard Stringham and his medical students from the University of Illinois Chicago have worked with H.O.M.E. through their Patient-centered Medicine Scholars program. In their geriatric clinical rounds, the students are connected to clients who live in H.O.M.E.’s intergenerational residences.
Learning from one another
Ruth, who graduated from UIC Medical School this spring, participated in the program for four years. She stated that she expected that she would spend her time in the program educating clients; she was surprised to find that clients taught her a lot, too.
Students learn concrete concepts related to geriatric care in classrooms, such as the importance of legal documents such as Durable Power of Attorney or Do Not Resuscitate Orders; but it is through experiential learning that they acquire the skill and ability to approach sensitive subjects such as death and dying with clients.
Dr. Stringham emphasized, too, that he wants students to learn more about the process of aging. He wants them to see that mature clients are not simply in a declining stage of life, but that they can lead vibrant lives that have meaning with many interests. He says that learning this perspective helps students take the time to deliver healthcare with the senior’s lifestyle in mind. Given that the United States is facing a shortage of over 10,100 geriatricians today, it is even more that students are given training in geriatric care.
Safe Today. Healthy Tomorrow.
Part of the medical students’ program is to work with the client to create an action plan around the client’s own health goals. Some of the medical students help clients learn more about their medications, others help with internet literacy, while still others help clients obtain public transportation passes. How do these steps help keep clients healthy?
Ruth says it helps a lot! She says many of the personal goals, like gaining access to public transportation or to the internet, can help clients more easily get the healthcare and information they need. More than that, Ruth finds that the conversations and activities that the clients complete are therapeutic for them. She sees that achieving goals that they set for themselves makes them happy and builds trust with clients.
Dr. Stringham agrees and points out that the key to quality healthcare, especially for seniors, is to take an interdisciplinary team approach to providing healthcare. Building trust and giving seniors more folks with different perspectives to talk to increases clients’ ability to access the care they need. As we pointed out last week in our tips for fall prevention, having a conversation and asking the right questions are key ways to help keeping seniors safe.
How you can help
Dr. Stringham also plays the saxophone for our residents to thank them for being a part of
their program. One of his favorite moments working with H.O.M.E. was during one of these performances. A resident, who had been unwell for several weeks, rarely leaving her bedroom, heard Dr. Stringham’s music and slowly made her way to the living room.
Dr. Stringham noticed Rose Marie was tapping her feet to the music. After the performance, she told him that her husband had played in a band and that the song he played reminded her so of him. Dr. Stringham was touched that he was able to compel such a wonderful memory that gave her the strength to join in on the social activity.
Giving your time to help keep seniors “Safe Today. Healthy Tomorrow.” can be as simple as sharing your own talents or a meal with seniors at H.O.M.E. Click the link below to find out how you can volunteer in honor of Older Americans Month.
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