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Mansfield Nursing Students Go Right to Source on Aging Topics
By Lou Whitmire, Mansfield News Journal
April 8, 2008
Monday's conversation in the activity room at the Conard House Assisted Living facility started with talk of strong bones and how to prevent falls.
It ended up with a chat about bingo and an ice cream social.
Students in an accelerated program at MedCentral College of Nursing finished an eight-week gerontology unit at the Blymyer Avenue facility with informative presentations on health-related issues. But that's not all they discussed.
Martha Souder, 95, said her physician years ago told her that each morning before getting out of bed she should "sit up 'til you get your bearings."
"That's something I still do," she said.
Several residents listened to students, who provided tips aimed at helping them lead healthier lives.
But the residents were also quick to share some of their own experiences.
Florence Rohn, 95, wasn't about to reveal all her health secrets. But she did relate to the perils of falling.
"I fell over a foot stool trying to get to the telephone once," she said after a presentation about keeping traffic areas clear of obstacles, especially electric cords and throw rugs.
Nursing student Erin Locke, of Brighton, Mich., showed residents how to exercise their arms by lifting a small carton of milk.
Later, the same residents were treated to homemade oatmeal cookies to enjoy as they worked out with their cartons of milk.
A brochure from nursing students reminded residents that more than one in three people 65 and older experience falls each year. Among older adults, falls are the No. 1 cause of fractures, hospital admissions for trauma, loss of independence and injury deaths, the brochure said.
The No. 1 risk factor when it comes to falls?
Medication.
Nursing student Jean Pohalski, of Wooster, said she liked working with Conard resident Adith Karbula during the geriatrics class where she and other students performed assessments and worked on major care plans and case histories.
Brice Wiltrout, of Jer-omesville, said he enjoyed the experience, too. He said he's not sure what he'll do when he graduates from the program in June.
Danielle Studer, of Ashland, said she plans to join the U.S. Air Force on active duty. She plans to serve as a nurse. She is a member of the 180th Medical Group of the Ohio National Guard in Toledo.
"This was a great opportunity to share our knowledge," she said.
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