College of Nursing and Allied Health
Retirement Research Foundation of Chicago Grant
The University of St. Francis, College of Nursing and Allied Health, was awarded a Retirement Research Foundation of Chicago grant of $95,159. The purpose of this three-year grant is to further the study of geriatrics and promote healthy aging practices among the ever increasing numbers of elderly.
The co-project directors for the grant: "Disseminating Successful Aging Innovations: From Curriculum to Community," are USF nursing professors, Drs. Catherine Ferrario and Gaile Nellett. Both Dr. Ferrario and Dr. Nellett are taking post-masters courses to become gerontology experts. Dr. Nellett has completed course work through the University of Illinois and USF. Dr. Ferrario is completing course work online through Mather Lifeways that includes clinical practicum hours and has completed course work at USF.
Both are in the process of developing online, evidence-based, "best-practice," gerontology content modules for the USF nursing faculty and selected community nurses. Faculty will then use their expanded gerontology knowledge to increase student gerontology knowledge in the undergraduate and graduate nursing programs.
In the third-year of the grant, students and faculty will present educational programs on successful aging and other health related topics to older adults at seven community sites within the Joliet community. These sites are:
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Victory Centre
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Senior Services of Will County
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Joliet Housing Authority (including three older adult residence buildings)
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Provena Villa Franciscan
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Will Grundy Medical Clinic
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Our Lady of Mt Carmel Church, and
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St. John the Baptist Church, a predominantly Hispanic parish.
Topics that will be presented are:
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Hypertension and prevention management
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Medication teaching including interactions of common medications, adverse effects of polypharmacy,compliance with schedules, and cost issues
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Fall prevention and safety in the home
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Diet, nutrition, and obesity
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Exercise
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Sleep and rest, e.g., normal changes with aging
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Heart disease/congestive heart failure, including diet teaching
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Diabetes self-care, including diet and foot care
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Cancer prevention
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HIV/AIDS prevention and early diagnosis, and
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End-of-Life issues, including the preparation of advance directives.
For Further information, to view a Microsoft Powerpoint Slide show CLICK HERE