Philadelphia Consortium Projects
Older Adults
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Bingo, Checkers and Mental Health: Recreational Therapy
Student Intern(s):
Scott Davis, Drexel University College of Medicine
Neha Khinvasara, Drexel University College of Medicine
Academic Preceptor(s):
Ellen Schelly-Hill, MMT, ADTR, LPC, Drexel University, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Creative Arts in Therapy
Community Preceptor(s):
Beth Cwiklinski, MSW, NewCourtland LIFE Program The Community Site:
NewCourtland LIFE (Living Independently for Elders), located in Northwest Philadelphia, provides all-inclusive care for frail elderly adults. View Community Partner Web Site
Healthy People 2010:
Leading Health Indicators: Access to Health Care; Mental Health; Physical Activity
Focus Areas: Diabetes; Mental Health and Mental Disorders; Physical Activity and Fitness; Nutrition and Overweight; Educational and Community-Based Programs
The Project:
Neha and Scott assisted NewCourtland LIFE’s recreational therapist in creating a curriculum focused on age-appropriate activities and exercises to enhance physical and mental capabilities. The program was tailored to meet participants’ interests and to promote social interaction and encourage cognitive thinking. Activities included board games, music therapy, arts and crafts, and trivia games. In addition, Neha and Scott designed and presented an educational session on diabetes and healthy eating. Neha commented, “By working with seniors at NewCourtland LIFE, I have gained a deeper understanding of the challenges and concerns of the elderly. I was truly impressed by the LIFE program’s interdisciplinary approach to medical care.” Scott noted, “Through the guidance of the staff and my own interactions with participants, I came to understand some of the many economic, social, and medical challenges that seniors face.”
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Healthy Aging for Older Adults
Student Intern(s):
Ashleigh Berger, University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, Department of Health Psychology
Kevin Dwyer, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Academic Preceptor(s):
Eugene Mochan, PhD, DO, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Community Preceptor(s):
Rebecca Kochman, MSW, LSW, Intercommunity Action, Inc., Journey’s Way The Community Site:
Intercommunity Action’s Journey’s Way, located in Roxborough, provides programs for adults 55 and older and provides adult day services to older adults with physical and cognitive impairments. View Community Partner Web Site
Healthy People 2010:
Leading Health Indicators: Physical Activity; Overweight and Obesity; Access to Health Care
Focus Areas: Heart Disease and Stroke; Health Communication; Access to Quality Health Services; Physical Activity and Fitness; Oral Health
The Project:
Ashleigh and Kevin worked with the Journey’s Way staff and conducted a needs and risk assessment that included cognitive impairment, access to health care, health maintenance, mobility and low involvement in activities as the main areas of concern. In addition, the interns conducted classes to improve motor coordination and balance, oral health care, cardiovascular health, and personal growth while exploring topics such as travel, history, personal backgrounds, current events, and changing times. The interns also participated in community outreach to share information about the Journey’s Way program and services provided. Ashleigh stated, “Our site allowed me to work with older adults who had a vastly different perception of mental health than anything I had learned in a classroom.” Kevin commented, “The people at my site were older adults that were filled with knowledge and wisdom … I furthered my understanding of the value of communication both from a clinical standpoint and a social standpoint.”
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Seniors in Control: Lifestyle Awareness
Student Intern(s):
Brooke Mitros, Thomas Jefferson University, Jefferson College of Health Professions, School of Nursing
Kjisten Torkelson, Thomas Jefferson University, Jefferson College of Health Professions, Department of Occupational Therapy
Academic Preceptor(s):
Molly A. Rose, PhD, RN, Thomas Jefferson University, Jefferson College of Health Professions
Community Preceptor(s):
Charles Brown, MSW, LSW, Philadelphia Senior Center, South Broad Street Branch, In-Home Support Program The Community Site:
The Philadelphia Senior Center (PSC) main branch on South Broad Street helps adults 55 and older meet their basic needs and enhance their quality of life. View Community Partner Web Site
Healthy People 2010:
Leading Health Indicators: Physical Activity; Overweight and Obesity; Mental Health
Focus Areas: Heart Disease and Stroke; Oral Health; Nutrition and Overweight; Mental Health and Mental Disorders; Chronic Kidney Disease
The Project:
Brooke and Kjisten provided education, discussion, health fairs and activities to enhance the overall quality of life of older adults at the Philadelphia Senior Center on South Broad Street. The interns also worked with the volunteer coordinators in daily activities such as Fan Fair, Veggie Vouchers and fundraisers. Brooke and Kjisten interacted with the members on a daily basis to gain a better understanding of the general older adult population in the Philadelphia area. Brooke stated, “Although working with the adult population is not something new to me, working with seniors from a different culture, background and location was a challenge. I had to learn and understand where they were coming from and why health may or may not be their first priority.” Kjisten said, “Through this experience I have learned a great deal about working hand in hand with older adults … I found this summer to be quite beneficial and know that I will carry the skills I have learned over into my future profession of occupational therapy.”
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Promoting Healthy Eating: Increasing Accessibility of Fresh Produce for Seniors
Student Intern(s):
Richard Huynh, Drexel University College of Medicine
William Cho, Drexel University College of Medicine
Academic Preceptor(s):
Vincent J. Zarro, MD, PhD, Drexel University, College of Nursing and Health Professions
Community Preceptor(s):
Tara Swartzendruber-Landis, Philadelphia Corporation for Aging, Nationalities Senior Center The Community Site:
The Philadelphia Corporation for Aging, Nationalities Senior Center, located in the Logan section of Philadelphia, benefits those who are isolated from social services due to language and cultural differences.
Healthy People 2010:
Leading Health Indicators: Access to Health Care; Overweight and Obesity; Physical Activity
Focus Areas: Access to Quality Health Services; Diabetes; Educational and Community-Based Programs; Nutrition and Overweight; Physical Activity and Fitness
The Project:
Richard and Will initiated a produce-buying program at the Nationalities Senior Center. To address the accessibility issue, a weekly order and delivery system to the Senior Center was established. The interns assisted seniors with various social services and public health benefits through interpretation and translation. In addition, they supported the Senior Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program and updated annual nutritional assessment surveys. Richard noted, “The project has shown me that there are many ways to solve a problem and that you have to go through different routes to make something happen. We got the results through flexibility and perseverance.” Will said, “Being at the Nationalities Senior Center has been an invaluable experience … As time passed (and quickly!), I realized that we would be changing the world—not in the grandiose way that I had hoped but rather as a small, discrete step. So one large lesson that I have learned is that change can come in tiny increments at a time.”
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Getting Better with Age: Promoting Health Awareness and an Active Lifestyle with Seniors
Student Intern(s):
Jessica Greinke, Temple University, College of Health Professions, Department of Occupational Therapy
Thai Phan, Temple University, College of Health Professions, Department of Physical Therapy
Kristina Pribic, Temple University, College of Health Professions, Department of Occupational Therapy
Academic Preceptor(s):
Dianne Butera, MSW, Temple University, School of Medicine
Community Preceptor(s):
Peggy Eagle, BS, MHT, Lutheran Settlement House, Senior Center
Michelle Lutz, Lutheran Settlement House, Senior Center
The Community Site:
The Lutheran Settlement House Senior Center aims to improve the quality of life of community members aged 55 and over, living in the Fishtown area of Philadelphia. View Community Partner Web Site
Healthy People 2010:
Leading Health Indicators: Physical Activity; Mental Health; Access to Health Care; Injury and Violence
Focus Areas: Access to Quality Health Services; Arthritis, Osteoporosis and Chronic Back Conditions; Cancer; Diabetes; Educational and Community-Based Programs; Heart Disease and Stroke; Injury and Violence; Mental Health and Mental Disorders; Nutrition and Overweight; Oral Health; Physical Activity and Fitness
The Project:
Jessica, Thai and Kristina provided a health promotion and education program for the seniors at Lutheran Settlement House. Using Healthy People 2010 as a guide, the interns addressed the seniors’ health questions and concerns. Each of the daily health promotion activities started with seated low-impact and strengthening exercises. The interns shared relaxation techniques and engaged the seniors in discussions on nutrition and in demonstrations on how to substitute healthy ingredients in recipes familiar to the seniors. In addition, they participated in a men’s bereavement group. Overall, the interns worked on their listening skills and learned about the rich histories of the seniors. Kristina said, “This experience has made me more aware of what it is like to work with the senior population … I think I would like to work with this population again.” Jessica noted, “I went into this experience thinking that the seniors would learn a lot from me … But I quickly realized that they were the ones teaching me about living actively, resilience, and being grateful.” Thai said, “The seven weeks I've spent at Lutheran Settlement House allowed me to have a glimpse into a senior's daily life … Their strength is inspiring.”
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Simple Strategies for Aging Well
Student Intern(s):
Alfred J. Croteau, Drexel University College of Medicine
Christine Simons, Drexel University College of Medicine
Academic Preceptor(s):
Burton Landau, PhD, Drexel University College of Medicine
Community Preceptor(s):
Mary J. Fallon, MA, NHA, Unitarian Universalist House, Outreach Program
Roberta Balsam, MA, Unitarian Universalist House, Outreach Program
Lynn Trimborn, RN, Unitarian Universalist House, Outreach Program The Community Site:
Unitarian Universalist House Outreach Program (UUH) is a free service that helps community residents aged 60 and older living in Northwest Philadelphia remain in their own homes as long as possible. View Community Partner Web Site
Healthy People 2010:
Leading Health Indicators: Physical Activity; Mental Health; Environmental Quality
Focus Areas: Disability and Secondary Conditions; Educational and Community-Based Programs; Environmental Health; Physical Activity and Fitness
The Project:
Throughout their internship, A.J. and Christine learned about the many facets of working with the community-based older adult population. They had many opportunities to interview and converse with clients of the Outreach Program. Regular home visits were made to selected clients on several occasions. For example, A.J. worked with a visually impaired client, helping him find employment opportunities; Christine made weekly visits with a client, teaching her Outreach’s Miracle Moves Fitness Program and helping her to adapt exercise into her daily routine. The interns were given opportunities to tour and learn about other supportive programs for older adults in the Philadelphia area, where they could discuss employment training and opportunities for the city’s aging population. To culminate their experience, the interns created and presented an interactive workshop designed to empower clients with simple strategies for aging well. A.J. reflected, “On paper a multidisciplinary approach seems like a good idea but now I can attest to the effectiveness and the foresight in this approach. What great things we can do when we decide to unite together for the betterment of our community.” Christine said “The people I have met through my internship have been very inspirational to me; those I have worked with have gone above and beyond what others might do to help people, and those I have worked for have shown me in subtle ways the incredible inner strength older adults possess.”
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Integrating Healthy Lifestyles in Senior Living
Student Intern(s):
Ravi Pujara, Thomas Jefferson University, Jefferson Medical College
Joellen Swiantek, Thomas Jefferson University, Jefferson College of Health Professions, Department of Occupational Therapy
Academic Preceptor(s):
Lauren Collins, MD, Thomas Jefferson University, Jefferson Medical College
Community Preceptor(s):
Mary Ellen Bolden, Independence Promotion Project, Services on Site The Community Site:
Services on Site provides social services and health-related activities to residents of the Scottish Rite House, Reed Street Presbyterian, and Anthony Wayne Manor.
Healthy People 2010:
Leading Health Indicators: Mental Health; Overweight and Obesity; Physical Activity
Focus Areas: Arthritis, Osteoporosis, and Chronic Back Conditions; Diabetes; Heart Disease and Stroke; Mental Health and Mental Disabilities; Nutrition and Overweight; Physical Activity
The Project:
Ravi and Joellen provided health education to the seniors at their respective Services on Site residential facilities. Topics included cardiovascular disease, mental health, diabetes, osteoporosis, home safety, and healthy living. In addition to providing educational information, the sessions also included activities that served as a springboard for socialization and for reinforcing the educational component. Ravi and Joellen also met individually with seniors who could not participate in the group activities. Joellen commented, “I have learned from the seniors at my three different sites the perseverance, generosity, and positive mental attitude that it takes to successfully age in our challenging society.” Ravi noted, “Participating in the Bridging the Gaps program has given me the unique opportunity to listen to the stories of individuals from a different era … With each story I learned of a different time teeming with the same desires and aspirations we see today.”
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Philadelphia Senior Center: Tioga Branch
Student Intern(s):
Ben Shavalian, Temple University, School of Pharmacy
David Verbofsky, Temple University, School of Medicine Academic Preceptor(s):
Dianne Butera, MSW, Temple University, School of Medicine
Community Preceptor(s):
Julie Nelson, Philadelphia Senior Center, Tioga Branch The Community Site:
The Tioga Branch of the Philadelphia Senior Center provides programs, classes, activities and a delicious hot lunch Monday through Friday. The center hosts students and speakers from different professional organizations and welcomes anyone 55 years or older. View Community Partner Web Site
The Project:
David and Ben assisted staff with daily activities at the Tioga Senior Center. Several times a week they presented a five-minute “lunch and learn” health talk. They also prepared and led a series of 30-minute interactive presentations. For these presentations, the interns created Jeopardy games or question-and-answer sessions. In addition, the interns initiated a computer class and a men’s group, and interacted with seniors, one-to-one, to learn about their vast experiences. David noted, “The Tioga branch is a vibrant place … As my first real immersion in the world of older Americans, I not only learned a lot about problems specific to seniors, but also about what it means to grow older.” Ben commented, “I can say that this summer internship was more than just giving some speeches about health. The internship gave me the chance to meet some great people, and I learned a lot from their experiences.”
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