Recorded presentation

Barbara B. Pieper, PhD, RN¹, Kathleen Johnson, RN, BS¹, Laura Bronstein, ACSW, PhD², and Tatyana Zelman, CSW, MASS³. (1) Department of Nursing, The Sage Colleges, 45 Ferry St, Troy, NY 12180, 518-2442045, piepeb@sage.edu, (2) Center for Excellence in Aging Services, University at Albany, 135 Western Ave., Albany, NY 12222, (3) Program Coordinator, Neighborhood Health Advocate Program, c/o Koinonia Health CAre, 553 Clinton Avenue, Albany, NY 12206

Sustaining and supporting the elderly, particularly the frail elderly, in their homes and communities continues to challenge traditional health care systems. This paper describes a faith-based, interdisciplinary initiative designed to help older adults access needed health and social services. The Neighborhood Health Advocate Program (NHAP) is a community partnership including universities, and a variety of agencies to create a program to reduce or delay institutionalization and hospitalization of inner city elderly. Through a coalescing of interests and ideas, lay advocates became the mainstay of this joint project of the Koinonia Health Center, Albany Guardian Society, Community Foundation of the Capital Region, and the Elder Network of the Capital Region.

Working closely with clergy to identify lay advocates who have demonstrated a commitment to their community, the project uses lay advocates to provide a link to health and social services for older adults. Descriptions of the early establishment of the program, the work and training of the lay advocates, lessons learned, along with the contribution of the community health nurse and social worker are highlighted. Particular emphasis is on the reflective teaching and coaching strategies used to help lay advocates develop their role in the community and qualitative program evaluation strategies.

Learning Objectives: The participant will be able to

• Describe the development of an inner city faith-based initiative for older adults through community partnerships.
• Discuss the role of the community health nurse and social worker in an interdisciplinary faith-based initiative.
• Explain the reflective teaching and coaching strategies in developing lay advocates.
• Identify evaluation strategies for early program development.

Keywords: Community Collaboration, Public Health Nursing

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

Recorded presentation