Role of the advanced practice public health nurse in a community based eldercare program

The elderly population is growing rapidly in the United States and many of the elderly prefer to stay in their homes and familiar surroundings as they age. Eldercare programs are beginning to grow and show promise in areas where there is a high elderly population. One of the major goals of these programs is to create a self-sustaining network of resources that will maintain the independence and health of the elderly in the community. A South Philadelphia, community based eldercare program was assessed initially from August, 2012 to May, 2013. The program provided free/low cost geriatric case management services to elderly parishioners (N=89) of a neighborhood parish. Data was collected in regards to the services provided by the elder care program. This data is in the process of being analyzed to illustrate the benefits of the program to the elderly parishioners. The data is also being analyzed to justify the need for an advanced practice public health nurse because the program does not include a nursing component. The results from this project can be used to justify the need for a nursing component, which will be an enhancement to the services provided.