Week 13: 4/7/2011

The last time we participated in our service learning project we taught the older adults at the Orem Senior Center about nutrition and exercise. We taught them that even though as they get older and it is harder to exercise that it is still important. We taught them about exercises they can do to strengthen bone and muscles. Strengthening the muscles and bones may help better their balance and prevent falls or injury during falls. We also taught them about how important it is to get the right nutrition. We talked about the essential nutrients the body needs to function and how those nutrients benefit the body.

I believe teaching these concepts to older adults is important because these are things that will better their quality of life. Being physically active and eating the right foods will give them strength and energy they need to carry out their activities of daily living. These practices will give them an overall feeling of wellness. They will be able to think clearer and perform better.

Teaching about healthy practices was beneficial because it gave me experience with breaking things down for people to understand. It helped me know what is too complex to teach and what was is more common knowledge. Teaching this subject helped me learn and understand it better. It helped me know how it applies to certain age groups and how it changes over time. As I learn about the subjects I am teaching I will better be able to educate on that subject and in the future be able to teach more effectively.

I really believe that educating patients about healthy practices can prevent illness and disease. Our world is craving more and more the knowledge and explanation for certain diseases. People want to know why certain practices are healthy or why their body reacts in the way it does. It is our opportunity as nurses to give them the right information. So many people turn to the internet to find answers to their medical questions. For that reason alone, it is necessary for nurses to take the opportunity to teach their patients and to reach out and teach the community.