WNMU nursing students will be helping seniors stay healthy by
offering health screenings monthly,
at no charge, at Grant County Senior Centers.Grant County, New Mexico, Tuesday, March 14, 2017: Western New Mexico (WNMU) School of Nursing students are helping seniors stay healthier in Grant County. Over 230 seniors participated in health screenings program, Helping Seniors Stay Healthy. The program continues on Monday, March 20, 2017, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Gila, Mimbres, Santa Clara and Silver City Senior Center.

WNMU nursing student Kaitlyn Wolf said the program is, "beneficial for us to practice our skills and for the seniors to catch a health issue early."

WNMU nursing student, Ariana Garcia added, "And they can bring the concerning results to the attention of their doctor."

WNMU School of Nursing Assistant Professor, Alexis Harsh, RN, BSN, MSN, CFNP, CPNP, said, "The nursing students were impressed with the amount of knowledge that they could obtain from our senior citizen community. It was a pure joy for us to provide services at the senior centers in Grant County."

WNMU nursing student, Lorenzo Sines said, "It was an eye-opening experience to see the seniors so healthy. I work in an emergency room and usually see seniors only in crisis."
Harsh adds, "The students will be increasing the types of screening and teaching opportunities that they provide this year."

Last year, the student nurses made 24 visits to senior centers throughout the area, administering over 250 tests to seniors including assessing vital signs like blood pressure, pulse, oximetry, blood glucose and weight. Also they administered home safety, biophysical and psychological assessments while lending a hand with washing dishes and visited with the seniors.

Grant County Manager Charlene Webb says, "The Helping Seniors Stay benefits the nursing students with hands-on experience and our seniors with valuable health care service at no charge."

HSSH Coordinator Chris DeBolt says, "Senior Centers are natural hubs for all kinds of services for our seniors with programs that encourage them to take better care of themselves and feel healthier."

Harsh adds, "Such opportunities give our students insight into the broader scope of being a nurse in rural America, and the chance to interact with residents who are similar to their future patients."

The program is funded by a grant from the Freeport McMoRan Foundation and supported by Grant County with the WNMU School of Nursing.

The health screenings are available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, March 20, 2017, at Gila, Mimbres, Santa Clara and Silver City Senior Centers, with an encore visit on Wednesday, March 22, 2017, to Silver City Senior Center, 205 W. Victoria St.

Health screenings should not be a substitute for a person's annual physical exam conducted by a physician or health care provider. Health screenings can aid in general monitoring of wellness and catch the warning signs of more serious condition.

For more information on HSSH program call Chris DeBolt at (575) 956-3225.