Three Lincoln organizations have partnered to expand health screenings for senior citizens in the Lincoln-Lancaster County area.
The partners – the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing Lincoln Division, Aging Partners and St. Mark’s United Methodist Church — now offer screenings at St. Mark’s Vermeer Education Center, 8550 Pioneers Blvd.
The services, as well as transportation, are offered free for those who cannot afford to pay. Aging Partners provides an intake person and a driver. Donations are accepted to cover costs for supplies. Referrals to local health professionals will be provided as appropriate.
UNMC and Aging Partners have been providing screenings most Thursdays for 15 years at the Aging Partners Downtown Senior Center at 1005 “O” St. Services will continue to be provided there.
Services at the St. Mark’s location, offered most Wednesdays between 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., began Sept. 16 and include health history, screenings for general health, blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose and bone density, as well as foot care for the elderly. Oral health screenings by the UNMC College of Dentistry were recently added with the help of a grant from the University of Nebraska Kelly Fund.
The clinic is staffed through UNMC’s Senior Health Promotion Center Clinic, which includes 10 nursing students and three UNMC faculty members. Not only does the clinic provide seniors needed services, it also provides teaching opportunities for faculty and learning experiences for students as well as educating students on the value of giving back to the community.
Helping people stay healthy, independent and in their homes longer is the goal of the partnership, said Judi Schlife, instructor and public health nurse practitioner with the UNMC College of Nursing Lincoln Division.
“If you catch health problems early, it’s better,” Schlife said “The students really enjoy working with this population and feel much appreciation from those they serve, and our seniors are so thankful for these services.”
Something as simple as foot care can prevent health problems, Schlife said, noting that the service includes an evaluation of the circulation in the lower extremities.
Schlife said because of reduced mobility and visual impairment, many seniors can’t take care of their feet the way they need to.
“Preventive foot health care has many benefits, including increasing comfort, limiting the possibility of additional medical problems and reducing the chances of hospitalization because of infection,” she said. “Older adults may be unaware of their risk for circulation complications in their lower extremities and need to care for their feet.”
Rita Antonson, UNMC College of Nursing instructor and nurse practitioner who has been conducting the student clinics for 15 years, said foot care is the most requested service. “The clients tell me that they greatly appreciate all of the services and love interacting with the students and being a part of their learning experience,” she said. “They leave the clinic with a smile.”
Tracie Foreman, Community Health Educator with Aging Partners Health and Fitness
Services, said many of the individuals seen at the clinic have a variety of health conditions that may limit their ability to take care of some of their most basic health care needs.
“The screenings offered at both clinics help over 60 adults stay on top of their cholesterol, glucose and blood pressure numbers,” she said.
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