When Doug VanderKamp's parents were in their 70s, they began showing signs of dementia.
"My dad began to show signs when he was 75. He would drive and get lost, or get his pills mixed up with my mother's," said VanderKamp, 84 of Grand Rapids.
Although he is physically fit, VanderKamp worries about dementia, which led him to volunteer to participate in a Grand Valley State University study that matches nursing students with senior citizens over a two-year period.
Grand Valley's Kirkhof College of Nursing received grants from the Hartford Foundation and American Association of Colleges of Nursing to improve the college's gerontology curriculum. Along with changes to nursing courses, nursing faculty members and others from Grand Valley created a clinical piece -- the Longitudinal Elderly Assessment Initiative.
"We had this grand idea to let the students follow an older person the whole time they are in clinical rotations," said Rebecca Veltman, assistant nursing professor. "It would prove to be a positive aging experience."
Students in four upper-level nursing classes are required to meet with their senior citizen three or four times a semester, continuing through four semesters. Visits begin with a physical assessment and medical history and continue with assessments for depression, anxiety and chronic illness. Students also gather community resources to help senior citizens remain independent.
Cindy Beel-Bates, associate nursing professor and project coordinator, recruits elderly volunteers from various senior communities throughout Grand Rapids, including Ransom Towers, Marsh Ridge, Pine Oak, Covenant Village and Lincoln Square. Beel-Bates said building professional relationships will benefit both nursing students and senior citizens.
"Sometimes, students are turned off by working with older people," she said. "When they only see older adults in the hospital or nursing homes, it reinforces stereotypes of dementia and Alzheimer's disease. In fact, only 5 percent of elderly are in nursing homes."
Sara Mott has worked with VanderKamp for two semesters. To help ease his worries about dementia, Mott gives VanderKamp activities to keep his mind active.
"It was the same things we did in my family with my grandmother," Mott said. "Some people say you should leave your personal life out of it, but if I can help in any way -- even by explaining my family history -- I think it helps."
More than 60 nursing students are matched with senior citizens. The first students to participate in the study will graduate in April. Beel-Bates said she hopes the project leads some students to specialize in gerontology.
