Older adults living in rural communities will benefit from an expansion of health and wellness programs in UW-Madison’s School of Nursing.
The expansion includes three programs: Geri-Res, which provides education for long-term care nurses, PALS, a fitness class for older adults, and a pilot program for Healthy Aging in Rural Towns, which aims to bridge the gaps between these adults in rural communities and a lack of access to health care providers, transportation alternatives and affordable housing.
“Building a culture of health across the lifespan is critical for the vibrancy of our society and it requires attention,” Dean Linda D. Scott said in announcing the expansion. “These expanded efforts will enable us to continue developing and evaluating evidence-based programs that directly benefit older adults, caregivers, and communities throughout the state.”
The HeART pilot will inform older people about resources they have access to by connecting them with care providers and social supports. It will deploy in three towns in the state.
The expansion also aims to tackle the long waiting list that PALS has. As a result of the expansion, the Center for Aging Research and Education (CARE) will be able to implement the program in new Wisconsin communities more quickly, according to a release.
“These initiatives reflect the vast expertise available through the School of Nursing as well as our commitment to improving health outcomes across the lifespan,” Scott said.
