Senior Mentor Program Center on Aging, Division of Geriatrics Department of Internal Medicine School of Medicine Funded by the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation July 1, 2006

Purpose Give students a positive relationship with an older adult Provide students opportunities to: Debunk myths & improve perceptions about aging Learn seniors’ perspectives on health Improve listening skills with seniors Improve comfort in being with seniors Enhance interest and confidence in ability to provide care with seniors

Photo of pair or pair photo on background of purpose slide

Overview First and second-year medical students and physician assistant students Psychosocial focus Voluntary program No course credit, letter of commendation in student record 15-20 hour commitment

Participants Pilot year 2004-2005 2005-2006 Academic Year 12 first-year medical students 13 seniors aged 65-94 2005-2006 Academic Year 20 first-year medical students 6 first-year physician assistant students (added this year through other funding) 8 second-year medical students 36 senior mentors aged 65-95

Student Recruitment

Mentors Volunteers 65 and older Examples of successful aging (active despite chronic conditions, engaged in life, mobile, upbeat) Various backgrounds, ethnicities, professions Found through faculty, staff, program publicity and word of mouth No community recruitment needed yet

A few of our wonderful pairs

Outline 2005 - 2006 Student preparation Opening event October 2005 Opening event November 2005 3 meetings with senior mentors November through April Student discussions Dec & Feb Celebration May 2006 Feedback Ongoing plus April/May 2006

Opening Event November 2005

Student/Mentor Meetings Pairs meet on their own schedules Meet at mentors’ homes, restaurants or while doing activities Topics Senior’s life history Senior’s healthcare perspectives How senior stays active despite chronic medical conditions Doing something active with their mentors

Student/Mentor Meetings Examples of Fall 2005 meetings: Attended Parkinson’s support group run by Senior Mentor Helped Senior Mentor serve meals to homeless people Toured nursing home where Senior Mentor volunteers

Celebration for Mentors, Pilot Year

Feedback Students’ Quotes: I think aging is what you make of it. My mentors are good examples of people who do not seem to dwell on their limitations, but enjoy life to the fullest. It has been wonderful to discover more about what it feels like to age. I completely admire my Senior Mentor. I am completely intrigued with his history, his insights, and his fortitude. After this program, I think it is easier for me to communicate with and relate to elderly people. We can all benefit from better knowledge of geriatric patients since we will all have lots of older patients, no matter what area of medicine [we go into].

Feedback More Students’ Quotes: My mentor and the rest of the amazing seniors at our very first meeting have definitely offered me a different outlook and attitude towards this growing population. My mentor is vibrant, passionate, loving, brilliant and just an absolutely fabulous person to be around. Her energy is endless! What I am learning from her is that the senior population is diverse in their health just like any other societal grouping based on age, and that they should be treated as individuals. I think this has been one of the most rewarding things I have done so far in medical school. I really appreciate my mentors and the Senior Mentor project’s efforts to make this relationship possible and meaningful.

Feedback Mentors’ Quotes: It’s like having another grandchild, and one with great potential. What did I ever contribute? This is a golden opportunity for that [making a contribution to society]. You always felt he [med student] was engaged with who you were. I was surprised how easy it was that we could talk about anything. It is great to be with young people. I felt like I got out of it more than I gave.

Promotion & Publicity The Senior Mentor Program was honored to be selected as the cover story in the 2006 issue of Alliances, a yearly publication by the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center. Each year, Alliances showcases innovative programs that are changing the face of health care in New Mexico and beyond, as well as providing students the opportunity to gain new and valuable perspectives in medicine.

Promotion & Publicity Alliances cover article February 2006 Local public television short to air Fall 2006 with national program on aging Local newspaper articles February 2005 (generated senior volunteers) Presentations at two aging conferences Summer/Fall 2005

Contact Info Senior Mentor Program UNM Center on Aging 1720 Louisiana Blvd NE Suite 300 Albuquerque, NM 87110 505-272-4837, 505-272-0823 Email: lswan@salud.unm.edu