Running head: SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT PLAN 1

Your name:
Soibah Jalloh

Date:
7/24/14

Community or population of interest:
My volunteer work will be at Holy Cross Hospital Senior Source. Holy Cross Hospital Senior Source
provides free or affordably priced activities, programs and information for seniors age 55 and older.
Senior Source offers an array of programs to help seniors get their mind and body fit, maintain their
independence, and enhance the quality of life by encouraging wellness and healthy living.

Review of literature and health outcomes data:
According to the American College of Sports Medicine, by the year 2030, the number of individuals in
the United States 65 years and over will reach 70 million, and people 85 years and older will be the
fastest growing segment of the population. As many of us have already noticed, muscle mass decreases
as we age. Beginning in the fourth decade of life, adults lose 3%-5% of muscle mass per decade, and
the decline increases to 1%-2% per year after age 50. The good news is that muscle mass can increase at
any age in response to exercise (NIHSeniorHealth.org). In an important study of weight lifting and
older adults conducted with 100 male and female residents of a nursing home in Boston (age range: 72
to 98 years of age; average age 87), subjects lifted weights with their legs three times a week for 10
weeks. At the end of the study, there was an increase in thigh mass of 2.7%, walking speed increased
12%, and leg strength increased a whopping 113%! (ACSM/AHA, 2007) Studies have shown that
exercise provides many health benefits and that older adults can gain a lot by staying physically active.
Being physically active can also help you stay strong and fit enough to keep doing the things you like to
do as you get older and maintain your independence (National Institute on Aging)

Your selected health concern focus:
SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT PLAN 2
According to the U.S. Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity and Health, inactive people are
nearly twice as likely to develop heart disease as those who are more active. Lack of physical activity
also can lead to more visits to the doctor, more hospitalizations, and more use of medicines for a variety
of illnesses. Lack of physical activity can also lead to decrease muscle mass and nutritional issues.
Three possible nursing interventions:
Offer exercise classes that focus on specific medical condition
Offer options for seniors to learn more about disease prevention and health maintenance
Provide education about nutritional diet and weight maintenance
Offering free health screening such as: blood pressure check, glucose check, etc.


Your selected nursing intervention:
Offer exercise classes that focus on specific medical condition
Offer options for seniors to learn more about disease prevention and health maintenance
Provide education about nutritional diet and weight maintenance


Brief plan for conducting nursing intervention:
Talk to Senior Source members about what intervention they would like to see to improve their overall
health and experience at Senior Source.
Evaluate available resources to support plan interventions
Talk to seniors about the plan interventions and seek feedback.
Print fliers and distribute to all


References
SERVICE LEARNING PROJECT PLAN 2
ACSM/AHA Physical Activity Recommendations for Older Adults. (2007, August 1). human-kinetics.
Retrieved from http://www.humankinetics.com/article-archives/aacc-archived-articles/acsmaha-
physical-activity-recommendations-for-older-adults

Exercise: Benefits of Exercise. (2012, February 13). NIHSeniorHealth:. Retrieved
fromhttp://nihseniorhealth.gov/exerciseforolderadults/healthbenefits/01.html

Healthy Eating After 50. (2012, March 1). National Institute on Aging. Retrieved
fromhttp://www.nia.nih.gov/health/publication/healthy-eating-after-50

Introduction. (2011, May 1). National Institute on Aging. Retrieved
from http://www.nia.nih.gov/health/publication/exercise-physical-activity/introduction

Lueckenotte, A. G. (2000). Gerontologic nursing. St. Louis: Mosby.