As we age, our healthcare needs often change. For example, we might experience hearing loss or chronic pain. We might want to engage in advance care planning. Now imagine that simply communicating with healthcare providers …
community engagement
From Accelerated Aging to Black Well-Being
As we age, our cells accumulate damage. Over time, the damage can lead to disease, disability, or death. Yet time does not affect everyone’s cells equally. Some public health practitioners argue that time should be …
Our House: The Benefits of Intergenerational Housing
“As a nurse, I never felt that nursing homes or dementia units provided what was needed for people to flourish,” said Karin Krause, ‘79 RN, a University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Nursing alumna and founder …
Care, Culture, and Community: Working Towards Equity for Older Adults
“This is part of Black Lives Matter,” says Tracy Schroepfer, MSW, PhD, a professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work. “Racism and discrimination are embedded in systems. We need to …
Taking Stress in STRIDE: Learning How to Support Brain Health
“Almost everyone experiences stress,” says Megan Zuelsdorff, PhD, an epidemiologist and assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Nursing. “Stress is an underlying construct for a lot of my research. I think of it …
Flex that Memory Muscle: Three Partners Promote Healthy Aging
“Today we’re continuing to focus on strategies that help us maintain and even improve our brain health,” says University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Nursing student Laura Block. “Today’s brain health strategy is sleep,” says Block, …
Crafting Tools for Dementia Friendly Care and Communities
Charlie holds up a prescription bottle and looks at the pharmacist, confused. “You are not due for a refill on your metoprolol,” says the pharmacist. “I refilled this medication for you Tuesday. Remember?” “I need …
Bringing Direct Care Staff Education Where It’s Needed Most: Rural Wisconsin
“I am always looking for affordable educational opportunities, but don’t find many that are close enough to attend,” said Kathryn Nachreiner, who has managed a residential care home in Plain, Sauk County, for 14 years. …
Getting Active, from Rural to Urban Wisconsin
Overall, fewer than half of U.S. adults gets enough physical activity, according to federal guidelines. For African Americans, the numbers are even lower. That makes healthy aging especially challenging. “Less than 25 percent of older …
Geriatrics Education: Teaching for Tomorrow
“In order to improve geriatric care, we have to go upstream and help the educators who are preparing those who are entering nursing practice,” says Colleen Gullickson, PhD, RN, GNP, Professor and Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs at Edgewood College’s Henry Predolin School of Nursing in Madison, Wisconsin.