Enhancing nursing home care for seniors: impact of a living classroom on nursing assistant's education. Issue 8 (2nd August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Boscart, Veronique M.; McCleary, Lynn; Stolee, Paul; Taucar, Linda Sheiban; Wilhelm, Jessica; Johnson, Keia; d'Avernas, Josie; Brown, Paul; Raasok, Marlene
• Is Part Of: Educational gerontology. Volume 46:Issue 8(2020)
• Page Start: 461
• Page End: 472
• Publication Date: 2020-08-02
• Subjects: Adult education -- Periodicals; Older people -- Education -- Periodicals; Gerontology -- Periodicals; Aged; Geriatrics -- education; Éducation des adultes -- Périodiques; Personnes âgées -- Éducation -- Périodiques; 374
• DOI: 10.1080/03601277.2020.1774842
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-1277

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Nursing Assistants (NAs) are the largest workforce in nursing homes, but often lack adequate preparation for their role. The Living Classroom (LC) is an integrated learning approach, whereby a NA program is delivered in a nursing home (NH) in collaboration with a community college. This paper describes the implementation and evaluation of the LC. Mixed methods were used to gather data from 48 NA students, 5 faculty, and 42 NH staff over 30 weeks. Students, faculty, and nursing home staff described the LC as a positive learning experience. Students' gerontological knowledge increased over time (p = .0012). Students reported very positive relationships with program mentors and NH residents. The LC provides a unique approach to prepare NAs to work in nursing homes. This model could expand to other educational programs with a gerontology focus.