Each of the Bon Secours Virginia hospitals has joined NICHE in order to provide excellent evidence-based care to older adults. St. Mary's Hospital has successfully had more than 270 nurses, patient care techs, and ancillary staff complete additional education to help improve our care for older adults. Twenty-six RNs have become gerontological certified nurses. Education covers provision of evidence-based care on topics such as falls prevention, medication safety, nutrition, function, sleep, skin protection, incontinence, depression, dementia, delirium and pain. Our Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) provides volunteer visits to help prevent adverse effects of hospitalization including loss of function and delirium. In the emergency department, a family nurse practitioner, case manager, and physical therapist focus on the needs of seniors. Nurses in the operative area and in behavioral health are also exploring how to improve care for older adults. Nurses report that the information in the NICHE modules is helpful for patient care, and also in their personal lives if they are providing care for an older adult at home.

 

Click here to learn more about the experience of one our HELP volunteers in assisting our efforts to improve care for older adults.

 

Each Bon Secours Virginia facility has individualized their NICHE program using the available resources to respond to the needs they have identified. We want to contribute to improved care for older adults and bring honor and dignity to those who come for care.

 

NICHE has offered a new app for patients and families. It can be downloaded at www.nicheprogram.org. Click here to learn more about NICHE, HELP, and other programs for our senior population. 

 

• Talk to your kids. Ask which fruit and vegetable options they prefer. Start by letting them pick something new and exciting to try from the grocery store. Let them participate by choosing fun shapes and sizes to cut them into.

• Plan ahead. Wash and cut fruit and vegetables ahead of time so things are not so hectic the day of.

• Think presentation. To encourage your child to try new things, assemble food in eye catching ways. Make veggie or fruit kabobs, cut sandwiches, fruits and vegetables into fun shapes, and bring in as many colors as possible. For example, cut a tuna fish sandwich into a fish shape and pack a portion size of Goldfish crackers, an apple and some carrots.

Dr. Edmonson completed her specialty training in neurology at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center near Washington, D.C. She then served tours at U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa in Japan and Naval Medical Center Portsmouth in Virginia. During her naval service, she received various honors and awards to include commendation and achievement medals and surface warfare qualification.