Meeting the health care needs of rural elderly: client satisfaction with a university-sponsored nursing center.

Abstract

Responding to health care needs of the elderly has presented great challenges for health care professionals. These problems are compounded in rural communities by physical and social isolation, increased poverty, and lack of transportation. An innovative approach to meeting health needs of rural elderly is through nursing centers. Through an emphasis on health promotion and maintenance of optimal level of functioning, these primary health care facilities can foster independence and self-care for this targeted population. In addition, nursing centers serve as clinical sites for student learning experiences and settings for nursing research. This article focuses on a nursing center established at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania (EUP), which tailors its services to the elderly living in Edinboro. Results of a client satisfaction survey, based on the Risser Patient Satisfaction Instrument, are described in addition to patterns of nursing center usage, general categories of care, teaching interventions, referrals, counseling, and frequency of visits. Findings from the survey indicated a general high client satisfaction level with nursing care received at the center. Discussion also includes plans to expand services to elderly in the community through home visits.