The Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) is an evidence-based model of patient care designed to prevent functional and cognitive decline of older adults during a hospital stay. Specific interventions targeting these declines are implemented by interdisciplinary clinicians and highly trained volunteers.
Shortly after the implementation of the ) in 2017, clinicians of the program of the JGH and faculty at McGill’s School of Physical and Occupational Therapy (SPOT) developed a partnership where all first-year physical and occupational therapy students would receive the specialized training as part of their first-year course, Introduction to Professional Practice II. Students receive six hours of theoretical training in class and two hours of practical training at the Steinberg Centre for Simulation and Interactive Learning before interacting with patients. The knowledge they acquire enables them to participate in the HELP program and gain on-site experience in their first year of studies.
In a letter to HELP’s organizers in January, Annette Majnemer, PhD, the Faculty’s Vice-Dean of Education, praised, “the impactful and innovative contributions you are making to teaching, learning, and education. You were chosen to receive this award this year, based on the nature of your innovation (originality, sustainability) and the impact on learners (replicability, number and range of learners impacted). We are deeply grateful for the work you are doing to advance education in our faculty.”
Read much more about this novel partnership as well as student and patient insights in the JGH News, magazine of the Jewish General Hospital article
Top Photo: Patient, Paraskevi Dogantzi (left) enjoys knitting during a visit from Shibo Yu, a physiotherapy student with the JGH’s Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP). Ms. Yu keeps Ms. Dogantzi physically active and mentally stimulated with conversation, games and light exercises.
