A rural geriatric health experience

The Rural Consortium for Health Outreach Information and Screening for Older Adults, a federally-funded demonstration project, provides health information and screening services to older adults in rural communities while affording pharmacy students a multidisciplinary geriatric learning experience. The module, Safe Use of Medications in the Elderly, is described. Pharmacy, nursing, psychology and social work students learn about medication problems facing older adults, help teach Foster Grandparents/Senior Companions about the safe use of medications, and then travel with faculty to senior centers in Missoula and 10 rural western Montana communities to conduct medication review sessions and talk about safe medication use to 125 elderly clients. Students practice their interpersonal, small group and public speaking communication skills, obtain real-life health histories, and gain first-hand insight into the challenges facing the rural elderly. Round-trip travel times to rural sites of up to five hours detract from the overall educational value of the program.