A university program pairs health students with adults 60+ for health checks

The GEROS Project aims to develop and implement a Service-Learning (S-L) program that integrates Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) and health promotion, for students at the Faculty of Health Sciences and Welfare at the University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC). This initiative engages university students, healthcare professionals, and older adults (60+) in a participatory, intergenerational approach that fosters mutual learning and community engagement.

The study follows a non-experimental mixed-method design, involving students from Nursing, Physiotherapy, Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Occupational Therapy, and Psychology. Participants include older adults (60+) who can independently travel to the university.

The project is integrated into different subjects, in groups of 4-5 students, participants conduct a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA), evaluating frailty using VIG-Frail, intrinsic capacity with ICOPE, quality of life with EUROQOL 5D-5L, and specific health indicators with Nursing Outcomes Classification (NOC).

To assess the program's effectiveness, several outcome measures will be analyzed including students' perceived knowledge, competencies, and skills, as well as older adults' awareness of their health status, lifestyle, and risk factors. Additionally, the satisfaction levels of both will be evaluated. The items will be evaluated using a 1-5 Likert Scale, and the analysis will be conducted with SPSS. Data recording will be carried out through REDCap.

The GEROS Project aligns with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). By offering care to the aging population and providing them with personalized health recommendations, the project promotes preventive strategies, active aging, and intergenerational learning.

Furthermore, GEROS integrates innovative educational methodologies, encouraging experiential learning, collaboration with healthcare professionals, and the development of practical skills in real-world contexts. The program's scalability and adaptability could serve as a model for other universities and healthcare institutions aiming to enhance geriatric care through service-learning initiatives.