To tailor care around the unique needs of each patient, members of the Crouse Aging & Complex Care team continually research and implement programs from area experts and well-respected centers from across the country.
Geriatric Resource Nursing
Older adults are admitted to a hospital for any variety of healthcare conditions – from orthopedics to cardiology. But with age come special concerns related to almost any inpatient stay. To ensure that seniors receive the specialized treatment they need, Crouse has developed a specialized nursing team with members found in almost every unit of the hospital.
Crouse’s geriatric resource nursing team includes one of the area’s only clinical nurse specialists certified in gerontology and the care of older patients by the American Nurses Association. Our clinical nurse specialist targets medically complex hospitalized seniors who are at risk for losing the ability to remain independent. Our clinical nurse specialist visits senior patients and advises the clinical team on the unique needs of older adults. Patient and family visits also allow for geriatric consultation, including education and counseling.
In addition, Crouse has approximately 50 geriatric nurses working throughout the hospital. Trained through the NICHE (Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders) program, these specialized nurses combine their know-how in a specialty area with the particular needs and concerns of senior patients.
Senior Centered Care Volunteer Program
Crouse Hospital is committed to providing our senior patients with nationally recognized best practices in healthcare. Through our Senior Centered Care Volunteer Program, we address the specific needs of older adults to prevent issues that can lead to serious decline.
Our volunteer program is based on HELP (Hospital Elder Life Program), an innovative approach to addressing the special healthcare needs of older adults, developed by Dr. Sharon Inouye of Harvard University.
Our volunteers, who are specially trained and mentored by nursing professionals, assist in the following areas:
- Daily visits to engage seniors and promote communication
- Activities that promote mental stimulation and socialization
- Daily exercise and walking assistance to promote and maintain mobility
- Non-pharmacologic sleep enhancement to help patients sleep better
- Vision/hearing adaptation and equipment
- Mealtime assistance and companionship during meals
To learn more about volunteering with our Senior Centered Care Program, call Volunteer Services at 315/470-7571 or email Sharon Martin, Senior Volunteer Program Coordinator.
College Students Making a Difference
If you’re a college student, you can gain valuable hands-on experience in a clinical setting — and make a difference in someone’s life. By becoming a Senior Centered Care volunteer at Crouse Hospital, you'll learn from and work with healthcare professionals, advancing your academic and career development in a way no class setting can.
As a Senior Centered Care Volunteer, students will have the chance to:
- Be an active member of a well-respected healthcare team
- Develop strong beside interpersonal skills from constant one-on-one patient interaction
- Learn new and invaluable clinical skills
- Lend a helping hand with warmth and compassion
- Gain a new perspective
The Senior Centered Care Volunteer Program is ideal for students preparing for careers as doctors, nurses, social workers and gerontologists — and for anyone who wants to do something special for others. To learn more about volunteering with our Senior Centered Care Program, call Volunteer Services at 315/470-7571 or email Sharon Martin, Senior Volunteer Program Coordinator.