A Hospital Program Designed to HELP (Hospital Elder Life Program)

Addressing the Generational Divide… Saying YES to HELP

by Johanna Thomas, Guest Blogger

 

The Trinitas Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) recently invited high school students from the Youth Enrichment Services (Y.E.S.) program of our New Point Campus, Elizabeth, New Jersey, to do arts and crafts with our elderly patients.

Under the supervision of the Johanna Thomas, Elderlife Clinician; Diana Naboa, Elder Life Assistant, and Cristina Pineros, Clinician, the students guided patients in a “Memory Box” craft.   The students and patients also engaged in conversation with the patients during the project.  These interactions were not only stimulating for our patients but also enriched the students understanding about social responsibility and helping those less fortunate then themselves.  This collaboration proved to be important for mutual growth in providing assistance and help to others. 

 

This is the third collaboration between HELP and the Y.E.S. program.  Patients and families were very pleased to have young students visit their older loved ones.  In addition, it was really a great multigenerational project that also was a great collaboration between campuses.

             Here are some of the comments and feedback from patients and families:

*       I liked it.  The girls were very good.  –Enthused patient

      *       I liked them.  (the students) –Satisfied patient

 *       Picture was fun. –Intrigued patient

*       I felt good.  The girl is very mature and intelligent. –Wise patient

*       (The boys) were very proper.  They considered me.  –Distinguished patient

*       Very kind, they keep you busy. –Engaged patient 

*       Thank you so much.  It was nice. -patient

*          The girl is very intelligent. –patient’s family

 

 

For more information about the Trinitas Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP) please contact:

Johanna Thomas, Elder Life Intervention Clinician

Hospital Elder Life Program (HELP)

Trinitas Regional Medical Center

9 south

225 Williamson Street

Elizabeth, NJ  07207

908-994-5620      

  

If you are interested in volunteering with this program or at the hospital, please contact:

Lisa Liss, Director of Volunteers

http://www.trinitashospital.org/volunteer_services.htm

 

 

 Update:

May 11, 2016

Many thanks to Kean University! Their book drive supported the HELP program and our patients will enjoy reading new books due to their generosity. Pictured are HELP program staff, volunteers, the Volunteer Director and Library Director.

waiting for the book delivery

a full book cart for our patients!