Service Learning Project

Karley Daniel

Ferris State University 2014

Daily Living Homecare

*For my service learning I chose to volunteer time at Daily Living Homecare, a private duty non-medical homecare agency, volunteering to meet with two clients to assist with special diet education and assist with meal planning and grocery shopping.

*My objective was to assist and educate these clients in the importance of diet and disease management. Assist with answering questions and motivating them to take part in prevention and disease control.

Daily Living Homecare

*Daily Living Homecare is located in Ithaca, MI. It has been in business since 2005. It services the Gratiot/Clinton/Isabella Counties. Provides meal prep, companionship, transportation and personal care.

Diet Education

*I chose to assist clients with education in diet control due to the importance of diet effecting disease management. I wanted clients to see and understand why taking control of their diets would assist in managing their disease. I worked with two clients with congestive heart failure. With heart disease being one of the leading causes of death in America, I wanted to provide one on one education to allow for them to be given the tools to manage their disease.

Volunteering Experience

*During my experience with Daily Living Homecare, I met with two clients in their homes. I provided both with CHF education; a booklet written at an easy reading level that had CHF facts and meal plans. Went over questions and different alternatives to assist them with a CHF diet. Assisted in making a grocery list with one client. Educated both on s/s of CHF exacerbation to monitor for. Educated on what they can do to manage and live with CHF.

Volunteering Reflection

* I felt one client was really interested in what I had to educate about, where the other was not.

* I enjoyed the one on one opportunity to work with these clients as well as the accomplishment feeling of hoping that the clients benefited from the CHF education.

* The clients benefited by being in their own homes and being allowed to ask questions.

* Enjoyed seeing how private duty companies benefit their clients and the relationships they form with them.

* Allowed for me to feel accomplished that I was able to share my knowledge and nursing experiences with others.

* Rewarding to volunteer my time without being paid, able to give back to the community.

Service Learning Purpose

• I felt that the service learning project showed me the importance of volunteering my time and reaching out to other organizations. I felt that I learned from this experience and grew as a nurse. It made me think outside my typical nursing role and felt rewarding to give back to the community.

• It feels good to know that others can gain from my knowledge. I feel passionate to share diet and patient education as it is an important part of nursing.

• It assisted in feeling comfortable, reaching out to other organizations and clients that I am not familiar with. Service learning assists us as nurses in working with the community

Recommendations for Nursing Students

*I would recommend reaching out to something out of your comfort zone when it comes time to choose a service learning project. I continued to choose a home care agency, though it was much different, I wish I had chose something I am not as comfortable with.

*Servicing the community is part of the nursing role; nurses are looked at as role models.

*Connections are formed for nursing students, allowing you to understand the patient, nurse and community bond.