@article{Cheslock_Wunderlich_Afonso_2018, title={Older adult perspectives on their role in a Community-Based Health Profession Education Project}, volume={66}, url={https://www.jgerontology-geriatrics.com/article/view/99}, abstractNote={<p><strong>Background and aims</strong>. Although 18.7 million adults ages 55 and older volunteer in their communities each<br>year, it is unclear which factors motivate them to participate in community-based education programs, such as<br>the Partners in Care program. Partners in Care pairs medical, physical therapy, and nursing students together<br>to conduct home care visits with older adults. This project seeks to understand how older adults define their<br>role as educators and learn which factors motivate them to volunteer.<br><strong>Methods</strong>. This mixed-methods study employed a survey measuring attitudes about volunteering and an optional&nbsp;focus group. The research team developed the survey tool, which included 25 Likert scale items and two open-ended questions. The focus group consisted of 13 randomly selected program volunteers.<br><strong>Results</strong>. A total of 101 surveys were sent with a response rate of 62%. Respondents’ ages ranged from 65<br>to &gt; 80. Alpha factor analysis of the survey and thematic analysis of focus group data revealed seven themes<br>for why older adults volunteer: altruism, personal development, feeling part of a community, education of<br>students, uniqueness of program, engagement with students, and sharing unique health experiences as older<br>adults. Feedback and suggestions were also collected.<br><strong>Conclusions</strong>. Partners in Care provides students with an opportunity to engage older adults, meet established<br>geriatric competencies, and gain insight into interprofessional teamwork. By understanding older adults’ perspectives&nbsp;on their role as educators, we hope to improve volunteer satisfaction, expand the program, and<br>encourage further interactions between older adults and health professional students.</p&gt;}, number={1}, journal={JOURNAL OF GERONTOLOGY AND GERIATRICS}, author={Cheslock, M. and Wunderlich, T. and Afonso, N.M.}, year={2018}, month={Mar.}, pages={30-35} }