By Michelle Hines, University Relations
Contact: (336) 334-5371
Posted 5-21-08
GREENSBORO, NC – The School of Nursing is partnering with Well·Spring Retirement Community and the Greensboro Housing Authority to improve the health of Greensboro’s older adults.
The creation of the Well·Spring-UNCG School of Nursing Health Centers marks an expansion of a 20-year partnership between the school of nursing and the housing authority to provide health services in housing authority communities. Well·Spring will provide $100,000 per year for the next five years to give residents access to the types of care that are not easily available or accessible. Nursing professors, students and other professionals will staff the centers.
“The addition of Well·Spring to the partnership will enhance the health centers and ultimately address the health disparity of housing authority residents and improve their quality of life,” said Tina Akers Brown, executive director of the housing authority.
The health center sites will prepare nursing students to care for older adults and other vulnerable populations, to improve life expectancy outcomes, to improve quality of life and to eliminate health disparity where possible. The joint initiative will engage residents in promotion and education of good health practices and management of chronic illness, facilitate access to needed services and encourage appropriate use of the healthcare system.
“We are extremely pleased to partner with the UNCG School of Nursing to create and expand services to Greensboro’s older adults,” said Stephen Fleming, Well·Spring CEO. “The health center program fits perfectly with the Well·Spring mission to exceed the needs of an evolving population of older adults.”
Dr. Lynne Pearcey, dean of the nursing school said the collaboration will give students and faculty an “opportunity for educational experiences in a dynamic setting while meeting the needs of older adults in the community.”
Well·Spring, located in Greensboro, was founded in 1986 by a multi-denominational group of nine local churches. It is the area’s only not-for-profit lifecare retirement community.
