About the SeniorAdvisor.com 2014 In-Home Innovation Scholarship: We started the scholarship program to bring awareness of the unique benefits and challenges of in-home caregiving for seniors to younger generations. The questions posed by the scholarship encouraged our nation’s future caregivers to present solutions for improving home care in the United States. College-aged students were required to answer one of the three essay topics below and provide a short bio as part of their scholarship application. Read the winning essays here.
How can your major of study improve the lives of seniors receiving in-home care services?
Essay response by Taylor Hawkins
In the profession of in-home care, meal and diet preparation as well as grocery shopping and physical therapy play an important role and relate to the field of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology. As a dietitian, they would be able to improve the lives of seniors receiving in-home care by creating a customized meal plan for each citizen that could be based on their dietary needs, restrictions and/or illness/disease. One could complete the seniors grocery shopping and have the advantage of making sure they are receiving adequate nutrients, meeting their restrictions, and consuming the best food to aid in recovery from or to potentially treat an illness or disease. Most seniors are unable to prepare meals or are independently living but need assistance and having a dietitian working in this type of environment would be beneficial. A dietitian could prepare their meals on a regular basis or have the senior prepare the meals alongside them. Physical therapy again would allow the senior to remain independent but have the opportunity for a physical therapist to come and help remediate from an impairment or disability.
My majors of study would be able to improve the lives of seniors that receive in-home care services. Having a dietitian to grocery shop, prepare meals, and/or individualize a meal plan plays an important role in the health and well-being of everyone, especially seniors. In my own life, I have noticed the aging generations to shy away from nutrition advice but it is still significant throughout the lifespan. Physical therapy could not only help remediate from an impairment or disability but also prevent future occurrences.
In-home care services have opened my eyes to a variety of careers that can arise from each of my chosen majors. Diet and exercise are a necessity in daily living and a dietitian or physical therapist around to assist would benefit seniors.
About Taylor
Taylor is a junior at Kent State University and pursing two bachelor’s degrees, one in Nutrition and the other in Exercise Physiology.
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