ISU-Boise nursing students to provide health screenings Aug. 20

When Linda Mikitish was looking for volunteers to help Mountain States Group, Inc., with its foster grandparents training day Aug. 20, she immediately thought of the fast-track nursing program at Idaho State University-Boise.

Mikitish, a 2008 graduate of the program, was in need of students to conduct health assessments of 60 foster grandparents, who’ll mentor youngsters in Treasure Valley schools this fall

ISU students were quick to sign up, says Mikitish, who works as a registered nurse in the cardiovascular unit at St. Luke’s Meridian Medical Center. Students will test blood glucose levels, check blood pressure, catalog medications, and educate seniors about hypertension and diabetes.

“The training day will give nursing students the opportunity to practice their screening and education skills on an elder population,” said Mikitish. “We have a wonderful opportunity to better someone’s life by promoting good health. That’s what nursing is all about,” she added.

Foster Grandparents is a national program that began in 1965. The senior citizens, who live on limited incomes, mentor young people in schools, hospitals correctional institutions and child care centers. They receive an hourly non-taxable stipend, according to the organization’s Web site and Kristen Tracy, who oversees the Foster Grandparents Program for Mountain States Group, Inc., a nonprofit health services organization located in Boise.

The Treasure Valley training day is Wednesday, Aug. 20, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., at the Joint School District No. 2 Service Center, 1303 E. Central Drive, in Meridian.

For information about the health screenings and ISU’s involvement with the event, call Linda Mikitish at 208-602-5933. For information about the Foster Grandparents Program, contact Kristen Tracy at 208-336-5533 or e-mail her at ktracy@mtnstatesgroup.org.