Melissa Batchelor

Transportation is more than just driving; it's all the different ways we move around our communities. - Melissa Batchelor, PhD, RN, FNP-BC, FGSA, FAAN   According to the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging, almost 600,000 older adults quit driving each year. This makes doctor's appointments, shopping for needs, visiting relatives, and attending social [...]

Facilitating greater participation — specified as engagement in social activities that provide opportunities for social interaction with others in the community — is pivotal for granting older adults to fulfill their basic socialization needs, self-actualization and supporting society in dealing with population aging. In the United States, almost a quarter of community-dwelling older adults are [...]

The state of health of the individual receiving care is connected to the forms of help and care provided by caregivers. Yet despite this analogy, Federal employment statistics indicate that long-term care workforce concerns remain at a 'crisis' level. As per American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living statistics from the January Bureau of [...]

Lifelong learning involves being intentional about learning new things, no matter how old you are. - Melissa Batchelor, PhD, R.N., FNP-BC, FGSA, FAAN   Learning throughout one's life encourages social inclusion and improves one's health. There’s a substantial correlation between learning and improved health, especially among older adults. The notion of life-long learning encompasses not [...]

One in every five Americans—nearly 80 million people—will be over 65 in 20 years, and surveys suggest that almost 90% intend to stay in their own homes  as long as possible. However, the nation now lacks the affordable housing and accompanying social services required to meet these needs. In particular, the four issues are; The [...]

Older adults are at a greater risk of death, hospitalizations, and the impacts of chronic health conditions such as heart disease, renal disease, lung disease, and diabetes than younger people (Glass, 2006). Preparing older adults and their families is the foundation of a resilient community. Improved emergency preparedness aims to reduce harm while also enabling [...]

The proportion of older adults with unmet care and support needs continues to grow significantly as care systems face significant problems in the United States of America. Although 20% of older adults aged 60 and over use home- and community-based support and health services, many older Amerian’s and their families have a vague understanding of [...]

With the population's aging, community engagement has become a critical factor in achieving healthy aging. Low levels of community engagement have been associated with higher death rates and social isolation. In line with these themes, the active aging approach of the World Health Organization and the age-friendly community strategy are both participatory and empowering. They [...]