The Wayne State University School of Medicine is seeking 600 senior citizen volunteers to take part in the second year of its Older Adult Home Visit Program.

The program involves first- and second-year medical students visiting senior citizens 65 and older living independently in their homes. The concept behind the program, introduced as a pilot project last year, is to give students experience in home visits early in their medical training.

To instill in students the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to health care, the program will team medical students with WSU students working on bachelor's degrees in social work or WSU students in their second year of work toward a doctor of pharmacy degree.

Jennifer Mendez, Ph.D., director of the School of Medicine's Longitudinal and Co-Curricular Programs and principal investigator for the Older Adult Home Visit Program, says the home visits provide an opportunity for students to better understand the preferences of older adults and their support systems. The visits allow time for more detailed conversations, extending student experience.

Pre- and post-visit data from last year's program, Dr. Mendez said, showed significant change in attitudes of pharmacy and medical students toward the autonomy, acceptability and integrity of older adults. The students also reported interdisciplinary team care improved their professional skills.

The student teams will meet with seniors November through December this year or January through February 2011, at their homes or a location of the participant's choice, such as a church, restaurant or community center.

Senior participants will also be invited to a meeting at WSU next spring so that faculty can gather feedback about their experience with the program.

Seniors interested in participating in the program may call (313) 577-8214, or send an e-mail to jmendez@med.wayne.edu or gbs@wayne.edu.