Learning Healthy Living at Any Age

Alyssa Boursiquot ’18

Public Health Major Supports Seniors at Traditions of Hanover

You’re never too old to learn something new, especially when it comes to lessons in healthy living. This was senior public health major Alyssa Boursiquot’s approach to her internship at the independent living facility, Traditions of Hanover.

“I wanted to work there because their values coincided with mine,” says Boursiquot, who came upon her internship at the Job and Internship Fair held on campus last year. “I was also really drawn to the work environment. The staff is really caring and compassionate to the residents at the facility.”

As a case management and resident life intern it was Boursiquot’s responsibility to conduct health and wellness presentations, determine residents’ needs through intake interviews, and maintain case management and resident data activity logs.

“This internship expressed the importance of pushing for healthy living and the quality of life, no matter what age,” she says.

“Working in the elderly community showed me how important it is that people are informed about healthy initiatives at any age. I look forward to bringing this approach of health education to different communities and populations in my career.”
–Alyssa Boursiquot ’18

Putting her studies of health promotion and education into practice brought to light the importance of public health initiatives and the impact it has on specific populations such as the elderly, Boursiquot explains.

“I was able to identify the barriers to getting important health information by presenting on different health topics right in the facility. This added value to my education because I was able to use what I learned in real life situations.”

Aside from forming meaningful relationships with the staff and residents, Boursiquot’s biggest takeaway has been its influence on her future career goal of becoming a public health nurse, she says.

“Working in the elderly community showed me how important it is that people are informed about healthy initiatives at any age. I look forward to bringing this approach of health education to different communities and populations in my career.”