Strengthening Geriatric Nursing Education Through Community Partnership
The University of the Cordilleras College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences (UC-CONAHS) formally established a partnership with Rippling River Nursing Home on January 22, 2026, marking a meaningful step in strengthening geriatric nursing education and community-based care for the elderly. The partnership was facilitated through the support of Ms. Bernadette Gacad, whose commitment to promoting dignified and compassionate eldercare has been instrumental in advancing this collaboration.
UC was represented during the partnership activity by Dean Dr. Judith Odanee G. Magwilang, Level 3 Coordinator Dr. Sheila Maria G. Batoon, and faculty members Marilou N. Banusan and Judelyn S. Kingay, reflecting the College’s strong institutional support for service learning and geriatric nursing initiatives.
Rippling River Nursing Home is a long-term care facility dedicated to providing holistic and person-centered care for older adults. The facility caters to elderly residents who require continuous nursing supervision, assistance with activities of daily living, and psychosocial support, while fostering a safe, respectful, and home-like environment that upholds dignity and quality of life.
Through this partnership, UC-CONAHS Level 3 nursing students will gain hands-on clinical exposure in geriatric care, including health assessment, basic nursing interventions, health education, and psychosocial engagement for elderly residents. Faculty-guided activities and collaborative programs will further enhance students’ competencies while responding to the growing health needs of the aging population. This initiative underscores UC-CONAHS’s commitment to producing compassionate, socially responsive nurses and to supporting sustainable, community-based eldercare services.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Alignment
| SDG | Indicator | Contribution of the Initiative |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-Being | 3.8 Achieve universal health coverage, including access to quality essential health-care services | Provides elderly residents with regular nursing care, health assessment, and health education through supervised student and faculty engagement |
| SDG 4 – Quality Education | 4.4 Increase the number of youth and adults with relevant skills for employment | Enhances nursing students’ competencies in geriatric and long-term care through experiential learning |
| SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities | 10.2 Promote social inclusion of all, irrespective of age | Supports inclusive care and social engagement for elderly residents in long-term care settings |
| SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals | 17.17 Encourage effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships | Strengthens collaboration between academe and community institutions to address eldercare needs |
