Laura Ellen Christian

Laura Ellen Christian
Laura Ellen comes to AGE-u-cate with 17 years of experience in the senior living industry. She began her career as an Activity Director for a senior living community, which quickly led to the opportunity to an expand her reach. For the past 14 years she has led The Arbor Company in the development and implementation of comprehensive dementia training programs for care partners and innovative engagement programs for seniors at large. “As evident in my tenure with the Arbor Company, I take pride in aligning myself with well-rounded, compassionate people. I quickly found that connection with the AGE-u-cate team several years ago and feel fortunate to open the next chapter of my career with this organization.” Laura Ellen leads the strategic development of AGE-u-cate’s brand awareness, product accessibility across market channels and quality collaborative partnerships. She is a graduate of the University of Georgia and lives in Smyrna, GA with her husband and two boys.
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Recent Posts

Dementia Challenges & Strategies in the Local Community

Posted by Laura Ellen Christian on Nov 9, 2023 9:30:00 AM
You're in for a treat!  AGE-u-cate is honored to welcome a guest blogger, Laurie Scherrer.  Laurie is Programs Director of Dementia Action Alliance (DAA) and is an active member of DAA's Executive Board. 

    Through her extensive work in supporting initiatives of DAA and her experience living with dementia, Laurie is a strong advocate for quality of life.  She was diagnosed with young onset dementia in August of 2013 at the age of 55. Unable to continue a professional career she turned her focus towards helping others through their dementia journey, Laurie and her husband, Roy, work continuously to identify triggers that cause her confusion and they make adjustments to overcome obstacles. Laurie is a Dementia Mentor and is active in many support groups. On her website, dementiadaze.com, Laurie shares her feelings, challenges, symptoms, and adjustments in hopes of encouraging other individuals and families living with dementia to explore ways to live beyond dementia.  

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    Topics: dementia friendly, Dementia Friendly America, understanding, dementia education, Dementia friendly community, Dementia Awareness, kindess

    Resource RoundUp: Useful Tools to Support the Aging Services Industry in Igniting Change

    Posted by Laura Ellen Christian on Jan 12, 2023 1:40:49 PM

    Is one of your organization’s goals to invest more in learning, growth and development opportunities for team members?  Or to focus on the customer experience?  Maybe it's to be more of a resource for the industry? 

    A key way to begin chipping away at any goal is to gather information that can support strategies to achieve success. 

    Here are a few quick resources in these top categories: 
    • Staff Training and Education 
    • Resident or Client Engagement 
    • Family and Professional Caregiver Support 

    Staff Training and Education Resources

    How Training has Evolved over the Years

    Take a listen to a conversation between two industry leaders talking about training and education evolutions and strategies for success. 

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    Topics: aging services, Caregiver Training, resources, dementia education, resident engagement, Family Caregiver Education, staff development

    Elevating Human Connection: How Hospice Organizations Use Compassionate Touch to Build Community

    Posted by Laura Ellen Christian on Nov 17, 2022 12:00:00 PM

    Recently I had the pleasure of connecting with Alena Dailey,  Integrative Arts Manager for  Hospice of the Chesapeake while hosting AGE-u-cate's quarterly chat for Compassionate Touch® coaches.  Have you ever connected with someone and instantly felt a sense of comfort?  Like you've known this person forever, but you just met?  That's what it was like talking to Alena!  She's passionate about elevating quality of life for elders and creative in how to accomplish her mission.  Here's a simple yet powerful quote from Alena:

    A lot of people forget patients still need human touch” 

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    Topics: compassionate touch, human connection, compassionate leadership, compassion culture

    Dementia Community Outreach: How Area Agencies on Aging Use Education to Build Community

    Posted by Laura Ellen Christian on Oct 6, 2022 12:00:00 PM

    Last Spring I had the pleasure of connecting with Ellie Webb,  Dementia Care Specialist for the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of the North in Wisconsin.  That connection led to an in-person visit to train Ellie and 9 other team members from surrounding counties supported by the ADRC of the North to become Dementia Live® Coaches. Apart from the beautiful drive through rural Wisconsin as I made my way to the tip of the state on the coast of Lake Superior, spending time with such passionate people anchored in a similar mission to ignite change for their communities filled by buckets and my soul!  View my full LinkedIn post for more pictures. 

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    Topics: Dementia Live, Dementia Live®Training, Dementia Care Outreach Education

    Sales & Marketing Tips for Senior Services: 5 Steps to Know Your Customer’s Needs

    Posted by Laura Ellen Christian on Sep 22, 2022 12:00:00 PM


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    Topics: Flashback Reminiscence Training

    Basic Skillsets for Care Partners: Are We Getting It Wrong?

    Posted by Laura Ellen Christian on Aug 25, 2022 12:00:00 PM
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    Topics: Caregiver Training, quality of life, caregiver education

    Two Ways To Unleash Innovation & Increase Productivity In The Workplace

    Posted by Laura Ellen Christian on Jul 21, 2022 12:00:00 PM

     

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    Topics: leadership

    Compassionate Leadership: Building MORALE

    Posted by Laura Ellen Christian on Jun 2, 2022 12:00:00 PM
    Cultivating my ability to be a good leader has been 18 years in the making, and what I've learned most is that becoming a good leader is a journey, not a destination. And a key ingredient is cultivating compassion.
     
    As an executive for a senior living management company, I was directly responsible for a team of six people and indirectly responsible for each Engagement Director across a 40+ community landscape. That's almost 50 people who were relying on me in some way to be a good leader! Luckily, I worked for a company that prioritized people and consistently created a culture anchored in a growth mindset. 
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    Topics: compassionate touch, Caregiver Burnout, cultivating empathy, compassionate leadership, growth mindset

    10 Ways To Elevate Engagement Professionals

    Posted by Laura Ellen Christian on May 3, 2022 9:54:55 AM

    1. Your Program is More Than a Calendar
    The calendar is only 25% of engagement in your community. The remaining 75% is just as critical; resident discovery, fostering new and ongoing relationships between staff to residents and staff to staff, communication tactics, and partnerships with the greater community.


    2. What if Residents Had a More Active Role in the Planning Process?
    The approach to creating a calendar can look different! Resident designed. Weekly approach versus monthly approach.

    3.Community Engagement = Collaboration
    Interdepartmental collaboration between programming/activities, dining/culinary, sales, and marketing to ensure experiences are designed to be elevated and engaging and marketing and sales know-how to how to share via media and with prospective residents and families.

    4. Turn Your Gaze Inward
    Your greatest asset lives and works in your community….the residents and staff! Both are filled with passions and skills that can enhance community engagement. We cannot plan a life “for” someone, instead, it has to be “with.”

    5. Stop Buying “Stuff”
    Budget-friendly program opportunities….movement, breathing, going outdoors, gratitude, and building connections and what about being green and environmentally friendly.

    6. Learning About the Growth Factor
    Activities versus Programs….know the difference.


    7. Boardroom Confidence
    Take a seat at the table….how to make a business case for your needs.


    8. Engagement Begins with Discovery
    Resident discovery….what do you want to learn? Where does this information “live”? Who can access this information? How often do you update it?


    9. Don’t Take it Personal – Level Up
    Leaving the past in the past! How to move forward thoughtfully and professionally.

    10. Self-Advocacy & Professional Development
    Find a mentor! LinkedIn, fellow senior living colleagues, etc. Find someone who teaches you to have the confidence and demeanor to advocate for yourself with facts and data, not losing your composure and becoming emotional.



    I posted an article on LinkedIn sharing perspectives on how engagement professionals can maintain the traction gained of respect and enhanced quality during the pandemic.  Check it out for a free download of/ a Tips for Elevating Engagement Professionals handout as well as a full recording of a recent conversation with Sara Kyle and Kelly Stranburg with LE3Solutions and myself!  You're sure to find encouragement, best practices, and next steps as you continue the good work in your community.  AGE-u-cate and LE3Solutions are here to support you!

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    Topics: resident engagement, quality of life, employee engagement

    Age-u-cate Featured on SeniorTrade

    Posted by Laura Ellen Christian on Sep 28, 2021 1:54:20 PM

    AGE-u-cate thrives on relationships, whether that be with aging services providers or industry partners.  

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    Topics: culture change, Alzheimer's disease, dementia care training, education and training, staff retention, microlearning, experiential training

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