In the sea of dementia care training, leaders can be overwhelmed when evaluating options. This article provides practical guidance if you are just getting started in creating a dementia training program or if you are re-evaluating current practices. 

Before you learn the six components that define quality dementia care training, I'm going to discuss four fundamental truths: 

We Must Educate, Engage, and Retain Employees

Aging service providers are experiencing dangerously high staff shortages that impact the quality of care, employee retention, and family satisfaction. These together directly affect the bottom line. 

Studies reveal a correlation between the lack of investment in care team education and turnover, with staff reporting feeling ill-prepared for their work with older adults, especially those with memory loss. It's time for a change!

By 2050, the world's population of people ages 60 years and older will double (2.1 billion). The number of persons aged 80 years or older is expected to triple between 2020 and 2050 to reach 426 million (WHO).   

Global communities face the complex challenges of an aging population that far outpaces the current capacities of healthcare and community services.   

Aging service providers across the landscape urgently need practical and effective education and training that prepare and equip the workforce, families, and those who, in any capacity, serve the aging population. 

(Make 2023 a Year Committed to Goals that Matter)

"Our very survival depends on our ability to stay awake, to adjust to new ideas, to remain vigilant, and to face the challenge of change." – Martin Luther King Jr.

 

 

 

 

Getting together with loved ones during the holiday season is one of the season's great joys. But, unfortunately, too often, our visits with our elders end up being a disappointment. Why?

Many times the reason is simply poor planning. For example, we haven't talked to other family members who can share updates on their physical, cognitive, or emotional health. Or, we assume that everything is status quo without checking in first and asking questions. 

Like us, elders change. The difference is that older adults with a chronic illness or cognitive changes are more likely to experience more dramatic fluctuations in their abilities. 

So, preparing for a family visit is one of the essential tasks to ensure an engaging visit! Here are a few tips that will help family members and loved ones avoid a disappointing visit:

Quality Time Together is a Precious Gift