AGE-u-cate Training Institute Blog

This week, I had the incredible opportunity to speak at the Meals on Wheels Texas Conference, where I shared our impactful Dementia Live® Experience with MOW community partners from across the state. The discussion was eye-opening and highlighted the pressing need for dementia education and awareness within our communities.

During my session, I posed a thought-provoking question to the attendees: "How many of you feel that your communities are Dementia-Ready?" Not a single positive response echoed in the packed room.

Subsequently, I asked, "How many of you have been personally touched by someone living with dementia?" About 80% of the attendees raised their hands, showcasing the widespread impact of dementia in our society.

The rising incidence of dementia and its toll on families is one piece of a significant domino effect on public health. As a caregiver for both my parents affected by dementia, I can say firsthand that there are no words to describe the emotional and physical price of this journey. I want to explore the broader crisis we face: the cost to our communities, public health, health systems, and the stakeholders who are all invested in this space.

First, let's face the reality: the looming aging tsunami, as it has been referred to for decades, is here. It is no longer a futuristic term. With this in mind, planning is accelerating into action at the federal, state, and local levels.

In today's rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, the demand for highly skilled and knowledgeable dementia professionals is at an all-time high. With the dementia crisis reaching critical levels, the need for individuals who are well-trained and credentialed in this specialized field has never been more pressing. Let's delve into why seeking education and credentialing from reputable organizations is crucial for dementia professionals and the overall quality of care they provide.

1. Enhanced Skills for Exceptional Care

Dementia care is a multifaceted domain that requires a delicate balance of technical expertise and compassionate care. Additional education equips professionals with vital skills such as empathy building, effective communication strategies, and specialized care practices tailored to individuals with dementia. These core competencies are indispensable in navigating the complexities of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, ensuring a higher standard of care for clients and their families.

In today's world, where dementia is becoming increasingly prevalent, it's vital for communities to bridge the gap between knowledge and empathy through comprehensive dementia training. These programs serve as the cornerstone for building trust, enhancing communication, promoting inclusivity, and ultimately fostering a more compassionate and supportive environment for individuals living with dementia. Let's explore how diving into dementia training can create ripples of positive change within communities.

Empathy as the Anchor

At the heart of dementia training lies the cultivation of empathy. By delving into the challenges faced by those living with dementia, training programs dismantle stereotypes and foster a deeper understanding among participants. This newfound empathy becomes the anchor that grounds interactions, leading to increased compassion and respect for individuals affected by dementia. As empathy blooms, so does trust, laying a solid foundation for meaningful connections within the community.

Navigating the Waters of Communication

Effective communication is the bridge that connects individuals, especially when engaging with those living with dementia. Dementia training equips participants with essential communication strategies tailored to the unique needs of individuals with cognitive impairments. Techniques such as using clear language, maintaining eye contact, and practicing active listening become navigational tools in fostering meaningful conversations. As communication barriers dissolve, trust builds naturally, creating smoother sailing in community interactions.

While healthcare is making stride forward, one issue is reaching a critical point that demands urgent attention - dementia. According to the latest statistics from Alzheimer's Disease International, over 10 million new cases of dementia emerge each year worldwide, equating to one new case every 3.2 seconds. Yet, these alarming figures only scratch the surface, as many individuals living with dementia remain undiagnosed. We find ourselves at a global tipping point, necessitating bold and innovative measures to address this crisis head-on.

Dementia readiness is not merely a valid consideration; it is a mandatory imperative for stakeholders across the spectrum of healthcare and aging services. CMS data reveals that dementia ranks as the fourth most costly chronic condition, signaling a financial burden that is escalating with the growing number of affected individuals. The urgency to act is evident, and to navigate this crisis effectively, we must collectively embrace transformative strategies.

In a world that is constantly evolving, facing new challenges, and making strides in healthcare, one issue is reaching a critical point that demands urgent attention - dementia. According to the latest statistics from , over 10 million new cases of dementia emerge each year worldwide, equating to one new case every 3.2 seconds. Yet, these alarming figures only scratch the surface, as many individuals living with dementia remain undiagnosed. We find ourselves at a global tipping point, necessitating bold and innovative measures to address this crisis head-on.

Dementia readiness is not merely a valid consideration; it is a mandatory imperative for stakeholders across the spectrum of healthcare and aging services. CMS data reveals that dementia ranks as the fourth most costly chronic condition, signaling a financial burden that is escalating with the growing number of affected individuals. The urgency to act is evident, and to navigate this crisis effectively, we must collectively embrace transformative strategies.

As Alzheimer's Disease and related dementias continue to rise at exponential rates, there is a pressing need for innovative solutions to address this growing epidemic. The concept of dementia capable systems has emerged as a vital initiative at the federal, state, and community levels to create a supportive environment for individuals living with dementia. Let's delve into the definitions of key terms such as dementia capable, dementia capable systems, dementia friendly communities, and dementia capable care, shedding light on the multifaceted approach required to combat this challenging issue.

Dementia Capable:

Dementia capable, as defined in the U.S. national dementia plan, encompasses activities and enjoyments that support the personhood of individuals living with dementia. It also emphasizes empowering care partners with knowledge, skills, and competency to enhance the quality of life for those affected. This broad scope recognizes the importance of addressing both the needs of individuals with dementia and those providing care.

Caring for individuals living with dementia can be challenging, particularly when their reactions become physically and/or verbally sexual in nature. Care Partners play a crucial role in creating a supportive environment that addresses the unique needs of the person living with dementia while maintaining dignity and safety for all involved. Here are some helpful tips and tools for care partners to keep in their tool box while helping people with sexually related stress reactions.  

Identify Potential Triggers

Identify potential triggers for sexual reactions, such as unmet needs, providing care, or environmental factors. Keep a record of when these reactions occur to recognize patterns and address them.  

Questions to ask: 

• What do you know about this person in your care? Is there a pattern of this type of reaction or is this the first time observed? 
• If there is a pattern, does it seem to be with the same care partner or with any care partner? 
• Observe what is happening in the moment? Even asking someone to get undressed may be misinterpreted.
• Are there visual or auditory cues in the environment such as a picture or something on the television that might trigger this type of reaction? 
• Are movies or music being played that might invoke memories or sexual thoughts? 

The United States is currently facing a severe shortage of healthcare workers who are equipped and prepared to care for the aging population. This shortage is only expected to increase in the coming years, which will ultimately put a tremendous burden on the healthcare service delivery system. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Administration on Aging, approximately 40 million people in the U.S. were aged 65 or older in 2009, and this number is expected to reach at least 72 million by 2030. The majority of healthcare services are focused on older adults, making it crucial to have a sufficient elder care workforce.

One approach to addressing this shortage is to encourage college students to choose careers in elder care. However, there are several barriers in place that make this a challenging goal. Social phenomena such as ageism, lack of awareness of the need for workers, and a general lack of interest in and contact with older adults have been identified as factors that steer students away from working with seniors.

 So, how can we motivate students to enter the elder care workforce? One promising solution is service learning.

This educational approach involves combining classroom instruction with community service projects that enrich students' learning experiences and promote civic engagement. Service learning has been shown to positively impact students' career choices and improve their attitudes towards working with older adults.