Pam Brandon

Recent Posts

Decoding Dementia Training: Analyzing Impact and Effectiveness

Posted by Pam Brandon on Dec 22, 2023 11:23:41 AM

 

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Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Communication Skills Training, Dementia Empathy Training

Why Quality of Life Training is a Must for Direct Care Workforce

Posted by Pam Brandon on May 7, 2021 2:00:01 PM

Millions of older adults and people living with disabilities rely on the direct care workforce, and the numbers are growing at an enormous rate every single day.  Sadly, we have undervalued the importance of the direct care workforce and ill prepared the critical need to provide  quality of life and quality of care training.  It's time to change the paradigm.

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Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, Training, Dementia Live, Aging Service Provider, Quality of Life Training, aging, dementia training, older adults, Workforce, Direct Care Workforce Training, REVEAL Aging, staff

Celebrating Older Americans Month - Communities of Strength

Posted by Pam Brandon on Apr 27, 2021 12:54:35 PM


Communities-of-Strength-1-400x340Each May, the Administration for Community Living champions the national observance  of Older Americans Month.  "Communities of Strength" is the theme for 2021.

I can think of no other time in that this theme could be more appropriate as we have witnessed one of the most challenging years in history.  Older Americans have proven to be our source of wisdom, strength, perseverance and a model of overcoming difficulties.   And I will add that the communities that support older adults have risen to the challenges of creating new ways to engage and build even stronger communities in the face of unprecedented challenges brought on by a global pandemic.

The health and well being of older adults, especially is grounded in connecting with others.  It is paramount to the health and well-being of everyone, but especially as we age. 

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Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, Training, Aging Service Provider, aging, Communities of Strength, Community, Older American Month, ACL.gov, older adults, support

How Can We Better Support and Educate Family Caregivers?

Posted by Pam Brandon on Apr 14, 2021 11:10:17 AM

Family CaregiversAccording to estimates from the National Alliance for Caregiving, during the past year, 65.7 million Americans (or 29 percent of the adult U.S. adult population involving 31 percent of all U.S. households) served as family caregivers for an ill or disabled relative.   That is 65.7 million family caregivers who are desperately needing education, training, support and help with finding available resources.  We must do a better job as these numbers are increasing drastically with our aging population.

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Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, aging services, Family Caregiver, Training, Family, Caregiver, caregivers, Aging Service Provider, caregiving, family caregivers, parents, aging, families, REVEAL Aging, staff, workforce training, home health

#KnowMorePD - Elevating Awareness of Parkinson's Disease

Posted by Pam Brandon on Apr 6, 2021 12:38:55 PM

April marks Parkinson's Awareness Month and the theme the Parkinson's Foundation has chosen is #KnowMorePD to help elevate the public's awareness of the disease and to share the resources available to those who are diagnosed with PD and their families

Parkinsons's Disease (PD) is a complex movement disorder with symptoms that vary from person to person.  Some of these symptoms may include tremors, slurred speech,  a masked face, slow movement, and unsteady gait.  Because PD is largely misunderstood  by the general public and even healthcare professionals, it's often frightening to see a person struggle with these symptoms.  And when people don't understand what is happening, they generally react by becoming fearful or avoiding that person.

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Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, Aging Service Provider, caregiving, #KnowMorePD, Parkinson's Foundation, Parkinson's Disease, education, resources, support

CARES Act Grants to Help Social Isolation among Elders

Posted by Pam Brandon on Jan 18, 2021 5:07:04 PM

On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law.   The CARES Act grants totally $955 million will support older adults and people with disabilities in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Organizations that will have access to this funding includes a network of community-based organization such as Area Agencies on Aging, Centers for Independent Living,  senior centers, faith-based organizations and other community-based non-profit organizations that provide resources and services to help older adults and people living with disabilities stay healthy and live independently.   $100 million is earmarked for the National Family Caregiver Support Program to help expand services that aid families and information for caregivers who are providing support for their loved ones at home.

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Topics: Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, Elders, Care Partners, Aging Service Provider, CARES Act, Social isolation, older adults, support, Loneliness, Area Agencies on Aging

Is it Possible for Doctors to Provide Compassionate Care?

Posted by Pam Brandon on Jun 10, 2019 2:34:20 PM

The Physician's Oath promises to approach all patients with integrity, candor, empathy, and respect.  I believe that most doctors take their oath seriously.  I believe most doctors study very hard because they truly want to help other people and make a positive difference in the field of medicine.  Doctors have a tremendous responsibility in today's messy healthcare environment.  They work long hours, have many patients and deal with lots of complications to ultimately deliver the care that their patients need.  So, is it really possible for doctors to provide compassionate care?

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Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, healthcare, Senior Care Professionals, leadership, Hospital Professionals, Faith Community, Doctors, hospitals, patients

The NICHE difference: Preparing Our Long-Term Care Workforce for Tomorrow

Posted by Pam Brandon on Jun 5, 2019 5:11:37 PM

We are thrilled to have recently announced our collaboration with NICHE - Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders, a nation-wide nursing education and consultation program designed to improve geriatric care in healthcare organizations through education and mentorship.

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Topics: Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, Training, Hospital Professionals, AGE-u-cate Training Insitute, older adults, Nurses, Geriatric Nursing, NICHE

Learn the The ABC of Compassionate Communication

Posted by Pam Brandon on May 28, 2019 9:26:00 AM

I'm delighted to share that our Australian Master Trainer, Sue Silcox has authored and published a book - The ABC of Compassionate Communication.  Sue is passionate about helping people become empowered through learning, practice, support, and self-care.

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Topics: Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, dementia, compassionate touch, leadership, Compassion, Passionate, AGE-u-cate Training Insitute, Brain Sparks, communication

Did Your Know that Practicing Gratitude Can Actually Improve Your Health and Well Being

Posted by Pam Brandon on May 6, 2019 9:43:54 AM

Don't you enjoy being around people who are naturally grateful?  Can we cultivate an attitude of gratefulness ourselves?  Of course, we can!  Practicing gratitude not only is good for our souls but can improve our health and well- being.

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Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, leadership, caregiving, gratitude

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