Artist and blogger Phil Davies say the reason most frustrated artist stay frustrated is that they don't know how to practice their drawing and painting skills. Each time they draw or paint a picture, they just hope it turns out better than the last one. If we approach caregiving skills as an art, the question then is can it be mastered?
Pam Brandon
Recent Posts
Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, The Family Caregiver, Senior Care Professionals, caregivers, leadership, caregiving, Faith Community, professionals, art, families
The Big "S" word. It comes up more often than you would think and for good reason. Adult children who are in any phase of caregiving for their parents, even in the very beginning stages share their frustrations of their parents suddenly being stubborn. Why is this happening?
Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, behaviors, caregiving, Faith Community, role reversal, family caregivers, parents, children, older adults
Can we rebuild the brain? Neuroplasticity and Brain/Body Fitness
(Society for Neuroscience) The discovery that the human brain can produce new cells in adulthood offers just one example of how adaptable the brain is throughout life. With this knowledge, researchers are investigating how normal aging as well as neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease affect that adaptability, and how we can maintain healthy brain function as our brains age. So what is neuroplasticity?
Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, dementia, Dementia Live, Ageless Grace, aging, alzheimer's, health, Work, Brain fitness
Boomers Optimistic about Their Future - Until They Need Care
A survey form the National Council on Aging, UnitedHealthcare and USA Today concluded that most Boomers are optimistic about their future. That is until you ask them about needing help as they age. When it comes to the issues surrounding who will provide caregiving when they no longer are able, optimism turns to fear.
Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, caregivers, leadership, caregiving, Faith Community, family caregivers, families, long term care, Shortages, home care, boomers
When Disaster Strikes - Are you Prepared to Care for Your Loved One?
The devastation we are witnessing in the wake of Hurricane Harvey is a reminder that we must all be prepared to care for a loved one, elderly or disabled neighbor or friend when disaster strikes. Here is a list of 6 basic yet vital precautions that everyone should have in place, especially in the event of a natural or manmade disaster:
Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, Family, Faith Community, Emergency Preparation, eldercare, elderly, Seniors, Home safety
Caregiver's Bill of Rights - Words of Guidance and Hope
Families caring for aging adults have and will continue to reach unprecedented numbers affecting every corner of our society. We MUST address the complex needs of this population who are the foundation of long-term care nationwide, exceeding Medicaid long-term care spending in all states (National Alliance for Caregiving and Overcare, March 2009). Jo Horne, author of Caregiving: Helping an Aging Love One created the Caregiver's Bill of Rights. These are powerful and impactful words of hope and guidance for each and every person caring for a family member or friend:
Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, compassionate touch, Hospital Professionals, caregiving, family caregivers, aging, faith communities, long term care, Dementia Live™️
The Art of Being an Effective Dementia Care Detective
Responding to challenging behavior for people living with dementia is often the greatest triggers of stress, helplessness and frustration for professional and family caregivers. Learning to be an effective dementia care detective incorporates knowledge of behavioral expression and having effective tools to respond, reassure and comfort.
Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, dementia care, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, dementia, Care Partners, compassionate touch, Dementia Live, leadership, Caregiver Training, Dementia Detective, Family Education, Dementia Live Training, Behavioral Expression
"The Future Ain't What it Used to Be" - Yogi Berra was Right!
Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra was an American professional baseball catcher, manager, and coach who played 19 seasons in Major League Baseball. One of his famous quotes "The Future Ain't What it Used to Be" couldn't be more appropriate as we look at the paradigm shifts taking place in our aging world.
Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, Aging in the Workplace, leadership, Hospital Professionals, aging, children, health
How Five Minutes a Day Can Transform Care for Older Adults
Time is precious. Staff is in short supply. Family caregivers are stretched to the limit. Just taking care of the basic needs is hard enough, so five minutes a day seems - IMPOSSIBLE!
Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Person-centered, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, Senior Care, Family, compassionate touch, Dementia Live, leadership, Hospital Professionals, education, older adults, staff, communication, touch
What is our Score on Practicing Family-Centered Care?
We're all in this together... the tsunami is here and every one of us serving older adults in some capacity should be getting on the band wagon and FAST. Person and patient centered care must be focused on supporting and educating families. When family-centered care is embraced it becomes an approach to health care decision making that involves health care professionals and family members.
Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Family Caregiver, dementia, Hospital Professionals, Faith Community, chronic illness, education, Dementia friendly hospital, Family-Centered Care, Patient-Centered Care