Research has shown that volunteering leads to better health and that older volunteers are the most likely to receive physical and mental health benefits from their volunteer activities. Volunteering often leads to what is referred to as a "helper's high".
Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, The Family Caregiver, Senior Care Professionals, Faith Community, Area Agencies on Aging, N4A Conference, N4A, wellness, volunteering, boomers
Call it awareness, attention, focus, presence, or vigilance. It's proving to be a powerful and effective practice in coping with stress. Caregiving can easily top the charts on stress, especially for caregivers of elders with chronic illness and dementia. Mindfulness for caregivers means learning to live in the moment, accept the reality of a situation, and filter out distractions.
Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, Caregiver, compassionate touch, Dementia Live, Centering, Stress, families, Mindfulness
Caregivers of older adults are some of the most selfless, committed people on the planet. Simply put, not everyone is cut out to be a caregiver. The problem lies in the fact that some caregivers believe they are the only ones who can care properly for their family member. This is often referred to as Caregiver Martyr Syndrome.
Topics: The Faith Community, AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, dementia, caregiver martyr syndrome, Faith Community
Neurological research substantiates that human beings appear to be "wired" to be empathetic. In other words, we all have an innate ability to be empathetic. Would empathy training in dementia care provide a strong foundation tool for front line staff to help improve the quality of life for those living with dementia?
Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, dementia care, Senior Care Professionals, Dementia Live, leadership, Empathy Training
The number of older adults with dementia is forecast to more than double in the next 40 years. Training people to care for these individuals - both professionals and families is paramount in improving the quality of life for the caregiver as well as the care receiver. Is it time to get back to basics in our approach to education and training?
Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, dementia care, Senior Care Professionals, compassionate touch, Dementia Live, leadership
Losing sleep, poor eating habits, irritability or short tempered - these symptoms may start small and snowball quickly into what is referred to as caregiver burnout. Professionals and families need to know what to look for and how to help caregivers. It's a serious matter and growing, as more families are caring for their loved ones at home with little or no help.
Topics: The Faith Community, AGE-u-cate Training Institute, dementia care, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, Senior Care, Dementia Live, Hospital Professionals, Stress, Burnout, Alzheimer's Association, elder care, education, resources, dementia training, Area Agencies on Aging
The rapid pace of our aging world is changing the face of every facet of our society from health and long term care, to faith communities and business establishments. Across the spectrum, issues such as these are at the forefront of leadership discussions:
Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, Aging in the Workplace, compassionate touch, Dementia Live, Professional Caregiver, Hospital Professionals, Faith Community, Age friendly business, elder care, long term care, Dementia friendly hospital
Looking back to my years a family caregiver, I wonder if I'd worn a badge that read "Fragile - Handle with Care", it might have been easier for others to understand me. Why I often had puffy eyes from crying, or scatter brained from sleep deprivation. I can remember a certain period of time when I was issued a number of traffic violations...speeding through a school zone of all things (my children were both in elementary school at the time). Thank goodness this was before cell phones. There were times when I simply wasn't myself. I was emotional, physically and spiritually worn out and burned out. Thinking clearly was often a challenge because I was overwhelmed.
Topics: The Faith Community, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, family caregivers, education, resources, understanding, support
Our guest blogger is AGE-u-cate Master Trainer, Sue Wilson, LMSW, CADDCT, CDP - 360 Elder Solutions (www.360eldersolutions.com)
Topics: The Faith Community, AGE-u-cate Training Institute, The Family Caregiver, Senior Care Professionals, Elders, dementia, Dementia Live, 360 Eldercare Solutions, alzheimer's, family engagement, collages
I'm always energized after attending and speaking at conferences. Learning about creative programming, new technologies being developed and how we are preparing for the next wave of seniors makes me even more excited about our future as a training and education provider. To be in the senior care industry today means adventure at every corner!
Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, compassionate touch, Dementia Live, Eversound, Hospital Professionals, Eldergrow, Ageless Grace, SingFit, Senior Care Industry
