Each 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
Aging Services providers are screaming from the mountain tops about the workforce crisis. Could it be that policy makers are finally listening?
The workforce crisis is about the inability of aging services providers to fill open positions and the lack of competitive wages.
Most definitely, a hopeful headline announced President Biden's plan investing billions to build an aging services workforce.
The Value of Excellence in Elder Care
The time is right to seriously discuss the value of quality Elder Care in the United States. In addition, it is imperative that we intensify advocacy for improvements to strengthen services and supports for consumers. Moreover, we must enhance jobs for 4.6 million home care workers and nursing assistants.
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Topics:
Senior Care Professionals,
aging services,
Aging in the Workplace,
caregivers,
Aging Service Provider,
Professional Caregiver,
Hospital Professionals,
elder care,
home care,
aging services workforce,
workforce crisis
According 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
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
The Aging Services Industry faces a triple-whammy when it comes to workforce turnover and retention.
The first hit is the massive turnover that occurred and continues to occur because of the pandemic. Second, the turnover is on top of existing unfillable vacant positions. Thirdly, there are new entrants into the field who have no prior experience caring for older adults.
We don't want just warm bodies. Yet, providers had to scurry and pull from every corner to get to bare staffing requirements. Now, providers hang on hope that the good employees will not jump ship as the pandemic fades. What are we to do about this massive issue?
Much of the focus will continue to be on recruiting new employees, and rightly so. However, great attention needs to be given to how to keep the new, good employees. At the same time, it is critical to also maintain the spirit and engagement of the seasoned employees.
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Topics:
AGE-u-cate Training Institute,
Senior Care Professionals,
aging services,
Training,
Hospital Professionals,
Caregiver Training,
aging,
AGE-u-cate®,
education,
AGE-u-cate Training Insitute,
Employees,
Pam Brandon,
turnover,
older adults,
AGE-u-cate Training,
REVEAL Aging
This is where people want to be.. home. It is time to examine changes needed for people stay safe and well with availability of appropriate care and services.
The Home Health/Care Industry quickly stepped up to the plate during the COVID pandemic. The demand for services ballooned almost over-night, and providers responded with a fierce determination to serve those in need.
The challenges were not that different from long term care. However, one might argue they were a bit more challenging due to the remote nature of the workforce.
COVID testing and protocol training required an enormous amount of coordination. Another challenge was the lack of testing for the home-bound elders, and discovering that in desperation for care, dishonesty of symptoms was a factor.
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Topics:
The Family Caregiver,
Senior Care Professionals,
aging services,
Family Caregiver,
Training,
Aging Service Provider,
Hospital Professionals,
caregiving,
aging,
Workforce,
home care,
COVID,
home health
Nursing Home Administrators are unsung heroes before, during and after the pandemic. On this occasion of Nursing Home Administrator's Week, AGE-u-cate Training Institute extends our thanks and admiration for the tireless commitment of these professionals.The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that a health services manager plans, directs and coordinates the business of activities of healthcare providers, and this includes nursing home administrators.
It is difficult to define such a complex job. However, I think the BLS should update the position responsibilities for the LNHA.
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Topics:
AGE-u-cate Training Institute,
Senior Care Professionals,
aging services,
Training,
AGE-u-cate®,
AGE-u-cate Training
Touch connects humans to each other, reduces stress, and communicates care and concern. Don't we all need a little more of this these days?
Compassionate Touch® is an effective caregiving technique that combines expressive touch and compassionate presence. The good- old-fashioned back rub is making its way back to eldercare, reinforcing that touch is beneficial for everyone.
But, let's not stop at the back. Add shoulders, arms and hands, legs and feet, and now we have a powerful caregiving protocol that is easy to learn and so effective.
Eldercare providers need tools that improve the quality of life for those they serve. Additionally, providers need ways improve the quality of the work experience for their employees. I would argue that there has never been a more critical time than now to seek new ways to retain employees.
Compassionate Touch® hits the mark on both counts.
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Topics:
Senior Care Professionals,
aging services,
Caregiver,
caregivers,
compassionate touch,
caregiving,
Stress,
eldercare,
AGE-u-cate Training Insitute,
Employees,
touch
Human beings need the connection of touch for wellbeing. Expressive Touch is possible and necessary, even during a pandemic.
The pandemic has made us all wary of getting too close to others, and rightly so. Shivers might run down your spine thinking about touching someone not related to you.
Touch, meaning holding a hand, offering a hug or a warming shoulder rub. Can we? Should we? Touch, is a touchy subject these days, after all.
People express their fatigue with pandemic-style living. How many times have you heard, "I'm so over it"?
Imagine how over it elders who live in elder care communities must feel? Separated from family and friends for a year with a profound absence of expressive touch in their lives.
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Topics:
Senior Care Professionals,
aging services,
Elders,
compassionate touch,
caregiving,
expressive touch
Presbyterian Senior Living offers love, connection and comfort to their elders by creatively keeping Compassionate Touch moving forward during the pandemic.
AGE-u-cate honors the wonderful work at Presbyterian Senior Living (PSL), based in Dillsburg, Pennsylvania.
Alicia Fenstermacher, PSL Corporate Director of Purposeful Living and AGE-u-cate Certified Master Trainer shared how PSL keeps resident and employee well-being front and center during the pandemic with Compassionate Touch.
Since 2015, Compassionate Touch is integrated into the culture of care and service at PSL. They have over 230 certified Compassionate Touch Coaches, and 989 trained caregivers.
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Topics:
AGE-u-cate Training Institute,
Senior Care Professionals,
aging services,
Elders,
compassionate touch,
Senior Living,
AGE-u-cate®,
AGE-u-cate Training,
touch
