'Samen Dementievriendelijk' teaches people to recognize and help people with dementia

Posted by Pam Brandon on May 25, 2018 8:30:12 AM

I thought this intriguing blog post title would spark some interest, as I'm writing this while on a European trip that will be concluding in Amsterdam.  Samen Dementievriendelijk is the Netherland's Dementia Delta Plan, which aims to create dementia-friendly communities by teaching people to recognize and help people living with dementia.

Read More

Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, dementia, Dementia Live, Hospital Professionals, dementia friendly, Dutch, Samen Dementievriendelijk, Netherlands, Dementiadelta Plan

Why Aging Well is Everyone's Business

Posted by Pam Brandon on May 22, 2018 8:30:37 AM

Having a sense of purpose and a community network in which to provide these avenues seems to be important for brain health, an important component of aging well. But aging well starts with more basic work.  Some of these include:

Read More

Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, Aging in the Workplace, dementia, leadership, aging, Mental Health, Depression, Aging Well, Anxiety, health

Signs and Symptoms of Caregiver Burnout Not to Miss

Posted by Pam Brandon on May 18, 2018 8:30:19 AM

It is a rare occasion when either speaking to or meeting with family caregivers that I do not have tucked away this invaluable list of signs and symptoms of caregiver burnout to share with them before I leave.    My advice to caregivers is to print this list out and place in a plastic sleeve and tape it to your bathroom mirror.  Every single day you should be aware of these signs - often that creep in slowly- and zap our ability to cope, quickly leading to caregiver burnout.

Read More

Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, Family, Caregiver, caregivers, Faith Community, family caregivers, Caregiver Burnout, Burnout, Public health crisis, Professional Caregivers, Caregiver Stress

Alcohol-related Brain Damage (ARBD) and Dementia

Posted by Pam Brandon on May 15, 2018 8:30:27 AM
3D collection of alcoholic beverages bottles isolated on white background
Read More

Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, dementia, Faith Community, Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome, ARBD, Alcohol-related brain damage, older adults

Caregiver Resentment and How it's like Weeds in your Garden!

Posted by Pam Brandon on May 11, 2018 8:30:06 AM

I just can't help but talk about gardening this time of year.  I admit it - I'm addicted.  It's not uncommon for me to get my garden gloves on early on a Saturday morning and still have them on when at sundown.  Once I start working in my garden, I just can't stop - especially this time of year.  So why am I going to talk about caregivers resentment and weeds in your garden?

Read More

Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, Caregiver, caregivers, Faith Community, family caregivers, Pam Brandon, Resentment

The Important Role of Faith Community Nursing

Posted by Pam Brandon on May 8, 2018 5:03:45 PM

Faith-based hospital organizations recognize the impact of partnerships with their local faith-based communities.  The important role of faith community nursing programs is to bridge the gap in helping congregational nurses to meet the needs of their faith communities.

Read More

Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, dementia, Hospital Professionals, Faith Community, faith communities, Community, families, hospitals, older adults, Nurses, hospital

Why YOUR City Needs to become Dementia Friendly

Posted by Pam Brandon on May 4, 2018 10:29:31 AM

I'm honored to be part of the exciting Dementia Friendly Fort Worth initiative.  Not only are we the first major city in Texas to undertake this effort, but one of the largest cities in the United States.  We are part of Dementia Friendly America (DFA), which is a multi-sector collaborative on a mission to foster "dementia friendly" communities across the nation.

Read More

Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, The Family Caregiver, Senior Care Professionals, Care Partners, Dementia Live®Training, leadership, dementia friendly, Faith Community, Dementia Friendly America, Community, Dementia Friendly Fort Worth

Responding to Agitation and Aggression in persons living with Dementia

Posted by Pam Brandon on Apr 24, 2018 4:53:47 PM

Agitation and Aggression- Individuals with dementia frequently become restless, anxious, or upset you may see a resident pacing, moving furniture or objects, talking to themselves, yelling or swearing. These behaviors can escalate to aggressive behaviors like, threatening or causing harm to another by pushing or hitting, cornering another resident or staff, or even throwing objects or food. And unfortunately, aggression among people with dementia can happen suddenly and seemingly without warning.

Read More

Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, dementia, caregivers, Dementia Live, behaviors, Behavior Expression, Agression, Agitation, environment

News Flash! Our Seniors are Drowning in Drugs

Posted by Pam Brandon on Apr 20, 2018 11:53:06 AM

I recently attended a conference and listened to a geriatrician share that the average number of medications her patients are on when they come to her practice is a shocking 18 - 24.  That's per DAY! No doubt we have a serious epidemic in this country - our seniors are drowning in drugs.

Read More

Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, The Family Caregiver, healthcare, Senior Care Professionals, Elders, Hospital Professionals, Faith Community, elderly, Seniors, older adults, Polypharmacy, Drugs, patients

What Nurses Need to Know about Parkinson's Disease

Posted by Pam Brandon on Apr 13, 2018 11:47:28 AM

As a  geriatric nurse, I rather frequently see the effects of age and disease on the body. Of course, different diseases manifest in different ways, and while some of those signs and symptoms may mirror those of old age, others may not. As a result, it is important that I, and other geriatric nurses like me, recognize how Parkinson’s disease might affect a patient under our care so that we can better care for them and meet their needs.

Read More

Topics: The Family Caregiver, Senior Care Professionals, Hospital Professionals, Mental Health, Nurses, Parkinson's patients, patients, dopamine, substantia nigra, Parkinson's Diseases, Geriatric Nursing, Multiple Sclerosis, Hoehm-Yahr scale

Subscribe to Our Blog

Lists by Topic

see all

Posts by Topic

See all

Recent Posts