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
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
Touch is one of our most fundamental needs.
Topics: dementia care, The Family Caregiver, Senior Care Professionals, Training, compassionate touch, Hospital Professionals, End-of-life, Skilled Touch, AGE-u-cate Training Instiute
Montessori's education method for childhood learning was launched in the early 1900s by Maria Montessori. It calls for free activity within a "prepared environment", meaning an educational environment tailored to basic human characteristics, to the specific characteristics of children at different ages, and to the individual personalities of each child. The function of the environment is to help and allow the child to develop independence in all areas according to his or her inner psychological directives. In addition to offering access to the Montessori materials appropriate to the age of the children, the environment should exhibit the following characteristics:
Topics: dementia care, The Family Caregiver, Senior Care Professionals, Memory Care, activities, eldercare, Montessori, resident engagement
When visiting someone with dementia, be ready for anything. Things can change day- to- day, even moment- to- moment in dementia care. A little preparation can go a long way to help create a positive experience in dementia care. Have a “magic bag” ready that you can pull things out of that may reach through the dementia to the person inside.
Topics: dementia care, The Family Caregiver, Person-centered, Senior Care Professionals, Memory Care, culture change, care staff, Caregiver
Healthcare is quickly becoming dementia care. Whether you work in a clinic, long term care, home care, or hospital, you will interact with people dementia. And these people will likely have speech and language challenges. Dementia care training often focuses on the underlying impairment when care partners really need practical solutions. Easy-to-learn dementia communication skills, save both parties frustration. Here are a helpful strategies.
Topics: dementia care, Person-centered, Senior Care Professionals, Memory Care
Thank you to Pioneer Network for allowing us to share these thoughts..
Houston, We Have a Problem
Ruta Kadonoff
Executive Director, Pioneer Network
Is it just me, or are there red flags everywhere lately, calling on us to take notice of the impending collision between our demographics and our workforce trends? Evidence is mounting and the chorus of voices is growing, begging us to recognize that we are on the brink of true crisis. I see many parallels between this issue and the climate change discussion. Whatever your personal convictions about possible causes and potential solutions to either, the data seem to be increasingly clear and screaming ever-louder, 'Houston, we have a problem.'
I'd like to share a few quotes that have been rattling around in my head over recent days and weeks ...
"We're never going to attract a workforce unless they are going to get paid a livable wage, or at least a somewhat livable wage, and benefits."
- Betsy Sawyer-Manter, Executive Director, SeniorsPlus, quoted in Sun Journal (Lewiston, ME)
Topics: dementia care, Senior Care Professionals, Senior Care, dementia
What the heck is Winfield and what does it have to do with this blog? There are some things in life that so nourish our souls that they should become non-negotiable. For anyone whose career is taking care of others, that should be a commitment to our own wellness. Nurses, social workers, family caregivers, therapists, activity professionals, chaplains, you name it—we’re all in the same boat when it comes to self-care. How we each “do” self-care is a personal choice. My choice is Winfield!
The Walnut Valley Festival is a five-day music festival that, since 1972, takes place in Winfield, Kansas on the third weekend of September. The first time I went was in 1977 when I was a college student. I’ve been back almost every year since! The folks who make the journey simply call it “Winfield”. You see, it’s not just a place or an event, but an experience that got in my heart and didn’t let go. So why would a middle-aged woman want to camp in a field in a tent in 100 degree weather, rain, mud –this year the river has flooded the area-- cold and even a tornado a couple of years ago? Oh, and packed in with 12,000 other people? The awesome music heard 24 hours each day? Yeah, but that’s not it.
Topics: dementia care, Senior Care Professionals, Senior Care, self care
