Unlocking Empathy and Understanding: Empowering Caregivers to Make a Profound Impact

Posted by Cris Castellano on Aug 3, 2023 10:24:55 AM

 

In the world of aging services, empathy and understanding are the cornerstones of being a care partner. While care partners provide essential physical support, it is the emotional connection that truly sets them apart. Overture Home Care, a leading senior care provider, has embraced our powerful training program called Dementia Live® that nurtures empathy and understanding among their care partners. This program aims to create a deeper bond between care partners and those they care for, ultimately making a profound impact on the lives of those they serve.

Take a look into Overture Home Care’s experience with Dementia Live 

The Challenge of Caregiver Turnover

The senior care industry faces a significant challenge in the form of caregiver turnover. According to Home Care Pulse, the average turnover rate in the industry is a staggering 77%. Frequent turnover not only disrupts the continuity of care but also affects the emotional well-being of the elderly who often form strong bonds with their caregivers. However, Overture Home Care stands out with a remarkably low turnover rate of 30 - 33%.

The AGE-u-cate Difference

So, what sets Overture Home Care apart from others in the industry? The answer lies in their commitment to empowering caregivers through comprehensive training, particularly with our Dementia Live program. This program is designed to help care partners understand the challenges faced by those they care for, particularly those living with dementia, on a deeper level. By immersing caregivers in simulated experiences that mimic the sensory and cognitive impairments of dementia, they gain valuable insights into the daily struggles faced by those they serve.

Empathy and Connection at the Core

At the heart of the Dementia Live program is the emphasis on empathy and connection. Care partners are encouraged to put themselves in the shoes of the elderly, experiencing firsthand the confusion, frustration, and vulnerability that dementia can bring. This unique approach fosters a deeper level of understanding, compassion, and patience.

Read More

Topics: Dementia Live

3 Essential Requirements for Staff Success

Posted by Andrew Azzarello on Oct 20, 2022 12:00:00 PM

 

Read More

Topics: Dementia Live, Dementia Live®Training, turnover, employee training, workforce training, staff retention, Dementia Care Outreach Education

Developing Invested Employees: How One Home Care Agency Uses Education

Posted by Julie Boggess on Oct 13, 2022 2:00:00 PM

A delightful benefit of being a part of the AGE-u-cate team is being inspired by our clients and seeing the impact of our programs on their business.   

Read More

Topics: Dementia Live, Dementia Live®Training, Dementia Care Outreach Education

Dementia Community Outreach: How Area Agencies on Aging Use Education to Build Community

Posted by Laura Ellen Christian on Oct 6, 2022 12:00:00 PM

Last Spring I had the pleasure of connecting with Ellie Webb,  Dementia Care Specialist for the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) of the North in Wisconsin.  That connection led to an in-person visit to train Ellie and 9 other team members from surrounding counties supported by the ADRC of the North to become Dementia Live® Coaches. Apart from the beautiful drive through rural Wisconsin as I made my way to the tip of the state on the coast of Lake Superior, spending time with such passionate people anchored in a similar mission to ignite change for their communities filled by buckets and my soul!  View my full LinkedIn post for more pictures. 

Read More

Topics: Dementia Live, Dementia Live®Training, Dementia Care Outreach Education

Tips to Improve Empathetic Care Practices

Posted by Pam Brandon on Jan 24, 2022 3:00:00 PM

Empathy is being able to put yourself in someone else's shoes for a while so you can imagine what they are going through, leading to a deeper understanding of their feelings and behaviors. 

Read More

Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Dementia Live, Empathetic Listening, dementia care training, Communication Skills Training

Here's Why Dementia Live®'s Flexibility Stands Out

Posted by Pam Brandon on Jan 14, 2022 9:00:00 AM

In dementia simulation programming, there's a lot to say about what makes Dementia Live stand out. Since its launch in 2015, the team here at AGE-u-cate® has spent more time listening to our client partner's needs than talking. The result?

A program that is indeed what our tag line says: Proven. Powerful. Effective. Tag lines can get wordy, so we'll discuss another significant benefit:

Dementia Live is incredibly flexible.

As empathy and skill-building training, Dementia Live brings together a transformational experience, care partners empowerment session, and practical tools to professionals and families across the aging care spectrum. The team at AGE-u-cate believes that EVERYONE needs to better understand dementia.

We are at the crossroads of unprecedented growth in our aging population, which will continue to affect every aspect of our society. Therefore, aging and dementia education is necessary for breaking the cycle of ageism and exclusion for persons living with cognitive changes. Our provider partners are key catalysts to offer this critical dementia awareness experience and education to the world.

Dementia Live coaches receive organized, easy to deliver training which allows them (provider organizations) to take the Dementia Live program beyond the walls of their own organization. We provide the tools and resources to adapt to ever-changing circumstances, such as a virtual version of the Experience developed in response to the COVID pandemic. This Virtual Dementia Live Experience allowed providers to continue to use the program as an outreach education tool while social distancing restrictions were in place. Here's what The Alzheimer and Parkinson Association of IRC had to say about AGE-u-cate's pivot to a Virtual Experience during Covid. 

Read More

Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Dementia Live, Dementia Live®Training, leadership, dementia education, Dementia Awareness, dementia care training, Dementia simulation

Why Quality of Life Training is a Must for Direct Care Workforce

Posted by Pam Brandon on May 7, 2021 2:00:01 PM

Millions of older adults and people living with disabilities rely on the direct care workforce, and the numbers are growing at an enormous rate every single day.  Sadly, we have undervalued the importance of the direct care workforce and ill prepared the critical need to provide  quality of life and quality of care training.  It's time to change the paradigm.

Read More

Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, Training, Dementia Live, Aging Service Provider, Quality of Life Training, aging, dementia training, older adults, Workforce, Direct Care Workforce Training, REVEAL Aging, staff

Broken Heart Syndrome: Another Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Posted by Kathy Dreyer on Jul 13, 2020 4:16:02 PM

As if life could not get worse. A recent study suggests more people are suffering with stress cardiomyopathy during this COVID-19 pandemic. Stress cardiomyopathy is also called broken heart syndrome.

Read More

Topics: The Family Caregiver, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, compassionate touch, Dementia Live

The Art of Caregiving: Going at the Right Pace

Posted by Kathy Dreyer on Jul 6, 2020 3:48:55 PM

Caregiving has been defined as the willingness to go at another person’s pace. Just like a pace car in auto racing, there is the person who sets the pace in caring, and the person who follows along. The pace car in racing sets the tempo of the other cars before the race officially begins. The person setting the pace in caregiving can be the care receiver or the caregiver. Ideally, a care receiver with dementia should set the pace, with the caregiver following.

Read More

Topics: The Family Caregiver, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, Dementia Live

The Trauma of Relocation for People with Dementia

Posted by Julie Boggess on Feb 3, 2020 11:24:51 PM

 

Read More

Topics: The Family Caregiver, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, dementia, caregivers, compassionate touch, Dementia Live, Faith Community, families, AGE-u-cate Training Insitute

Subscribe to Our Blog

Lists by Topic

see all

Posts by Topic

See all

Recent Posts