AGE-u-cate Training Institute Blog

We all like to think that have compassion for others don't we?   After all, we give care, so we must have empathy.  Is there a difference between caring and true compassion?

Topics: Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, Training, Care Partners, caregivers, Dementia Live, leadership, empathy, Compassion, elderly, families, understanding, AGE-u-cate Training Instite, Dementia Live™️

We all know that the only thing certain about our life is that someday it will end.  And yet death continues to be an elusive topic in most families and social circles.  Someone recently shared with me that she felt if she brought up the topic with her parents,  they might feel like she wanted to hurry things along.

Topics: Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, leadership, Faith Community, families, End-of-life, Hospice, Faith, death, Palliative Care

The Big "S" word.  It comes up more often than you would think and for good reason.  Adult children who are in any phase of caregiving for their parents, even in the very beginning stages share their frustrations of their parents suddenly being stubborn.   Why is this happening?

Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, behaviors, caregiving, Faith Community, role reversal, family caregivers, parents, children, older adults

(Society for Neuroscience) The discovery that the human brain can produce new cells in adulthood offers just one example of how adaptable the brain is throughout life. With this knowledge, researchers are investigating how normal aging as well as neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease affect that adaptability, and how we can maintain healthy brain function as our brains age.  So what is neuroplasticity?

Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, dementia, Dementia Live, Ageless Grace, aging, alzheimer's, health, Work, Brain fitness

A survey form the National Council on Aging, UnitedHealthcare and USA Today concluded that most Boomers are optimistic about their future.  That is until you ask them about needing help as they age.  When it comes to the issues surrounding who will provide caregiving when they no longer are able, optimism turns to fear.

Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, caregivers, leadership, caregiving, Faith Community, family caregivers, families, long term care, Shortages, home care, boomers

The devastation we are witnessing in the wake of Hurricane Harvey is a reminder that we must all be prepared to care for a loved one, elderly or  disabled neighbor or friend when disaster strikes. Here is a list of 6 basic yet vital precautions that everyone should have in place, especially in the event of a natural or manmade disaster:

Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, Family, Faith Community, Emergency Preparation, eldercare, elderly, Seniors, Home safety

Families caring for aging adults have and will continue to reach unprecedented numbers affecting every corner of our society.   We MUST address the complex needs of this population who are the foundation of long-term care nationwide, exceeding Medicaid long-term care spending in all states (National Alliance for Caregiving and Overcare, March 2009).  Jo Horne, author of Caregiving:  Helping an Aging Love One created the Caregiver's Bill of Rights. These are powerful and impactful words of hope and guidance for each and every person caring for a family member or friend:

Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, compassionate touch, Hospital Professionals, caregiving, family caregivers, aging, faith communities, long term care, Dementia Live™️

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

Time is precious.  Staff is in short supply.  Family caregivers are stretched to the limit.  Just taking care of the basic needs  is hard enough, so five minutes a day seems - IMPOSSIBLE!

Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Person-centered, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, Senior Care, Family, compassionate touch, Dementia Live, leadership, Hospital Professionals, education, older adults, staff, communication, touch

We're all in this together... the tsunami is here and every one of us serving older adults in some capacity should be getting on the band wagon and FAST.   Person and patient centered care must be focused on supporting and educating families.  When family-centered care is embraced it becomes an approach to health care decision making that involves health care professionals and family members.

Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Family Caregiver, dementia, Hospital Professionals, Faith Community, chronic illness, education, Dementia friendly hospital, Family-Centered Care, Patient-Centered Care