AGE-u-cate Training Institute Blog

It's hard to believe that I've not had my dad in my life for over 20 years now.  So much of who I am and what I've taught to my children came from my dad.  So, it's appropriate that this blog be a tribute to my dad this Father's Day.

Topics: The Faith Community, AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, Memory Care, Family Caregiver, dementia, Family, compassionate touch, Dementia Live, Alzheimer's disease, Community, children, alzheimer's, Father's Day

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.

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

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:

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

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.

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

3D collection of alcoholic beverages bottles isolated on white background

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

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?

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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