In a recent article published by McKnight's Senior Living, a survey of caregivers in Texas showed that while pay was an important factor in staying in the senior services field, it wasn't the only driver of satisfaction. This is contrary to what most managers believe. The study listed feeling respected, job flexibility and pride in the physical workplace as important to staff connected to their work. So, how can the industry make small, but impactful shifts to improving retention among caregivers and other roles? Here are a few simple ideas to get your wheels turning:
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Topics:
leadership,
professionals,
retention,
turnover,
support,
education and training,
perseverance,
staffing
Each May, the Administration for Community Living champions the national observance of Older Americans Month. "Communities of Strength" is the theme for 2021.
I can think of no other time in that this theme could be more appropriate as we have witnessed one of the most challenging years in history. Older Americans have proven to be our source of wisdom, strength, perseverance and a model of overcoming difficulties. And I will add that the communities that support older adults have risen to the challenges of creating new ways to engage and build even stronger communities in the face of unprecedented challenges brought on by a global pandemic.
The health and well being of older adults, especially is grounded in connecting with others. It is paramount to the health and well-being of everyone, but especially as we age.
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Topics:
AGE-u-cate Training Institute,
Senior Care Professionals,
Family Caregiver,
Training,
Aging Service Provider,
aging,
Communities of Strength,
Community,
Older American Month,
ACL.gov,
older adults,
support
April marks Parkinson's Awareness Month and the theme the Parkinson's Foundation has chosen is #KnowMorePD to help elevate the public's awareness of the disease and to share the resources available to those who are diagnosed with PD and their families
Parkinsons's Disease (PD) is a complex movement disorder with symptoms that vary from person to person. Some of these symptoms may include tremors, slurred speech, a masked face, slow movement, and unsteady gait. Because PD is largely misunderstood by the general public and even healthcare professionals, it's often frightening to see a person struggle with these symptoms. And when people don't understand what is happening, they generally react by becoming fearful or avoiding that person.
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Topics:
AGE-u-cate Training Institute,
Senior Care Professionals,
Family Caregiver,
Aging Service Provider,
caregiving,
#KnowMorePD,
Parkinson's Foundation,
Parkinson's Disease,
education,
resources,
support
On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law. The CARES Act grants totally $955 million will support older adults and people with disabilities in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Organizations that will have access to this funding includes a network of community-based organization such as Area Agencies on Aging, Centers for Independent Living, senior centers, faith-based organizations and other community-based non-profit organizations that provide resources and services to help older adults and people living with disabilities stay healthy and live independently. $100 million is earmarked for the National Family Caregiver Support Program to help expand services that aid families and information for caregivers who are providing support for their loved ones at home.
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Topics:
Senior Care Professionals,
Family Caregiver,
Elders,
Care Partners,
Aging Service Provider,
CARES Act,
Social isolation,
older adults,
support,
Loneliness,
Area Agencies on Aging
The COVID-19 pandemic must inspire significant changes in how long term care is treated and resourced.
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Topics:
Senior Care Professionals,
aging services,
compassionate touch,
aging,
long term care,
support,
Work,
front line staff,
reform,
COVID
Any senior care professional is vulnerable to Compassion Fatigue. For example, nurses, doctors, counselors, veterinarians, therapists, social workers, chaplains, emergency response workers, and people caring for aging parents. So, what is Compassion Fatigue?
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Topics:
Senior Care Professionals,
Family Caregiver,
Hospital Professionals,
Compassion,
support,
Work,
compassion fatigue
I saw a postcard once that read, "The last good thing that may happen in a person's life is a hospice volunteer". For National Volunteer Month help me recognize these special caregivers who are called to the bedside.
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Topics:
Senior Care Professionals,
Training,
Family,
Volunteers,
Hospice,
support,
volunteering,
touch
Access to quality rural healthcare, resources, education, and support is a growing challenge in the US and around the globe. What does this mean for the growing numbers of persons living with dementia and their families who are caring for them? How does this affect the quality of care being offered by nursing homes and other care providers?
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Topics:
The Family Caregiver,
healthcare,
Senior Care Professionals,
Training,
dementia,
caregivers,
Hospital Professionals,
Rural healthcare,
education,
families,
alzheimer's,
support
We have a family caregiving tsunami whose tidal waves are affecting every corner of our society. I venture to say that most communities are not prepared for the domino effects of a fast-aging population let along to provide support to their families that are scrambling to stay above water - emotionally, physically and financially.
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Topics:
Senior Care Professionals,
aging services,
Family Caregiver,
Family,
caregivers,
leadership,
Alzheimer's disease,
caregiving,
Faith Community,
family caregivers,
support,
National Family Caregivers Month
Looking back to my years a family caregiver, I wonder if I'd worn a badge that read "Fragile - Handle with Care", it might have been easier for others to understand me. Why I often had puffy eyes from crying, or scatter brained from sleep deprivation. I can remember a certain period of time when I was issued a number of traffic violations...speeding through a school zone of all things (my children were both in elementary school at the time). Thank goodness this was before cell phones. There were times when I simply wasn't myself. I was emotional, physically and spiritually worn out and burned out. Thinking clearly was often a challenge because I was overwhelmed.
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Topics:
The Faith Community,
Senior Care Professionals,
Family Caregiver,
family caregivers,
education,
resources,
understanding,
support
