AGE-u-cate Training Institute Blog

Want to connect with your grandmother or grandfather but can’t go the miles to see them and don’t know what to say over the phone?

Topics: The Faith Community, AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, dementia, grandchildren, 360 Eldercare Solutions, grandparents

I was privileged to speak yesterday to the Dallas Area Parkinson's Society (DAPS)  about how care partners can embrace wellness and joy.  For persons living with Parkinson's Disease and other neurological conditions, finding wellness and joy in everyday life can be challenging and elusive at best.  I know this first-hand, as my mother lived with Parkinson's Disease (PD).  Speaking from experience as her partner in this journey, my words of wisdom for embracing wellness and joy encompassed some simple steps.

Topics: The Faith Community, AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, dementia, Care Partners, compassionate touch, Parkinson's Disease, wellness, Joy

Caregivers of older adults are some of the most selfless, committed people on the planet.   Simply put, not everyone is cut out to be a caregiver.  The problem lies in the fact that some caregivers believe they are the only ones who can care properly for their family member.  This is often referred to as Caregiver Martyr Syndrome.

Topics: The Faith Community, AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, dementia, caregiver martyr syndrome, Faith Community

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

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.

Topics: The Faith Community, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, family caregivers, education, resources, understanding, support

Our guest blogger is AGE-u-cate Master Trainer, Sue Wilson, LMSW, CADDCT, CDP  -  360 Elder Solutions (www.360eldersolutions.com)

Topics: The Faith Community, AGE-u-cate Training Institute, The Family Caregiver, Senior Care Professionals, Elders, dementia, Dementia Live, 360 Eldercare Solutions, alzheimer's, family engagement, collages

Dementia is everyone's business.  After decades of being relegated to an issue of institutionalism,  the idea that people living with dementia can have a quality of life is a huge step in furthering education, awareness and acceptance for  millions of Americans that are affected by dementia.  The Dementia Friendly Community movement is making great strides in bringing opportunities to change attitudes, actions and our thinking.

Topics: The Faith Community, AGE-u-cate Training Institute, The Family Caregiver, Senior Care Professionals, Aging in the Workplace, aging, dementia training, Master Trainers, Dementia friendly community, Advocacy

Our hyper competitive, profit driven business world often scoffs at the idea of collaboration.  I supposed I'm naive, but I want to think that those in senior care are more passionate and compassionate about working with others for the greater good.  I still believe this is true for most of us.  Working well with others almost always comes back to us ten fold.  This is true in life and business.

Topics: The Faith Community, The Family Caregiver, Senior Care Professionals, Senior Care, dementia, elder care, families, Master Trainers, front line staff, AGE-u-cate Training Instite

You've seen the inspiring T-shirts. "I'm a cancer survivor" or "I'm a heart attack survivor".  I'm in search of one that says "I'm an Alzheimer's survivor".

Topics: The Faith Community, The Family Caregiver, Senior Care Professionals, Aging in the Workplace

Topics: The Faith Community, AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, Memory Care, dementia, compassionate touch, life enrichment, Senior Living, resident care, Pam Brandon, alzheimer's