AGE-u-cate Training Institute Blog

You're in for a treat!  AGE-u-cate is honored to welcome a guest blogger, Laurie Scherrer.  Laurie is Programs Director of Dementia Action Alliance (DAA) and is an active member of DAA's Executive Board. 

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Through her extensive work in supporting initiatives of DAA and her experience living with dementia, Laurie is a strong advocate for quality of life.  She was diagnosed with young onset dementia in August of 2013 at the age of 55. Unable to continue a professional career she turned her focus towards helping others through their dementia journey, Laurie and her husband, Roy, work continuously to identify triggers that cause her confusion and they make adjustments to overcome obstacles. Laurie is a Dementia Mentor and is active in many support groups. On her website, dementiadaze.com, Laurie shares her feelings, challenges, symptoms, and adjustments in hopes of encouraging other individuals and families living with dementia to explore ways to live beyond dementia.  

Topics: dementia friendly, Dementia Friendly America, understanding, dementia education, Dementia friendly community, Dementia Awareness, kindess

On the brink of a new decade, I contemplate what the next ten years will look like for the aging services industry. Reflecting on the past provides me some hope for the future. In some respects, we have come a long way.  By the same token, we should maintain a future focus and continue to develop more strategies that support the quality of living of frail elders.

Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, aging services, dementia, Care Partners, caregivers, compassionate touch, Dementia Live, Dementia Live®Training, aging, understanding

Validation helps caregivers step into the world of a person with dementia, creating understanding and empathy.

Topics: Senior Care Professionals, Memory Care, Family Caregiver, dementia, Family, caregivers, compassionate touch, Alzheimer's disease, Hospital Professionals, dementia friendly, understanding, touch

Human needs remain intact regardless of age, situation, or condition.

Topics: Senior Care Professionals, Memory Care, Senior Care, Caregiver, Alzheimer's disease, understanding, alzheimer's, touch

blackboard against red barn wood

Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, Training, dementia, Family, caregivers, Dementia Live®Training, leadership, Hospital Professionals, professionals, elder care, education, families, understanding, dementia training, older adults, dementia education, home care

No longer is dementia a looming public health threat.  It is a global crisis affecting healthcare systems, delivery of long-term care, worker shortages, community infrastructure, families and most importantly, the quality of life for persons living with dementia.

Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, The Family Caregiver, Senior Care Professionals, dementia, compassionate touch, Dementia Live, Hospital Professionals, Public health crisis, Community, families, long term care, understanding, health, Global Initiatives

It's no secret that families tend to shy away from the topics of money and death more often than not.  The fact, however, is that caregiving decisions often revolve around money, as care options will vary greatly depending on one's assets.  So money plays a very important role in the choices that are made and discussions that take place between family members.

Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, The Family Caregiver, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, Family, caregivers, Dementia Live, Faith Community, parents, money, depression-era, nest egg, families, children, understanding, family conflict

Aging isn't just for old people - we are all connected. As the world ages at break-neck speed, how well are we preparing future generations to live in an aging world?  Are we treating the very young and very old in our society as bookends simply in place to hold our "middle" years in place?

Topics: The Faith Community, Senior Care Professionals, caregivers, Dementia Live, aging, understanding

Walking in the shoes of someone living with dementia is challenging at best, especially since every person, like shoes -  is different!  There is an urgent need to help professional and family caregivers communicate and respond to the needs of their care partners.  A walk in their shoes is a powerful and very needed training and education tool to help others develop understanding, empathy and improve care.

Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, dementia, Care Partners, caregivers, Dementia Live, Dementia Live®Training, families, understanding, Dementia simulation

Studies affirm that almost 80 percent of people with dementia listed shopping as a favorite activity.  At the same time, 63 percent of people surveyed didn't think that shops were doing enough to help people with dementia.

Topics: Senior Care Professionals, Training, dementia, Care Partners, dementia friendly, Employees, understanding, older adults