Empowering Well-Being in 2024: Resources for People with Dementia on the Pathway to Wellness

Posted by Pam Brandon on Jan 4, 2024 12:30:00 PM

 

Read More

Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Well-Being, dementia education

Grief, Change, and New Beginnings

Posted by Pam Brandon on Jan 21, 2022 3:00:00 PM

Coping with the loss of a family member may be one of the most complex challenges we face. When we lose a spouse, our grief can be particularly intense, and moving on after a long and happy marriage takes time. Loved ones can be catalysts in helping those grieving to find joy and happiness again.
Patricia (Dee) Hutchinson is AGE-u-cate Training Institute's Fulfillment Center Manager. I want to share her story about her father-in-law, Donald, and his journey from loss and grief to finding purpose and meaning after the loss of his wife. Here's their story:

Read More

Topics: The Family Caregiver, Family Education, Well-Being, quality of life

Are we listening to the Needs of Family Caregivers? Here's My Story.

Posted by Pam Brandon on Nov 2, 2021 4:40:31 PM

Although my personal story of caregiving goes back decades, the message has not changed. My sweet mother, Jeanette, lived with Parkinson's Disease for many years. Our journey together as care partners included the highs of our incredible mother-daughter relationship growing even closer and the lows of experiencing the emotional roller-coaster of managing a disease that is ever-changing and often mysterious.

At 85, Jeanette's health had declined significantly due to the progression of her PD and complications from a broken hip. In addition, my sister was taking care of our mom in her home following a rehab stay, and the stress of 24/7 caregiving responsibilities took a toll on her physical and emotional health. It was time for a change, and a decision needed to be made relatively quickly.

Visiting one care community after another, I soon became embattled with my own emotions as I toured beautifully decorated buildings led by cheery marketing professionals. All the while, I was an emotional train wreck. What was truly important? I had some real soul searching to do.

A friend suggested I visit a residential care community that her dad had been in, so I arranged for a meeting with the owners, one of who was a registered nurse. The home was not in the most convenient area to my home, but was adequate for my sister and me to visit with a drive for both of us. The neighborhood was eclectic but safe.  As I drove to the house, my thoughts were on a single track.  

Entering the house, one of the care team members greeted me with a warm welcome and hug. The place was lively and bright, though far from fancy. Sitting areas in the large living room included residents, care partners, and family members.

As I made my way to another sitting room to meet with the owner, I noted the care team busy making lunch and chatting about the new recipe for the day. They stopped to say hello and asked if I'd like to stay. How could I pass up a yummy-looking Mexican dish?

As I sat down to talk, I could feel my emotions bubbling, and sure enough, tears started streaming. My decision of where my precious mama would live out her days played heavy on my heart. What did I want for her, for me, and the rest of my family? After all, we were all in this together.

All of the "things" that I thought were important started racing through my head. Within a short driving distance? Not really. Amenities? Somewhat limited. And this sounds so silly now, but at the time, I thought to myself, "this is just not mom's decorating style."

As I pulled myself from the depths of my crying episode, I felt incredible compassion and understanding embracing me. As I explained mom's health needs and history, it became clear what I was seeking.

Beyond the basics of cleanliness, safety, nursing care, I wanted my mom to be loved when I wasn't there. That sounds like a big ask, right?  

Read More

Topics: The Family Caregiver, leadership, Quality of Life Training, Family Education, Well-Being

Senior Living: Becoming the Best Place To Be

Posted by Julie Boggess on Oct 28, 2021 9:46:02 PM

AGE-u-cate was honored to welcome Stacy Porter from The Beryl Institute as guest presenter on our October Virtual Road Trip Webinar topic, "Becoming the Best Place to Be."

The Beryl Institute is a global community of healthcare professionals and experience champions committed to transforming the human experience in healthcare.  Many of the institute professionals are Certified Patient Experience Professionals (CPXP) who are turning more attention to the Aging Services industry.

Stacy's presentation was based on their recently published white paper entitled, "Becoming the Best Place to Be:  Elevating the Experience in Senior Living."
 
Culture and Leadership

The Beryl Institute experience framework consists of eight components, with Culture & Leadership at the top. Stacy shared that  the foundation of any successful experience effort is set on the purpose, values and how the organization is lead.  Stacy offered steps organizations can take to begin transformation:

  • Create a definition for resident experience
  • Operationalize your mission/vision statements by bridging your purpose and aligned actions
  • Ensure everyone who shows up to work has the skills and ability to execute on your purpose
Environment and Hospitality

Another component of the experience framework is Environment and Hospitality. The elders that participated in interviews indicated that they really look for a culture of home in their communities.  Warm and fuzzy words come to mind when most people think of the word home:  belonging, love, comfort, safety, relationships. acceptance.  

  • Live up to the meaning of community
  • Take care to address isolation and loneliness
  •  Create transparency around death and dying

Inclusion is an essential to make any of this work.  All stakeholders, most importantly those that live in the community, must be invited to become involved.  Stacy concluded with this:

A fundamental shift in thinking and direction is needed.  There is no normal to which to return.

 

AGE-u-cate is grateful for Stacy's time and valuable information shared on our Virtual Road Trip, and we look forward to continued collaboration.  

Ready to Ignite Change in your organization?
 
 
  
Free Demo
 
 
 
 
 
 
Read More

Topics: Senior Care, Well-Being, Senior Living, Patient-Centered Care, Marketing, quality of life

Lead With Abundant Kindness

Posted by Julie Boggess on Oct 4, 2021 7:57:04 PM

What feels abundant right now is trauma, stress, and burnout.  Heading up an Aging Services organization during this time has been no easy task.  At AGE-u-cate, we have tried to offer nuggets of support and encouragement to help infuse some hope in what feels like a long nightmare. 

With so much out of our control these days, there is something we can control, and that is how we relate to each other.  Kindness should always be a part of a leadership philosophy, but when we feel pushed to the edge, kindness might take a backseat.

Kindness can be defined as the quality of being friendly, generous and considerate.  Seems like a fairly simple and straightforward way to interact with others.  In fact, ABC news reported last year on research that informs us that being kind pays off.  Being kind makes us feel better and healthier, and is wired into our survival.  Oxford anthropologist Oliver Curry believes that we are kind because under the right circumstances we all benefit from kindness.

 

Read More

Topics: leadership, Mental Health, Well-Being, kindess, inspiration

Maintaining and Building a Healthy Culture in Spite of a Pandemic

Posted by Pam Brandon on Aug 30, 2021 8:13:38 PM

Many Aging Services leaders are working tirelessly to maintain and even rebuild a positive culture within their care communities.  The question is whether this is possible to do during a lingering pandemic?  A McKnight's Long-Term Care News article opined that it is possible, in spite of a pandemic.  

Read More

Topics: leadership, Well-Being, elder care communities, Cultural Competency, person-centered culture, relationship

There's Just Something About Aging Services People

Posted by Julie Boggess on Aug 27, 2021 9:15:25 PM

I just returned from spending two days in Columbus, OH at the Ohio Healthcare Association Conference with my AGE-u-cate colleague V'Ann Guiffre.   I now realize how much I have missed interacting in person with "my people."  There is just something about people that work in Aging Services!  I won't do justice in explaining what I mean, but you know, there is just something there.   

Read More

Topics: care staff, Aging Service Provider, Passionate, professionals, Leaders, Well-Being, senior care providers, perseverance, #conferences

Addressing Caregiver Burnout in the Aging Services Workforce

Posted by Pam Brandon on Jul 30, 2021 10:03:35 AM

 

Read More

Topics: eldercare, Well-Being, Professional Caregivers, Caregiver Stress, Direct Care Workforce Training, Caregiver Health, compassion fatigue

Helping Caregivers through Fear and Anxiety of Dementia

Posted by Pam Brandon on Jun 29, 2021 3:53:50 PM

It's frightening to care for someone you don't understand.  People living with dementia (PLWD) are themselves often filled with fear and anxiety and express themselves in ways that are difficult for others to comprehend.   For a family member or professional who is helping  persons who are themselves trying to cope with the cognitive changes going on in their brains, it is a domino effect that carries over to care partners. Fear, anxiety, guilt, and feeling very frustrated in not having the tools to better communicate and respond to  stress reactions leave caregivers feeling helpless. 

Read More

Topics: dementia care, The Family Caregiver, Dementia Live®Training, leadership, Quality of Life Training, Mental Health, Well-Being, dementia care training

The Remarkable Australian Men's Shed Association

Posted by Pam Brandon on Nov 14, 2017 2:23:00 PM
Pam Brandon introduces the Indooroopilly Men's Shed in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Read More

Topics: AGE-u-cate Training Institute, Senior Care Professionals, Family Caregiver, Aging in the Workplace, Men's Shed Association, Community, Well-Being, Australia, Health Aging, health

Subscribe to Our Blog

Lists by Topic

see all

Posts by Topic

See all

Recent Posts