Professional Caregivers/Care Communities

Professional Caregivers and Care Communities

Professional Caregivers and Care Communities

One to two hour interactive in-person or virtual programs. Menu of topics include:

• Dementia Basics:
  • Discover how brain changes impact thinking, movement and behavior over time.
    
• Learn to “Speak Dementia” – Essential Communication Strategies:
  • As the brain changes over time, knowing how to communicate with someone with memory loss is not intuitive. Develop different and more effective ways of talking and communicating in a supportive and compassionate manner.
• How to Have a Meaningful Visit:
  • Gather family, friends, grandchildren, and relatives to determine new and varied ways for spending time with a loved one with memory loss.
• Living and Thriving with Dementia:
  • Quality of life for persons with dementia involves more than passing time with “activities.” Participation in meaning-filled experiences promotes growth in emotional and spiritual abilities.  Discover opportunities to thrive.
    
• Overcoming Challenges with Bathing/Showering:
  • Discover helpful techniques that overcome resistance to hygiene.
• Pleasurable Dining and Nutrition:
  • Review how eating and nutrition change over time along with strategies that support pleasure and dignity during dining.
• Effective Fall Reduction Strategies:
  • Identify safety concerns and alternative solutions.  Explore strategies to reduce falls along with helpful documentation.
• Responding to Challenging Behaviors:
  • Identify various “triggers” that may underlie episodes of agitation/aggression. Apply strategies known to calm and de-escalate agitation without the use of sedatives or other psychotropic medications.
• When the Person with Memory Loss Denies Pain… How Should You Respond?
  • People living with dementia are at high risk for poor pain detection, and management. This often results in a decline in various systems and quality of life. We will discuss pain related conditions; verbal and non-verbal pain cues and medication and non-medication options.
• Care for the LGBTQ Older Adult with Dementia:
  • The number of LGBTQ elders are growing.  Increase your sensitivity and awareness of the unique needs of this vulnerable population.
• Rethinking/Reframing Care Plan Sessions:
  • Help prepare family members for common mental, physical and social changes that occur from early to late and final stages of dementia.  Re-think care plan sessions so that anticipated events and treatment decisions are presented during this valuable time.
• Create Comfort and Meaning at End-of-Life:
  • Add an additional safety net of care for your residents who are experiencing distressing symptoms and moving toward end of life.  Learn how the dying process can be elevated to a more comfortable and sacred experience.