MEMORY CARE
TIPS TO MAKE THE BIG SHIFT
GET OUT THERE. Don’t expect people from diverse communities to simply walk through your door. Participate. Reach out to be part of events, removing the stigma and the mystery from memory care. Invite community members to be part of your music or creative programs. Extend your expertise to the community. For instance, Monroe suggested using college fairs as a model: Host an event where people can get solid information from several organizations about memory care options and financial realities.
BUT BRING SOMETHING TO THE TABLE. Community involvement works both ways. Offer value: education, donations of resources, or funds or fundraising to religious and community groups. Take time to discover what they need and how you can help provide it.
USE AMBASSADORS. In reaching diverse groups, “make the messenger look like them,” Pastor said. Ambassadors can represent your organization at events, on social media, and in culturally owned and centered publications and radio.
LISTEN ACTIVELY. Care partners, staff, and family can be your best source for ideas. Longtime cultural practices and generations of
caregivers can hold wisdom and insights that could be the seed of a great program. And if staff or family balk at change, a cultural difference could be the reason. You may need to unwind your program and add more education, input, or time for building trust.
MODEL FROM RESPONSES TO OTHER DISEASES. Many presenters pointed to cancer survivor networks, therapy groups, even AA as possible models for memory care. These actively involve the person with the condition, use peer support, and engage families and caretakers.
EXPLORE MOVES TOWARD DEMENTIA- FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES. Do EMTs and public safety providers, community groups, businesses, and retail need greater awareness about peo- ple living with memory disorders? You can add your efforts and expertise to the Dementia Friendly America initiatives (and benefit by stronger community relationships).
TRACK RESULTS. Your data is gold—plan how you’ll track, analyze, and evaluate programs from the beginning. Find ways for more people to contribute to gathering and recording data— quantitative and qualitative.
practical programs that hit the center of the target: they get results now, they can be adapted to diverse residences, and they can be expanded and transformed to meet future needs. » Unidine Corporation’s Jenny Overly, di- rector of health & wellness innovation, presented details on implementing and advancing the Fresh Bites program, a food preparation method that brings adult flavors to finger foods—and dignity and personalization to the meal experience.
» Kristine Theurer, founder and president of Java Group Programs, Inc., coun- tered the stereotype that peer support can’t be practiced in memory care. In fact, she’s found, it can reduce loneliness, isolation, and loss of social identity. The
42 SENIOR LIVING EXECUTIVE / ISSUE 4 2017
simple-to-implement Java Time program uses music and social events to cultivate meaningful emotional engagement—and, Theurer adds, “anyone can implement it.”
» The Alzheimer’s Resource Center Well-BEING Project starts with “appre- ciative inquiry:” If staff turnover is high, for instance, one could ask why people are leaving, or “I could say, ‘We’ve got people who’ve stayed for 20 years—what can we learn from that?’” explained Jen- na Weiss, director of learning at the Center. The simple but illuminating approach involves techniques such as “huddles,” for instance: short, informal, small-group meetings of care partners and residents, designed to check in on choices and decisions.
“I was interested in hearing about the advancements in dementia care and approach. I have been to many seminars where the same recycled talks have occurred. This was fresh
and unique.” – 2017 Memory Care Symposium attendee Stephen Nichols, executive director, Brightview Senior Living
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60
