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Posts Tagged ‘educated caregivers’
Professional Dementia Certification
Monday, June 21st, 2010Fall Harvesting
Wednesday, September 16th, 2009Fall Harvesting
Harvesting vegetables and putting them up for the winter is an old tradition. It was the life blood for families during the winter until the supermarket became popular in the late 1970’s. Many people today continue to “put up” vegetables to save money and to gain the benefits of fresh vegetables. Here are a few ideas that will work well to stimulate reminiscing and be a purposeful activity.
Shucking Corn:
Have the residents shuck corn cobs. Once the corn is shucked, cook the corn in water until the water boils and let it simmer for about five minutes. Have each resident butter a piece of bread, then they can use the bread to butter the corn by sliding the buttered side of the bread along the corn. Be prepared to cut the corn off the cob if someone is having difficulty due to dentures.
Breaking Beans:
Bring in a bushel of beans to be snapped. Place the beans on the table and have residents sit around the table and snap the beans. Once the beans are snapped, they can be cooked with some bacon for about an hour. This is a great activity to do in the morning. The beans can be cooking around lunch time. The smell of the beans and bacon cooking will have everyone ready to eat by the time lunch arrives.
Pickling:
Cucumbers can be pickled using safe cold brine. Have a group of residents chop the cucumbers into the desired size. Then have the group measure out the following ingredients:
Two cups vinegar One cup water
One half cup sugar One cup salt
Three tablespoons dill
Mix all ingredients together, and then add cucumber pieces (three cups). Place cucumber and pickling ingredients in a bowl with a tight fitting lid. Let sit for three-five days. Then enjoy!
While the residents are participating in these cooking groups ask questions to get everyone talking about past cooking experiences.
“Did you grow a garden in the summer?”
“What kind of vegetables did you grow?”
“How did you put the vegetables up for the winter?”
“Did you sell your vegetables at the farmer’s market?”
“Did you ever have a glass jar bust while you were canning?”
“Did you make homemade jams or jellies?”
Trivia:
A pickle crunch should be heard from 10 paces away.
26 billion pickles are packed each year in the U.S.
Half of all cucumbers are made into pickles each year.
The average ear of corn has 800 kernels, arranged in 16 rows.
There is one piece of silk for each kernel.
A bushel of corn contains about 27,000 kernels.
For more information contact 317-218-5111 or www.behomelivelife.com
Call to Action
Monday, April 13th, 2009CALL TO ACTION
I received this information today in the Alzheimer’s Association’s ENewsletter. Please join all caregivers to make a difference in the lives of those who are battling this difficult disease.
Advocate Impact: Forum 2009
Last month, over 600 advocates from around the country marched on Capitol Hill to demand that our lawmakers make Alzheimer’s a national priority.
During meetings with advocates, members of Congress made the following commitments:
You can catch a glimpse of the action at: http://www.alz.org/forum
We have great momentum and now is the time to “seal the deal”. Read on…
What Can I Do Now?
Ask your members to co-sponsor the End the Medicare Two-year Wait Bill!
People under age 65 with dementia who lose their jobs are likely to lose job-related health insurance. Many become uninsured and uninsurable. Just when they need coverage the most, federal law requires them to wait two years to become eligible for Medicare. Because of this wait, families face soaring out-of-pocket costs for health care or completely forego care. http://alz.kintera.org/endthewait
Email your members of Congress now. Ask them to co-sponsor the Ending the Medicare Disability Waiting Period Act of 2009 (S.700 / H.R.1708).
Go to:
For more information on how you can impact the lives of those with Alzheimer’s contact www.alzcaregroup.com or 317-218-5113
Sensory Kit: Spiritual
Wednesday, April 1st, 2009Approach and Communication
As Alzheimer’s disease progresses it can impact the way a person may communicate. Communication is vital in the care giving process. It is the way we express our ideas, feelings, and wants. In order to maintain a quality life, this basic need must be met.
An individual with Alzheimer’s may have trouble finding the right words, may misunderstand statements that are made, may repeat the same words or statements, or may revert to speaking a native tongue. As the disease progress, caregivers may also see the person relying more on gestures than words. For example, it may be easier to point to an object such as a cup of water, than to ask for a drink. She may pat the sides of her waist to indicate she needs to go to the bathroom. Some people may have trouble speaking in coherent statements where the phrases sound more like “word salad.” Word salad is an incomprehensible mixture of incoherent words or phrases. Caregivers must rely on gestures and other forms of nonverbal communication in order to understand what the person is trying to communicate.
Despite the fact that communication may become more challenging as Alzheimer’s disease progresses, sensitive ongoing communication is important. Although the person with Alzheimer’s may not respond to each statement, she still benefits from continued communication.
Tips to enhance communication:
· Identify yourself by name and what you are going to do for/with the person. Even if you have known the person for years, it is still important to identify yourself and the task.
· Call the person by his/her familiar name.
· Use short, simple, one step instructions
· Give the person plenty of time to respond to questions and statements
· Limit available choices to two (2) for the person to decide from ( i.e. the blue dress or the red dress, a brownie or ice cream)
· Don’t ask questions that rely on memory (remember when you ate eggs for breakfast last week?).
· Speak in a strong clear voice; don’t yell unless the person has a hearing impairment.
· Don’t talk down or childlike.
· Turn negatives into positives. Say “Let’s go here” instead of “Don’t go in there.”
· Turn questions into statement. Say “Let’s go eat” instead of “Are you ready for lunch?”
· Be aware of your tone of voice. Convey an easy going attitude.
· Approach from the front and never from behind.
· Use positive, friendly facial expressions.
· Be aware of your stance – avoid standing with hands on the hip or crossed arms.
· Focus on feelings not on facts.
· Validate feelings and help put those feelings into words.
· Be patient, flexible and understanding.
Good communication will bolster self worth, validate feelings, stimulate memories, and calm and reassure.
Approach and Communication
Tuesday, March 31st, 2009Approach and Communication
As Alzheimer’s disease progresses it can impact the way a person may communicate. Communication is vital in the care giving process. It is the way we express our ideas, feelings, and wants. In order to maintain a quality life, this basic need must be met.
An individual with Alzheimer’s may have trouble finding the right words, may misunderstand statements that are made, may repeat the same words or statements, or may revert to speaking a native tongue. As the disease progress, caregivers may also see the person relying more on gestures than words. For example, it may be easier to point to an object such as a cup of water, than to ask for a drink. She may pat the sides of her waist to indicate she needs to go to the bathroom. Some people may have trouble speaking in coherent statements where the phrases sound more like “word salad.” Word salad is an incomprehensible mixture of incoherent words or phrases. Caregivers must rely on gestures and other forms of nonverbal communication in order to understand what the person is trying to communicate.
Despite the fact that communication may become more challenging as Alzheimer’s disease progresses, sensitive ongoing communication is important. Although the person with Alzheimer’s may not respond to each statement, she still benefits from continued communication.
Tips to enhance communication:
· Identify yourself by name and what you are going to do for/with the person. Even if you have known the person for years, it is still important to identify yourself and the task.
· Call the person by his/her familiar name.
· Use short, simple, one step instructions
· Give the person plenty of time to respond to questions and statements
· Limit available choices to two (2) for the person to decide from ( i.e. the blue dress or the red dress, a brownie or ice cream)
· Don’t ask questions that rely on memory (remember when you ate eggs for breakfast last week?).
· Speak in a strong clear voice; don’t yell unless the person has a hearing impairment.
· Don’t talk down or childlike.
· Turn negatives into positives. Say “Let’s go here” instead of “Don’t go in there.”
· Turn questions into statement. Say “Let’s go eat” instead of “Are you ready for lunch?”
· Be aware of your tone of voice. Convey an easy going attitude.
· Approach from the front and never from behind.
· Use positive, friendly facial expressions.
· Be aware of your stance – avoid standing with hands on the hip or crossed arms.
· Focus on feelings not on facts.
· Validate feelings and help put those feelings into words.
· Be patient, flexible and understanding.
Good communication will bolster self worth, validate feelings, stimulate memories, and calm and reassure.
Alzheimer’s in the News
Monday, March 30th, 2009This week in the news, the Alzheimer’s Association released its Facts and Figures 2009. According to the Alzheimer’s Association 5.3 Million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease and the direct and indirect cost to the nation is $148 billion dollars annually. Additionally, Newt Gingrich presented The National Alzheimer’s Strategic Plan for improving the care of those with Alzheimer’s disease and other related dementia to Congress.
What are you going to do to make a difference in the lives of those with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers?
So often we become stuck in the mindset that people with dementia have no hope. The media often reports the stories of heart ache and despair, but we never hear the heroic stories of people making a difference for others being afflicted with this devastating disease.
Who are those heroes?
· Families who continue to make life the life of the loved one valuable even when that means adapting past interests to current abilities
· Families who continue to visit their loved one even when it appears she doesn’t remember them any longer
· Family members who regularly rotate care and responsibility to ensure the primary caregiver receives some respite
· Caregivers in long term care who engage their residents in dementia with personally meaningful activities
· Caregivers who provide care despite Congress cutting Medicare/Medicaid benefits
· Owners of nursing homes who put Person Centered Care before the dollar
· Innovators who continue to find new ways to bring quality of life to some who can no longer remember
Are you making a difference? Do you know where to begin?
For more information: Call 317-218-5111 or www.alzcaregroup.com
Spring Activity Ideas
Wednesday, February 25th, 2009Spring is just around the corner! I’m ready for the end of cold weather, snow, and wind. This is the perfect time to start your gardening projects for your residents. Growing food that you later eat can be a rich and satisfying experience. Gardening is a familiar activity many residents enjoy and take pride in doing. And adding fresh vegetables to a meal promotes good health.
The purpose of this activity is to provide residents with an opportunity to perform a past skill or responsibility and to stimulate reminiscence and socialization.
Materials: egg carton, garden gloves, seeds, dirt, watering can, spray bottle, cookie sheet
Set-up
Find an indoor space with good lighting for seedlings and create an outdoor space for gardening.
Process
Getting Started
- Decide what you will grow. Ask the residents to help you choose what to plant. Take time to reminisce and ask questions like,
- What vegetables did you grow from seeds?
- Where did you get your seeds?
- What vegetables did you grow from plants?
- What type of container did you start your plants in?
Seedlings
- Ask families to donate seeds or buy them at a nursery.
- Start seedlings at the beginning of spring.
- Give each resident an egg carton. Next, tell them to punch a couple of small holes in the bottom for draining.
- Direct the residents to fill each egg holder halfway with dirt. Next, tell them to add one seed to each egg holder. Then, tell them to cover the seeds with dirt.
- Give the first resident the spray bottle filled with water. Next, direct the residents to spray water on top of each egg holder.
- Place the egg cartons on the cookie sheet to catch any water that may drain out. Next, follow the directions on the seed package to (1) decide where to put the cartons so the seeds will grow and (2) find out how often to water them. Then, remind the residents in the coming weeks to water the seeds according to the directions.
- Consider asking questions from Garden Trivia
Copyright 2008 Alzheimer’s Care Group
For more information: www.alzcaregroup.com
House Acts on Elder Abuse
Tuesday, February 17th, 2009In today’s edition of the McKnight’s Long-Term Care News and Assisted Living Newsletter I read this article on legislation that has been passed protecting our Seniors against abuse.
“Economic stimulus legislation hasn’t been the only item on Congress’s plate lately. The House of Representatives Wednesday passed a bill that would fund elder abuse prosecution and establish education and therapy programs for victims and their families..”
The Elder Abuse Victims Act sailed through the House with a 397-25 vote. As part of the bill, Congress would direct the attorney general’s office to conduct research into current state and local elder abuse prevention programs. The legislation also would provide funding for elder abuse prosecution at local, state and federal levels, as well as law enforcement training and nurse-investigators to identify and evaluate elder abuse cases.
Between 1 million and 2 million seniors in the U.S. have suffered abuse, according to the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA). There is currently no Senate companion bill, though Sestak has said the Senate would likely pass a bill soon.”
Call to Action: Contact your Senator today. Ask your Senator to pass a similar bill soon to protect those at risk for elder abuse.
Care giver stress often leads to elder abuse in all care giving settings. Alzheimer’s Care Group can provide strategies and develop programs to enhance the quality of life for all care partners in long-term care settings. For more information: www.alzcaregroup.com
In the midst of Alzheimer’s, Love Triumphs
Thursday, February 12th, 2009Many caregivers barely have time to breathe let alone get excited about a holiday that many believe was created by Hallmark and Hershey. Valentine’s Day embraces the tradition of taking time out of our busy lives to tell those we love how much they mean to us. Often, as Alzheimer’s progresses, many couples find that intimacy is extremely difficult.
I once assisted a couple who had been married for forty nine years when I met them. The wife called me in tears because her husband’s aggression towards her was becoming more difficult each day. When I met them at their home, she left me alone to talk with him for a while and he said to me, “That woman is kind and she makes a great meatloaf, but she’s not my wife. I don’t think my wife will come back as long as that woman is here.” He no longer recognized her as his wife. He believed that he was in his mid thirties and thought his wife was that age as well. When he looked at her he only saw an old woman he didn’t know.
I helped this family place “George” into the Alzheimer’s Center where I worked. He adjusted quite easily, which surprised us. When his wife came to visit he recognized her every time. Eventually we discovered that he believed he was in boot camp. He had written his wife many long letters expressing his love and dedication to her.
He would light up when she walked into the room to visit. She would come by to see him every other day. He would get the biggest smile on his face whenever he spoke of his “Mary.” Each time she visited she had a “plan of the day.” She would bring an activity kit, a snack, a scrapbook, or some type of task that they could work on together. If something wasn’t working at the house, she would tell him about it and ask his advice. It didn’t matter if his advice was nonsensical or not appropriate. What mattered was that Mary gave George a chance to have a purpose. To Mary it was important that she always recognized that he was her husband and that she was his wife.
Attachment is as important to someone with Alzheimer’s as it is when a person is very young. Mary understood that it was important for their marriage as well as for George’s well being to continue to provide the attachment they both needed. Even towards the final stage of Alzheimer’s George knew his wife and could express his love for her in nonverbal looks and smiles.
Daily Journals For Caregivers
Friday, January 2nd, 2009I recently received a call from a daughter caring for her dad with Alzheimer’s. Her challenge was communicating with the family physician about Dad’s care. It seemed that each time Dad went to the doctor, he was able to answer the questions perfectly therefore the doctor didn’t think there was cause for concern. What the doctor didn’t know however was that five minutes after leaving the office, Dad couldn’t remember that he’d even been to the doctor that day. Care at home was becoming increasingly more difficult because the family was not able to get him to take a bath, his meds, or (at times) eat.
One of the best tools that families can utilities when preparing for any kind of visit to a physician is a daily journal. In this journal, a care giver can keep track of all the important information that the physician will need to know.
My family encountered this same situation when my grandfather began having challenges due to Alzheimer’s. Providing the doctor a clear picture of what was occurring daily made it easier for him to prescribe medication and advise my grandfather. When it came time to give up the keys to his truck, he did so willingly because the doctor advised it. Had that bit of information come from his family he would have fought us.
The Alzheimer’s Association recommends the following list:
· Any medications taken that day. List any over the counter, prescribed, or herbal remedies.
-Medication name
-Dosage
-Time of day taken
· Changes in:
-Behavior
-Memory
-Personality
-Activities of daily living (such as bathing, eating, dressing, etc.)
How much assistance does the person with AD need to
complete these tasks?
· Activities the person with AD enjoyed that day and how much assistance was needed to complete these events.
· Caregiving strategies that worked and those that did not.
Caregivers should also remember to note when they themselves are feeling overwhelmed in certain situations. Asking for help in these situations should never be considered a failure and is encouraged in order to maintain the caregiver’s own health and well-being.