In-Service Training Programs
Behavior Management: Understanding and Preventing) Dementia and Delirium Based Behaviors
This in-service provides staff with the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to work with individuals with dementia and delirium based behaviors. The focus of the in-service is differentiating between dementia and delirium, and identifying possible causes (antecedents) to the behavior. By identifying potential behavioral antecedents, staff learn how to address the resident behaviors, as well as prevent future behavioral incidents.
Behavior Management: Behavioral Alternatives to Pharmacological Behavior Management.
This in-service will present several cognitive/behavior based therapeutic interventions which will enable us to better meet our residents needs in situations which may otherwise call for the use of pharmacological intervention or physical restraint. Specific interventions will be discussed including Validation Therapy and reminiscence based multi-modal sensory stimulation. These two approaches are most appropriate for residents demonstrating difficulty with A.D.L.s, physical/verbal abusiveness, sleep pattern disturbance, chronic pain, wandering, agitation, and other behavioral manifestations of cognitive impairment. Participants will develop knowledge and abilities related to effective behavior management for cognitively impaired individuals.
Behavior Management: Effective Communication Techniques
This in-service provides participants with the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to effectively communicate with the cognitively impaired resident. The in-service covers antecedent behavior monitoring, verbal and non-verbal communication, validation, re-direction, spatial awareness and appropriate body proximity when communicating.
Comprehensive (Activity) Program Planning Within Long Term Care: Domain Specific and Resident Centered.
This interactive in-service will present a comprehensive resident centered approach to Recreation/Activity program planning. Such an approach ensures programming which
Is responsive to the unique needs and abilities of each resident;
Is responsive to the varying functional levels among residents; and
Structures Recreation/Activity programs in such a way as to comprehensively meet the physical, cognitive, social and emotional/spiritual needs of residents.
The Importance of Activity in the Quality of Resident Care and Quality of Resident Life
This in-service is designed for all staff to review the importance of assisting, encouraging and promoting activity in resident life. Increased attendance in group or self-directed activity provides residents with health and treatment benefits, opportunities for self-determination, control and enjoyment. Discussion and team-building exercises are used to promote this united process. Discussion includes a review of the Interpretive Guidelines for F248 and F249.
In Pursuit of Intimacy
Expressions of intimacy involving nursing home residents with dementia are often ignored, responded to with prejudice, or responded to with inconsistency due to lack of understanding nor well established guidelines. This session will discuss intimacy with sensitivity, and provide guidelines for facility and staff responses to both self-directed intimacy, as well as intimacy between residents with dementia.
Enabling Freedom: The Role of the Prosthetic Environment in the Care of Individuals with Dementia
The facility in which the resident with dementia resides is the individuals’ home. The physical layout of this environment plays a significant role in the care of individuals with dementia since the environment has the potential to either support or inhibit functional independence, mobility, perceived control, perceived security, and even cognitive functioning. This session will provide a comprehensive overview of the physical environment as related to Dementia Care, and provide cost effective suggestions which will enhance safety and independence as well as reduce environment based behavioral problems.
Validation – An Effective Technique for Communicating with the Confused and Agitated Resident
Validation therapy* provides caregivers with an effective procedure for interacting with the cognitively impaired confused and agitated resident. This approach encourages the caregiver to enter the resident's "reality", rather than requiring the resident to re-enter the caregiver's "reality". By utilizing effective communication techniques, as well as by asking the resident questions (who, what, when, where and/or how), the individual is encouraged to discuss what it is that may be tugging at his/her consciousness. Moreover, by engaging the resident in discussion , caregivers are able to validate the resident's thoughts, memories, experiences and concerns. This interactive in-service will provide participants with knowledge and skills necessary for successful validation based resident interactions.
Other In-Service topics include:
Avoiding and Preventing Caregiver Burnout
Behavior Management and Monitoring of Antipsychotic Medications for the Elderly
Comprehensive Inter-Disciplinary Care Plan Development
Confidentiality
Constructing Your Vision – developing personal and professional goals.
Cultural Issues which Effect the Delivery of Health Care Services
Developing a Dynamic Volunteer Program
Documentation Rooted in solid Ground - Assessment, M.D.S., Care Plan and Quarterly Progress Notes.
Dignity in the Geriatric Population
Fast Lane to Fun – Overcoming Recreation Roadblocks.
Programming for the Dependent Resident
Programming for the Independent Resident
Psychosocial Issues for Nursing Home Residents
Psychosocial Outcome Severity Guidelines
Psychosocial Support for Debilitating Illnesses (i.e. Parkinson’s, COPD, Stroke, Depression, M.S., Heart Disease).
Reminiscence Based Multi-Modal Sensory Stimulation: A Foundation Program for Residents with Cognitive Impairment
Resident Rights, Resident Dignity, Abuse Prevention
Restraint Reduction through targeted Recreation/Activity programming
Time Management
Sensory stimulation for the cognitively impaired resident during ADL care.
Staff Communication with Family Members
Stress Management
Team Building