Education at Sunrise Terrace has always been very important. Sunrise offers ongoing education to the entire staff with at least 20 in-services a year, over 36 online classes and a library of personal improvement and professional information. To help educate the public on important senior and family issues, we have numerous skypes and seminars thru the year. We will also be offering classes for the residents to learn and practice basic computer/internet/email skills to stay plugged in with younger family members. Recently, Peggy Beaty completed the extensive six part “Hand in Hand” Alzheimer’s training provided by CMS, that the staff attended over a four month period.
The topics included:
<ul>
<li>“Understanding the World of Dementia: The Person and the Disease”. Dementia is an umbrella covering a broad spectrum of disorders. A person may have difficulties in a range of areas; memory, orientation, concentration, language, judgment, visuospatial skills, sequencing.</li>
<li>“What is Abuse?” was about recognizing potential symptoms. Our staff understands what to do in the event that any abuse should occur.</li>
<li>“Being with a Person with Dementia: Listening and Speaking” There is a big difference between ‘being with’ and ‘doing for’ or ‘doing to’. Listening is much more than words, it is letting them know they are heard -sometimes without their words-with dignity and respect, a fundamental human need.</li>
<li>“Being with a Person with Dementia: Actions and Reactions” Actions speak louder than words. And when someone with dementia has lost the ability to communicate in the traditional way, staff learned to recognize the language they are really speaking.</li>
<li>“Preventing Abuse”: Staff learned the importance of how to stop, before it ever happens, the chain of events that could lead to abuse. Caring for someone with dementia can be challenging but Sunrise Terrace staff understand ways to respond that can prevent any negative series of events and reactions that could lead to abuse.</li>
<li>“Being with a Person with Dementia: Making a Difference” Staff and caregivers want to help residents maintain their abilities as long as possible. Loved ones with memory loss, no matter how severe, still deserve quality of life. They have a past life, full of memories. Meeting them in that place can bring them happiness and dignity. This takes time, patience and compassion but understanding their life stories makes this a much easier process.</li>
</ul>
The “Hand in Hand” training was very interested and well attended by staff. The techniques and insight were put into practice, making a difference in the lives of our residents, families and staff. Contact us to learn more. As always, we are here to offer help and support. We would like to invite any one struggling with Alzheimer’s or dementia to come to our support group that meets the 3<sup>rd</sup> Tuesday of every month.
<p style=”text-align: right;”>–Marilyn Nichols</p>
