iCARE Matters — Person-Centered Care in Dementia
What is Person-Centered Care?
Person-centered care is an approach that places the individual at the heart of their care. It involves understanding and respecting each resident’s personal experiences, cultural background, and emotional needs. By tailoring care plans to the individual, we can enhance their overall well-being and comfort.
Why It Matters
Every person with dementia is unique, with their own set of life experiences and personal preferences. Recognizing these differences is crucial in providing care that not only addresses their medical needs but also supports their emotional and psychological well-being.
For example, one resident might find comfort in listening to classical music because it reminds them of their youth, while another might feel more at ease with a daily walk in the garden. By acknowledging and incorporating these preferences into their care plans, we can help them feel more connected, understood, and valued.
How to Implement Person-Centered Care
Get to Know Your Residents: Take the time to learn about each resident’s history, interests, and preferences. This can be through conversations with the resident, their family, or by observing their reactions to different activities.
Tailor Activities and Routines: Use the information gathered to create personalized care plans. This could mean adjusting daily routines to include preferred activities or making environmental changes that reflect the resident’s tastes.
Involve the Family: Families can provide invaluable insights into their loved ones’ preferences and histories. Involving them in the care process can improve communication and ensure that the care provided aligns with the resident’s needs.
Be Flexible: Person-centered care requires flexibility. Be prepared to adjust care plans as the resident’s needs and preferences evolve over time.
Training and Support: Ensure that all team members are trained in person-centered care principles and have the support they need to implement these practices effectively.
By focusing on person-centered care, we can make meaningful strides in enhancing the quality of life for our residents with dementia. Let’s commit to understanding and respecting each individual’s needs, preferences, and history, creating a more compassionate and effective care environment.
iCARE Dementia Training — Iowa Participating Communities
Forty-seven Iowa skilled nursing communities joined the iCARE Dementia Training Project. These communities are supporting their staff professional development by providing them with the opportunity to become Certified Dementia Practitioners (CDPs).
- Atlantic Specialty Care
- Avoca Specialty Care
- Azria Health Clarinda
- Bedford Specialty Care
- Belle Plaine Specialty Care
- Centerville Specialty Care
- Chariton Specialty Care
- Cherokee Specialty Care
- Corning Specialty Care
- Correctionville Specialty Care
- Corydon Specialty Care
- Creston Specialty Care
- Crestview Specialty Care
- Dubuque Specialty Care
- Dunlap Specialty Care
- Eldora Specialty Care
- Fieldstone of DeWitt
- Fonda Specialty Care
- Heritage Specialty Care
- Kingsley Specialty Care
- Lamoni Specialty Care
- Lantern Park Specialty Care
- Laporte City Specialty Care
- Lyon Specialty Care
- Manly Specialty Care
- Mechanicsville Specialty Care
- Montezuma Specialty Care
- New London Specialty Care
- Northcrest Specialty Care
- Northern Mahaska Specialty Care
- Oaknoll Retirement Residence
- Oakwood Specialty Care
- Odebolt Specialty Care
- Panora Specialty Care
- Parkridge Specialty Care
- Pinnacle Specialty Care
- Ravenwood Specialty Care
- Ridgewood Specialty Care
- Sibley Specialty Care
- Southern Hills Specialty Care
- Southridge Specialty Care
- State Center Specialty Care
- Stratford Specialty Care
- Strawberry Point Lutheran Home
- Wapello Specialty Care
- West Ridge Specialty Care
- Westwood Specialty Care
Trainer Profile — Melonie Tindall
Melonie Tindall, BA, MCS, CDP, CADDCT, CSA, has worked in the senior living field for the past three decades in many different levels of care. One of her areas of expertise is dementia care and working with both residents and staff to enhance their quality of life and work environment. After many years of working at the local community level and then at a corporate level, she transitioned to helping communities find result-based programs that help communities across the nation bridge the gap in person-directed support to improve resident life and well-being.
Her areas of expertise include quality assurance, MAR Review, transfer training, creating meaningful dining experiences, understanding of services, levels of care and acute to placement transitions, as well as family caregiver conferences. She has also managed approximately 80 CMP Reinvestment Program grant projects at over 300 communities. She is the Founder/President America’s Dementia Coach (ADC).
Caregiver Notes
This e-book is an easy approach to keeping your medical paperwork together and accessible at a moment’s notice. It is set up in an easy-to-understand way and has a place for important information as well as the ability to add specific documents to it. After printing it out, consider placing it in a binder with copies of powers of attorney, advanced directives and other ENT medical paperwork.
This will provide you an easy tool to take to physician appointments or other medical encounters.
CEU Connection
LinkedSenior
The Secret to Engaged, Happy Residents
Tuesday, November 19, 2024, 1PM – 2PM ET
This webinar will walk you through the standards you will need to implement and maintain so that your senior living programming indeed results in engaged, happy residents.
1 CEU will be offered to participants who attend this session for the full 60 minutes and respond to the time-sensitive survey upon completion of the event.
https://www.linkedsenior.com/resource/webinar/the-secret-to-engaged-happyresidents
America’s Dementia Coach
Melonie@americasdementiacoach.com
720.315.1039