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Session Description: 

Participants will be able to identify source of fatigue – compassion fatigue, burn-out, moral fatigue, emotional, physical and/or spiritual fatigue.

Participants will be able to identify self-care strategies that address their type of fatigue – compassion fatigue, burn-out, moral fatigue, emotional, physical, and/or spiritual fatigue.

Presenter: Ann Charlescraft

The Rev. Dr. Ann Sidney Charlescraft is a consultant for hospitals and institutions in developing programs for care of the professional caregiver.  Her interests in caring for professional caregivers began when she was serving on staff at Virginia Commonwealth University Health System in Richmond, Virginia.   Having experienced compassion fatigue while caring for children and families, Dr. Charlescraft was convinced that personal, familial, collegial and institutional supports are needed for the well-being of those who care for others on a daily basis.  She began her doctoral studies in 2000 at Baptist Theological Seminary at Richmond and concluded her work by designing and implementing a self care research study for pediatric intensive care nurses.  The study demonstrated that self care education and enhanced spiritual well-being serve not only the caregiver, but the institution in developing healthier environments and supportive care for professionals.  In addition, the pilot program return on investment was slightly over one million dollars in staff retention.  Since retiring in 2016, she has consulted with various healthcare institutions to develop ways of supporting staff that go beyond the ordinary, established benefits.

Dr. Charlescraft begin her professional career in public education and subsequently in vocational ministry.  While in the local church she focused on children and families, education, and care of the bereaved.  She was one of the first, and last, Baptist women to be ordained in a Southern Baptist Church.  Currently, she is an endorsed chaplain with the Alliance of Baptists and a board certified chaplain, retired, with the Association of Professional Chaplains.  Dr. Charlescraft is a regional, national, and international presenter in the areas of caregiving with emphasis on compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction, burn-out, and moral distress; bereavement care for children and families; and spiritual formation.

Academic training has been a privilege for Dr. Charlescraft who completed her BS in Child Development and Family Relations (1974/UNC-Greensboro), M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education (1977/UNCG); M.Div. in pastoral care and theology (1988/Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary); Certificate in Patient Counseling (1996/VCU); and D.Min. (2005/BTSR).  In addition, Dr. Charlescraft has availed herself of continuing education at Princeton Theological Seminary.

Today, Dr. Charlescraft spends her time in developing programs for healthcare institutions, assisting VCU College of Health Professions, Department of Patient Counseling as lead annual gift officer for Alumni Development, and enjoying the mountains of Southwest Virginia.  She is a board member and treasurer of the international mission agency JourneyPartners (primary support to Kutenda Children’s Home, Zimbabwe), and a supportive presence for Camp Selah near Danville, Virginia where the spiritual formation of children and families is the primary focus.  She enjoys nature, reading, and retirement!

Register Here

Series Overview

Join LeadingAge Iowa for a 4-part series that covers tools to optimize quality dementia care. This series of webinars, presented by Kathleen Weissberg from Select Rehabilitation, is a comprehensive look at quality dementia care opportunities. The series begins with an overview of evidence-based interventions to address common “problematic” dementia behaviors. Developing and fostering a person-centered Montessori-based approach for aging and dementia will be explored next. The third installment looks specifically at how providers can tackle loneliness and social isolation in residents with dementia (particularly in light of the COVID pandemic). The series ends with a “design-on-a-dime” approach to setting up a multi-sensory stimulation space that impacts the quality of life of persons with dementia without relying on pharmacology.

Evidence-Based Interventions to Address Dementia Behaviors

Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021 @ 1 – 2 p.m. CT

Behaviors like catastrophic outbursts and agitation often result from inability to communicate, need for emotional security, sensory issues like overstimulation, or staff responses that do not support purposeful and meaningful engagement.  Behaviors in persons with dementia often go unaddressed because providers lack strategies to address these or use interventions not based on the evidence and therefore not effective.  In this session, evidence-based behavior management and intervention strategies related to pain management, communication, emotional/cognitive state, sensation, agitation, and wandering are examined to help providers reduce unwanted behaviors without relying on medications.  The research related to routine, resident preference, and meaningful engagement in activities is discussed along with their impact on activities of daily living (ADL) performance.  Using a person-centered approach, participants will learn how to adapt activities to match the client’s functional level, modify routines to enhance occupational performance, and environment-based interventions to promote a home-like atmosphere, and foster active engagement at all stages of the disease process.

• List the triggers and causes of behaviors in persons with dementia.
• Identify evidence-based interventions to address behaviors related to emotion, sensation and agitation.
• Discuss the impact of routine and meaningful activity on ADL performance.

A Montessori-Based Approach for Aging and Dementia

Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021 @ 1 – 2 p.m. CT

Developed in the early 20th century, the Montessori method of teaching holds that when you’re working with individuals, you must consider their needs and capabilities in concert.  What do they like to do?  What are they able to do?  The focus is not on challenging the individual, but instead taking the task a little beyond the comfort zone so individuals still have the opportunity to learn and improve.  The Montessori method of caregiving has a very similar goal: engaging the senses in order to help Alzheimer’s and dementia patients and loved ones rediscover the world around them.  In this session, participants will learn from a Montessori specialist about the Montessori principles of independence according to one’s ability, and the benefits of the prepared environment.  Specifically, participants will learn about the typical symptoms that can be expected as dementia progresses, the fundamental principles of the Montessori method, how to conduct a Montessori-based session, Montessori-based steps to engagement that reduce unwanted behaviors, issues that may arise with this approach, and using case studies and video examples, how to set up activities/tasks for individuals with dementia using a Montessori approach.
Describe abilities that are spared in persons with dementia that can serve as the basis for effective interventions.

• Identify the fundamental principles of a Montessori-based approach to dementia programming.
• List individualized activities that you can implement with individuals with dementia and/or teach your staff to implement to reduce unwanted behaviors and improve engagement.
• Describe ways to modify the physical environment to support people with dementia.
• Identify tools that will improve engagement, activities, and communication skills for those in your community.

Tackling Loneliness and Social Isolation for Residents with Dementia

Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021 @ 1 – 2 p.m. CT

During normal times, individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias are among the most vulnerable persons in society, depending on family or professional caregivers for their day-to-day survival.  The current pandemic further exacerbates their vulnerability, due to both the morbidity and mortality from COVID-19, and the indirect effects of the pandemic on the social supports upon which they depend.  For those who have Alzheimer’s or dementia, social connection means everything and social distancing is a difficult concept for them to understand; persons with dementia are disproportionately affected by social distancing, isolation and lockdown.

How can we help?  Caregivers and nursing home staff play a pivotal role in minimizing social isolation, loneliness, depression, and behaviors in persons with dementia.  Isolation does not need to equal decline!  This session will review practical and cost-effective strategies care providers can implement to impact these areas.  Following the framework of person-centered care, providers will hear about meaningful and purposeful activity, sensory, technology, and wellness strategies they can implement to mitigate the potentially harmful effects of isolation.

• Describe the scope of the problem related to isolation for residents with dementia.
• Identify practical approaches to implement person-centered care initiatives while in isolation.
• Enumerate ways to enhance social connectedness while in isolation.

• Explain how elements of person-centered approach can minimize behaviors and enhance functional performance while in isolation.

Multi-Sensory Stimulation Rooms for Persons with Dementia

Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021 @ 1 – 2 p.m. CT

Sensory stimulation uses everyday objects to arouse one or more of the five senses with the goal of either engaging or calming an individual.  Multi-sensory stimulation rooms or spaces are designed for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia so they can safely explore and stimulate all five senses.  The room combines gentle light, movement, music, aromas and tactile objects designed to either calm or stimulate individuals, depending on each person’s needs.  Some ways in which the sensory room has shown to be a positive health promotion tool are through creating a safe place for the patient to go, encouraging a positive therapeutic relationship between staff and patient, providing a place to teach skills and conduct therapeutic activities, establishing a place where crisis de-escalation strategies can be implemented, and helping to promote self-care and recovery.  Activities involved in sensory stimulation are often linked to past interests and can help the person with dementia to build a connection with everyday life while reducing anxiety.

There are a variety of activities and equipment that can be used in this setting and there are many ways the room can be set up to help individualize the sensory room to the person using it.  Often times, multi-sensory rooms are designed in collaboration with a vendor and the result is something that appears juvenile or possibly futuristic with the use of high-tech light displays and gadgets.  It doesn’t have to be that way!  The number one principle in designing a space is “less is more.”

In this session, participants will learn how sensory stimulation impacts the person living with dementia.  Participants will learn how to set up a room or a space in their community using best practice design principles.  This session will offer a “design on a dime” approach to a sensory room and demonstrate to providers how to set up a room or space of their own so they can further impact the quality of life of persons with dementia without relying on pharmacology.

• Identify calming and stimulating sensory interventions for persons with dementia.
• List the benefits of multi-sensory stimulation for persons living with dementia.
• Enumerate design principles to consider when designing a multi-sensory space.
• Recognize everyday objects, activities, low-tech and sensory inputs to include in a multi-sensory environment to facilitate purposeful engagement.

Faculty

Kathleen Weissberg, MS, OTD, OTR/L, CMDCP, CDP, National Director of Education, Select Rehabilitation

Dr. Kathleen Weissberg, (MS in OT, 1993; Doctoral 2014) in her 25+ years of practice, has worked in rehabilitation and long-term care as an executive, researcher and educator.  She has established numerous programs in nursing facilities; authored peer-reviewed publications on topics such as low vision, dementia quality care, and wellness; has spoken at numerous conferences both nationally and internationally, for 20+ State Health Care Associations, and for 25+ state LeadingAge affiliates.  She provides continuing education support to more than 17,000 therapists, nurses, and administrators nationwide as National Director of Education for Select Rehabilitation.  She is a Certified Dementia Care Practitioner and a Certified Montessori Dementia Care Practitioner.  She serves as the Region 1 Director for the American Occupational Therapy Association Political Affairs Affiliates and is an adjunct professor at both Chatham University in Pittsburgh, PA and Gannon University in Erie, PA.

Registration

Registration is per connection needed at a facility and includes the full 4-webinar series. This allows multiple staff members to participate in the education using one connection. Prior registration is required to ensure connection information and applicable materials are distributed prior to the webinar. The registration fee for this webinar is $199 per SDAHO Member facility /$250 per non-member facility. CE: LNHA & SW

Are you looking for a place to express, share, vent, unload? If so, join fellow nurses, on Wednesday, February 10^th from Noon-1pm for a FELLOWSHIP FORUM. This is an opportunity to connect with fellow nurses across SD and mental health professionals from the 605 Strong Team.

This forum is brought to you by 605 Strong. 605 Strong was created by a partnership of the South Dakota Department of Social Services, Department of Health, Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota and 211 Helpline.  Mental health professionals from Lutheran Social Services will lead this discussion.

Register in advance for this meeting: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIkdO2orzouGdaUclLm1nCfWnEbWa-4clKE

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Register Here

Series Overview

Join LeadingAge Iowa for a 4-part series that covers tools to optimize quality dementia care. This series of webinars, presented by Kathleen Weissberg from Select Rehabilitation, is a comprehensive look at quality dementia care opportunities. The series begins with an overview of evidence-based interventions to address common “problematic” dementia behaviors. Developing and fostering a person-centered Montessori-based approach for aging and dementia will be explored next. The third installment looks specifically at how providers can tackle loneliness and social isolation in residents with dementia (particularly in light of the COVID pandemic). The series ends with a “design-on-a-dime” approach to setting up a multi-sensory stimulation space that impacts the quality of life of persons with dementia without relying on pharmacology.

Evidence-Based Interventions to Address Dementia Behaviors

Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021 @ 1 – 2 p.m. CT

Behaviors like catastrophic outbursts and agitation often result from inability to communicate, need for emotional security, sensory issues like overstimulation, or staff responses that do not support purposeful and meaningful engagement.  Behaviors in persons with dementia often go unaddressed because providers lack strategies to address these or use interventions not based on the evidence and therefore not effective.  In this session, evidence-based behavior management and intervention strategies related to pain management, communication, emotional/cognitive state, sensation, agitation, and wandering are examined to help providers reduce unwanted behaviors without relying on medications.  The research related to routine, resident preference, and meaningful engagement in activities is discussed along with their impact on activities of daily living (ADL) performance.  Using a person-centered approach, participants will learn how to adapt activities to match the client’s functional level, modify routines to enhance occupational performance, and environment-based interventions to promote a home-like atmosphere, and foster active engagement at all stages of the disease process.

• List the triggers and causes of behaviors in persons with dementia.
• Identify evidence-based interventions to address behaviors related to emotion, sensation and agitation.
• Discuss the impact of routine and meaningful activity on ADL performance.

A Montessori-Based Approach for Aging and Dementia

Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021 @ 1 – 2 p.m. CT

Developed in the early 20th century, the Montessori method of teaching holds that when you’re working with individuals, you must consider their needs and capabilities in concert.  What do they like to do?  What are they able to do?  The focus is not on challenging the individual, but instead taking the task a little beyond the comfort zone so individuals still have the opportunity to learn and improve.  The Montessori method of caregiving has a very similar goal: engaging the senses in order to help Alzheimer’s and dementia patients and loved ones rediscover the world around them.  In this session, participants will learn from a Montessori specialist about the Montessori principles of independence according to one’s ability, and the benefits of the prepared environment.  Specifically, participants will learn about the typical symptoms that can be expected as dementia progresses, the fundamental principles of the Montessori method, how to conduct a Montessori-based session, Montessori-based steps to engagement that reduce unwanted behaviors, issues that may arise with this approach, and using case studies and video examples, how to set up activities/tasks for individuals with dementia using a Montessori approach.
Describe abilities that are spared in persons with dementia that can serve as the basis for effective interventions.

• Identify the fundamental principles of a Montessori-based approach to dementia programming.
• List individualized activities that you can implement with individuals with dementia and/or teach your staff to implement to reduce unwanted behaviors and improve engagement.
• Describe ways to modify the physical environment to support people with dementia.
• Identify tools that will improve engagement, activities, and communication skills for those in your community.

Tackling Loneliness and Social Isolation for Residents with Dementia

Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021 @ 1 – 2 p.m. CT

During normal times, individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias are among the most vulnerable persons in society, depending on family or professional caregivers for their day-to-day survival.  The current pandemic further exacerbates their vulnerability, due to both the morbidity and mortality from COVID-19, and the indirect effects of the pandemic on the social supports upon which they depend.  For those who have Alzheimer’s or dementia, social connection means everything and social distancing is a difficult concept for them to understand; persons with dementia are disproportionately affected by social distancing, isolation and lockdown.

How can we help?  Caregivers and nursing home staff play a pivotal role in minimizing social isolation, loneliness, depression, and behaviors in persons with dementia.  Isolation does not need to equal decline!  This session will review practical and cost-effective strategies care providers can implement to impact these areas.  Following the framework of person-centered care, providers will hear about meaningful and purposeful activity, sensory, technology, and wellness strategies they can implement to mitigate the potentially harmful effects of isolation.

• Describe the scope of the problem related to isolation for residents with dementia.
• Identify practical approaches to implement person-centered care initiatives while in isolation.
• Enumerate ways to enhance social connectedness while in isolation.

• Explain how elements of person-centered approach can minimize behaviors and enhance functional performance while in isolation.

Multi-Sensory Stimulation Rooms for Persons with Dementia

Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021 @ 1 – 2 p.m. CT

Sensory stimulation uses everyday objects to arouse one or more of the five senses with the goal of either engaging or calming an individual.  Multi-sensory stimulation rooms or spaces are designed for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia so they can safely explore and stimulate all five senses.  The room combines gentle light, movement, music, aromas and tactile objects designed to either calm or stimulate individuals, depending on each person’s needs.  Some ways in which the sensory room has shown to be a positive health promotion tool are through creating a safe place for the patient to go, encouraging a positive therapeutic relationship between staff and patient, providing a place to teach skills and conduct therapeutic activities, establishing a place where crisis de-escalation strategies can be implemented, and helping to promote self-care and recovery.  Activities involved in sensory stimulation are often linked to past interests and can help the person with dementia to build a connection with everyday life while reducing anxiety.

There are a variety of activities and equipment that can be used in this setting and there are many ways the room can be set up to help individualize the sensory room to the person using it.  Often times, multi-sensory rooms are designed in collaboration with a vendor and the result is something that appears juvenile or possibly futuristic with the use of high-tech light displays and gadgets.  It doesn’t have to be that way!  The number one principle in designing a space is “less is more.”

In this session, participants will learn how sensory stimulation impacts the person living with dementia.  Participants will learn how to set up a room or a space in their community using best practice design principles.  This session will offer a “design on a dime” approach to a sensory room and demonstrate to providers how to set up a room or space of their own so they can further impact the quality of life of persons with dementia without relying on pharmacology.

• Identify calming and stimulating sensory interventions for persons with dementia.
• List the benefits of multi-sensory stimulation for persons living with dementia.
• Enumerate design principles to consider when designing a multi-sensory space.
• Recognize everyday objects, activities, low-tech and sensory inputs to include in a multi-sensory environment to facilitate purposeful engagement.

Faculty

Kathleen Weissberg, MS, OTD, OTR/L, CMDCP, CDP, National Director of Education, Select Rehabilitation

Dr. Kathleen Weissberg, (MS in OT, 1993; Doctoral 2014) in her 25+ years of practice, has worked in rehabilitation and long-term care as an executive, researcher and educator.  She has established numerous programs in nursing facilities; authored peer-reviewed publications on topics such as low vision, dementia quality care, and wellness; has spoken at numerous conferences both nationally and internationally, for 20+ State Health Care Associations, and for 25+ state LeadingAge affiliates.  She provides continuing education support to more than 17,000 therapists, nurses, and administrators nationwide as National Director of Education for Select Rehabilitation.  She is a Certified Dementia Care Practitioner and a Certified Montessori Dementia Care Practitioner.  She serves as the Region 1 Director for the American Occupational Therapy Association Political Affairs Affiliates and is an adjunct professor at both Chatham University in Pittsburgh, PA and Gannon University in Erie, PA.

Registration

Registration is per connection needed at a facility and includes the full 4-webinar series. This allows multiple staff members to participate in the education using one connection. Prior registration is required to ensure connection information and applicable materials are distributed prior to the webinar. The registration fee for this webinar is $199 per SDAHO Member facility /$250 per non-member facility. CE: LNHA & SW

Register Here

Overview

February 11, 2021 3:30 -4:30pm CST
HELP I’M DROWNING! Stress and Balancing Life
Ever feel like you are drowning? Can’t take another patient, administrator, student or employee walking in for help? Ever met the former medical provider who is tired, broken and put out to pasture? As medical professionals we face a huge challenge not to become that burned out and stressed provider. We teach students that providing patient care is a stressful and trying profession, yet we rarely take care of ourselves. Margaret and Kirk will take you down the path of what stressors medical professionals face, why we need to deal with stress and how to deal with stress. Margaret and Kirk will show you some methods and guide you to balancing work, family and the stress of Covid-19. Join Capt. Kirk and Margaret for a magic carpet ride to a healthier mental self.

February 18, 2021 3:30 -4:30pm CST
This Won’t Last Forever; What’s the Next Chapter After COVID-19?
Let’s face it, there was life before Covid-19 and there will be life after Covid-19. Before February 2020 none of us knew about RNA Vaccines, Social Distancing, Quarantining,  Isolation, Masking and how often we should wash our hands. How has this affected our daily lives, patient care and outlook on our lives going forward? The answers lie in what has  changed in our current care and habits along with what makes sense going forward. What do the folks working on the front lines see as positive improvements and how we proceed with care in the future? Through research and some good old fashioned examples Margaret and Capt. Kirk will help you make sense of all that is going on and how we can move forward after Covid-19 has changed us forever. With a little plug for vaccines and some Covid-19 fun facts Margaret and Capt. Kirk promise to show you what coming after Covid-19. Join Capt. Kirk and Margaret for an entertaining look at our future as Healthcare Providers.

February 25, 2021 3:30 -4:30pm CST
PASSION, Catch it….Share it
Do you remember the passion that you began your career with? Most of us entered the Medical Field with our eyes gleaming and expecting Johnny and Roy or Dr. Miranda Baily from Grey’s Anatomy to meet us in class and then to mentor us along our career path. We were sure we would save the world, never letting a patient die or take a turn for the worse. Each time we would care for a patient in our career we felt like we were wearing a cape. It didn’t take long before reality set in and we saw that EMS, Nursing, and Healthcare in general is not what is portrayed on TV. It is far from glamorous and not built to make you a hero. In spite of this you have stuck with it making the provision of medicine your career. Each Covid-19 patient we care for on takes a toll on our psyche and affects the way we work, teach and mentor our future and current Medical Professionals. We are building the future of our profession through our actions and attitudes. Covid is not here to stay and quite possibly neither are we if we don’t rejuvenate and readjust. With this in mind isn’t it time we once again shared our passion and love for providing care to others with the world? We all  recognize that being a Medical Professional is more dangerous, stressful and trying with Covid in the air. Margaret and Capt. Kirk will help you recognize that your original passion for the Medical Field isn’t gone, it’s just hidden. It is time to get your passion back and become rejuvenated. Through PASSION and ENERGY Margaret and Capt. Kirk will help you realize  your potential and why you got into this profession in the beginning. Join Capt. Kirk and Margaret for an entertaining and interactive session to improve your life and your patient care.

Presenters

Kirk E. Mittelman, M.Ed., NRP

Capt. Kirk is a 40-year veteran of EMS and Public Safety, Capt. Kirk retired in 2001 from Provo City Police after 22 years and a Purple Heart. Upon retiring from Law Enforcement, Capt. Kirk went to work full time in the Fire/EMS service where he again retired after serving as a Paramedic Captain and EMS Coordinator for Eagle Mountain Fire Department.

Capt. Kirk is currently working for Reach Air Medical, serving Contra Costa County Fire Protection District as the Clinical Quality Improvement and Clinical Education Coordinator.  Capt. Kirk teaches all levels of EMT’s and wilderness medicine as the Co-Founder and Program Director of Mt Nebo Training.

In his spare time Capt. Kirk travels to 3rd World countries as a volunteer teaching EMS to physicians, nurses and EMS personnel. When things get too hectic Papa Kirk can be found waterskiing and enjoying the sun at Lake Powell with his 4 children and their spouses, 14 grand and 2 great grandchildren (with more on the way).

Margaret A. Mittelman M.Ed., NRP

Margaret is a Professor, for Utah Valley University teaching EMS and Emergency Management. Margaret is the Co-Founder of Mt Nebo Training in Provo Utah. Margaret serves as Utah practical test team proctor. Margaret has received accolades at every level and received the coveted Dr. Keith Hooker Lifetime Achievement and Dr. Robert Hogan EMS Awards. A 40-year EMS veteran and leader in EMS, Margaret is a favorite presenter at State and National Conventions; gaining notoriety for her portrayal of Ann Robinson of “The Weakest Link.” In her spare time Margaret enjoys spending time on Lake Powell skiing and relaxing with her 4 children, their spouses, 14 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.

Registration

Registration for this series is per connection needed at a facility. This allows multiple staff members to participate in the education using one connection. Prior registration is required to ensure connection information and applicable materials are distributed prior to the webinar. Registration is free for SDAHO Member facilities /$99 per non-member facility.