Topic: person-centered care
What is your role at Aging Wisdom? Creative Engagement Specialist
What made you want to work in the field of aging? My grandparents were always a big part of my childhood growing up and I got to spend time with my great-grandparents as well learning about their lives and experiences. I naturally have an affinity for older adults and I feel drawn to support those in vulnerable stages of life. …
If you are caring for someone living with a progressive condition or a change in health or cognition, you have likely heard the phrase person-centered care.
Person-centered care is the foundation of our Creative Engagement program, which is built on the core values of purpose, respect, and exquisite listening. A person-centered approach focuses on an individual’s preferences, goals, and needs. This approach makes sure that individuals living with dementia or other health changes can take part in what they value and enjoy.
We extend invitations to participate. We do not assume to know what our clients want, and we involve our clients in decision-making as we tailor projects and outings to their preferences. We ask for feedback. We observe body language and make eye contact. We allow for feelings to be expressed and then validate those feelings. …
What is your role at Aging Wisdom?
Creative Engagement Specialist Lead
What made you want to work in the field of aging? …
What is your role at Aging Wisdom?
Creative Engagement Specialist
What made you want to work in the field of aging?
I fell into the field by accident; started working in Assisted Living while going to college and fell in love the older adults I was working with. I felt connected to the residents on a level where age didn’t matter! And I have worked in the field ever since!
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The foundation of Aging Wisdom’s Creative Engagement program is person-centered care, which is built with core values of purpose, respect, and exquisite listening1.
If you are a caregiver, a great start to person-centered care is centering yourself first. You’ve probably heard that caregivers need to take care of themselves to care well for their loved one. And it is true! By clearing your head before focusing on the person in your care and an activity, you are better equipped to meet them where they are and show greater patience. You can do this with a brief walk, a brisk dance to a favorite song, or intentional breathing. …
What is your role at Aging Wisdom?
Director of Creative Engagement
What made you want to work in the field of aging?
Dementia is in my family – I’ve lost two grandparents to dementia and now my mother is living with it. When my paternal grandmother died in 2007, I began volunteering with Alzheimer’s organizations. My maternal grandfather died from the disease in 2014 – the summer after my first year of graduate school where I was first introduced to the idea of “creative aging” and started volunteering with the Frye Art Museum. It married two loves for me – older adults and art. That year was full of “what if’s” thinking about my grandparents’ care and engagement. I knew we could do better as a family, community and country in taking care of older adults. …
Integrated and personalized care is at the core of our work as Aging Life Care Professionals (AKA Care Managers). A person-centered approach is how we best meet the needs of our clients.
There are proven methods for managing symptoms and optimizing care so the person living with Parkinson’s can maintain as much autonomy as possible.
Care management yields positive effects on an individual’s health outcomes, health care utilization, quality of life, and overall well-being, all while addressing the unique needs of their care partners. …
Parkinson’s Disease: The benefits of integrated, personalized care planningRead More »
Feeling truly seen and heard helps to build trust and relationship, and contributes to aging well, caring well, and living well.
Our Care Managers and Creative Engagement Specialists are incredibly adept at the powers of observation, asking questions, actively listening, making connections, learning about the person in front of them, and being in the moment. Each conversation provides opportunity to know a client more personally, find ways to add to their quality of life, and enhance well-being. …
Person-Centered Support and the Power of ListeningRead More »