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Pioneer Network: Changing the Culture of Aging, Care and Support

Pioneer Network: Changing the Culture of Aging, Care and Support

By Pioneer Network

Pioneer Network supports models where elders live in open, diverse, caring communities. In-depth change in systems requires change in governmental policy and regulation; change in the individual’s and society’s attitudes toward aging and elders; change in elders’ attitudes towards themselves and their aging; and change in the attitudes and behavior of caregivers toward those for whom they care. We refer to this work as culture change. Our aim is nothing less than transforming the culture of aging in America.
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Listen, Learn, Explore Episode 7: Living in A Dementia Unit - A View From the Inside

Pioneer Network: Changing the Culture of Aging, Care and SupportMay 19, 2021

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21:21
Listen, Learn, Explore Episode 10: The Power of Person-Centered Care- An Approach that Offers Help During a Staffing Crisis and Compassionate Support for LGBTQ Elders

Listen, Learn, Explore Episode 10: The Power of Person-Centered Care- An Approach that Offers Help During a Staffing Crisis and Compassionate Support for LGBTQ Elders

Kim Warchol, an occupational therapist and the President and Founder of Dementia Care Specialists at Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) joins Penny Cook to discuss the power of person-centered care, especially for those who identify as LGBTQ+. CPI is a member of the Pioneer Partner Network. Kim and Penny talk about how to empower the broader team (families, clients/residents and staff working together) to work together to support our elders and those living with dementia and focus on their behavioral and emotional wellness.

Jun 27, 202238:55
Listen, Learn, Explore Episode 9: Exploring Humanitude® - Bringing the Staff's Person Directed Care Skills to the Next Level
May 19, 202259:33
Listen, Learn, Explore Episode 8: Becoming a Learning Organization

Listen, Learn, Explore Episode 8: Becoming a Learning Organization

Being a Learning Organization is key to growing and supporting a person-directed culture. Educators Anna Ortigara, Marla DeVries, Tim Knight, Jacquie Hurt, Carrie Chiusano, and John Hobday have developed four outstanding sessions for the Pioneer Network 2022 Pioneering a New Culture of Aging Conference being held in July, but we can't wait until July for the learning to begin.  And so, in this podcast, they will share some insights including challenges organizations face as they create and deliver education, why supporting Learning & Development is so critical, learning as a process versus an event, and other ideas to help you create a learning organization .  

After listening to the podcast, click here to join them for a virtual learning circle/discussion on Thursday, May 19 at 2PM EDT for further learning and exploration on this important topic. 

Apr 25, 202228:13
Listen, Learn, Explore Episode 7: Creating Joy at Work

Listen, Learn, Explore Episode 7: Creating Joy at Work

Research shows the significant benefits of joy, to our minds and bodies - so why not apply a creative, joyful lens to the work you do?  Join Jessica McCracken and Katie Wade from Creative Spark, a Front Porch program, as they share thoughts about joy in the workplace.  And then be sure to join Jessica and Katie on Thursday, April  21st at 1PM EDT for further discussion.  They will also conduct interactive exercises to guide you as we create, connect, and share. And we won't forget to throw in a dash of humor!  Click here to save your place.

Apr 08, 202226:03
Listen, Learn, Explore Season 2/Episode 6: WHY Person-Directed Care: A Message to Gerontology Students...and More!

Listen, Learn, Explore Season 2/Episode 6: WHY Person-Directed Care: A Message to Gerontology Students...and More!

Leslie Pedtke is currently working as an adjunct professor at Maryville University in St. Louis, Mo. A long-time advocate of person-directed care (you may be familiar with her book, What Living as a Resident Care Teach Long-Term Care Staff), Leslie was taken aback when 13 students in her Gerontology class shared that they felt that although person-directed care was a wonderful idea, it was not realistic, especially given the climate of the staffing shortage in healthcare.

It seemed to Leslie that she had some “explaining to do”! And so, Leslie invited Pioneer Network staff members, Penny Cook, President & CEO and Joan Devine, Director of Education, to join her in sharing with her students just what Person-Directed care is – and how it can and needs to be a part of the future.

The lessons and stories shared in the interview will hopefully convince Leslie’s students that person-directed care is real and can thrive, even in today’s climate, and we hope they will also inspire others to continue their work in growing person-directed cultures.

Blogs referenced in the interview:
Is Person-Centered Care Forsaken in the Midst of COVID-19?
Culture Change or Person-Directed Care:  What is the Real Journey?

Mar 24, 202244:14
Season 2 Episode 5: Resident Voice - Direct from the Boardroom
Mar 17, 202220:27
Listen, Learn, Explore Episode 4: Reimagining Culture Change – Where Do We Go Now? Providing Person-Directed Care Beyond the Pandemic

Listen, Learn, Explore Episode 4: Reimagining Culture Change – Where Do We Go Now? Providing Person-Directed Care Beyond the Pandemic

Conversations and considerations of COVID-19 have and continue to dominate a large part of our long-term care communities, often dictating how decisions are made. From dining to visitation, just about every aspect of life in these communities has been affected and changed by the pandemic. Now over 2 years later, it is time to adapt and adjust our way of thinking and figure out how we can once again prioritize resident voice in our decision-making. While the culture change fundamentals of a decade ago remain valid and valuable, they nonetheless need to be reimagined in order to be effectively implemented in today’s reality of staffing shortages and other challenges.

Heather Riley, a Licensed Master of Social Work and Licensed Nursing Home Administrator with over 20 years of experience working in long-term care. Heather has worked throughout her career to incorporate culture change principles and person-directed care practices into the communities she worked in and consulted with. 

In the podcast, she shares ideas on how we can reimagine consistent assignment, a core element of culture change, share ideas for improving new and/or agency staff orientation, and offer solutions such as the creation of resident preference cards and other ideas that individually and/or implemented together can positively impact a community while simultaneously prioritizing resident voice.

Though like all of us, she doesn’t have all the answers, she’ll share her thoughts, and then invite you to join her for further conversation and exploration of the question, where we go from here?  

Join us on Zoom March 15 at 2PM EST. Click here to save your spot.

Mar 01, 202229:17
Listen, Learn, Explore - Creating Perfect Pairs
Feb 15, 202219:35
Listen, Learn, Explore: Season 2/Episode 2 - Turnover and Retention: Let's Get Real!
Jan 25, 202230:53
Listen, Learn, Explore: Season 2/Episode 1 - A Conversation with Linda Cohen, Kindness Catalyst
Jan 05, 202235:20
Listen, Learn, Explore Episode 20: A Holiday Message from the Staff at Pioneer Network

Listen, Learn, Explore Episode 20: A Holiday Message from the Staff at Pioneer Network

This is Episode 20 of our podcast and the last of 2021 and we have something a little bit different for you. Join the staff of Pioneer Network, Penny Cook, Cathy Lieblich and Joan Devine for a special holiday episode where they’ll review the year by sharing what’s been meaningful for to them in 2021 and what they’re looking forward to in the New Year.

Thank you for being part of our Network, for your support, your encouragement and for all you do on behalf of the older adults of today and the those of the future.  We wish you a wonderful holiday season filled with family, friends, warmth and love and Cheers to 2022—let’s make it a great year!

Dec 21, 202125:17
LLE 19 - A Conversation on Innovating for Today and Tomorrow
Nov 09, 202127:36
Listen, Learn, Explore Episode 18: The Importance of Family Collaboration for Quality Dementia Care

Listen, Learn, Explore Episode 18: The Importance of Family Collaboration for Quality Dementia Care

Listen to Penny Cook’s second discussion with Kim Warchol, an occupational therapist and the President and Founder of Dementia Care Specialists at Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI). CPI is part of the Pioneer Partner Network. Kim and Penny talk about what quality dementia care really means and the opportunities and benefits of family collaboration. They also have a lively conversation about shifting the paradigm to focus on the family care partner first (like putting on your oxygen mask before helping others!).

Nov 03, 202136:43
Listen, Learn, Explore Episode 17: Making the Most of the Holidays by Setting Shared Goals
Oct 21, 202137:29
Listen, Learn, Explore Episode 16:  Creating a Volun-Cheer Workforce
Oct 14, 202138:57
Listen, Learn, Explore Episode 15: Distress Behavior Intervention - We Have a Solution!

Listen, Learn, Explore Episode 15: Distress Behavior Intervention - We Have a Solution!

Join Penny Cook as she talks “behaviors” with Kim Warchol. Kim is an occupational therapist and the President and Founder of Dementia Care Specialists at Crisis Prevention Institute. Dementia Care Specialists offers a person-centered, abilities-focused model of care for those living with Alzheimer's and dementia. Kim delves into many topics including normalizing the word “behavior,” how we can prevent and intervene with “distress behaviors,” and how this knowledge is beneficial for people living with dementia and both their personal and professional care partners. This is the first of two special episodes that you won’t want to miss.

Oct 07, 202138:49
Listen, Learn, Explore Episode 14: Pandemic Endurance - Building Immunity in Partnership with Nature
Sep 23, 202118:49
Listen, Learn, Explore Episode 13: Know Each Person - You Bring the Passion, PELI Brings the Process!

Listen, Learn, Explore Episode 13: Know Each Person - You Bring the Passion, PELI Brings the Process!

As we work to provide quality of life for residents living in care communities, we can all agree on the value of knowing each person and understanding their preferences around daily routines; preferences that support meaning and purpose in their life. We know we need to not only find a way to collect this information, but we also need to have a process to share it with all team members, incorporate those preferences into each resident’s plan of care, and identify if we are honoring those preferences.

Quite a challenge, but we believe that PELI (Preferences of Everyday Living Inventory) may be just what you are looking for to meet that challenge!

Join Katy as she introduces you to PELI and the PAL Cards and shares how your team can use these tool to support knowing the person -  and more! And there’s more! You will also learn about ComPASS-16, a tool that can help you evaluate how well you are meeting resident preferences, and the Individualized Positive Psychosocial Intervention (IPPI), an evidence-based intervention to help engage with residents living with dementia in day-to-day activities. And everything Katy will be sharing is FREE!

After listening to the podcast, we hope you will join us for a virtual learning circle on Tuesday, September 14, at 1:00PM – 2:00PM EDT, where you will have the opportunity to meet Katy and learn more, ask questions, and even participate in a short demonstration. Click here to register. 

Aug 31, 202121:03
Listen, Learn, Explore, Episode 12: Engagement in Senior Living- Where Are We Now and What Does the Future Hold?

Listen, Learn, Explore, Episode 12: Engagement in Senior Living- Where Are We Now and What Does the Future Hold?

Listen to Dawn Worsley, Certified Activity Consultant, Regional Clinical Specialist, Owner of 'Dawn on the Horizon, and Board President of NCCAP, the National Certification Council for Activity Professionals, as she talks to Penny Cook about the current state and future of engagement and activity professionals. Among other things, you’ll learn how COVID has helped to change the world of the activities calendar and what it means to support residents to have a truly enriched life.  

To explore further the topic of engagement further, Pioneer Network invites you to join us on September 22 for a virtual symposium, Envisioning the Future:  Finding Meaning & Purpose.  To learn more, click here.  

Aug 24, 202135:49
Listen, Learn, Explore Episode 11: Food for Thought

Listen, Learn, Explore Episode 11: Food for Thought

Are you looking for those “a-ha” moments, the little things that can make the dining experience for individuals living with dementia meaningful as you support their nutritional needs? Then you’ll want to join Toni Fisk, CDM and author of the book,  #dinewithdignity: Unlocking the Mystery of Dementia & Dining as she shares practical ideas that you can put in place to support the well-being of individuals living with dementia and their care partners.

After listening to the Podcast, click here to sign up to join us on Tuesday, August 24 at 1PM EDT for a virtual learning circle as we explore the topic further with Toni.

Toni Fisk has been engaged in the food and hospitality industry for over 35 years, her professional career encompassing Walt Disney World/EPCOT Center and Marriot Hotels before transitioning to Healthcare and Senior Living. Toni has always embraced the “Servant Leadership” model as she has ascended the ranks during her career; whether being a Server of Dining General Manager, Executive Chef or Operations Vice-President, she has always practiced inclusion, communication, and professionalism.

Toni’s daily operational engagement at Senior Living Communities across the US stoked a concern regarding the care, training and tools that were accessible to all the pillars of support services who are caring for elders, particularly those living with dementia. This as the foundation for her consulting firm, DinnerWEARhc, Inc.

Toni holds certifications as a Dietary Manager, Montessori Dementia Care Professional, Dementia Care Practitioner, Teepa Snow Positive Approach to Care Independent Trainer, and Second Wind Virtual Dementia Tour Trainer. She provides dementia education and training for family caregivers and residential community staff on topics related to enhancing dining activities.

Aug 12, 202130:02
Listen, Learn, Explore Episode 10: Happily Ever Older: Revolutionary Approaches to Long-Term Care
Jul 27, 202137:54
Listen, Learn, Explore Episode #9: Operationalizing Dignity
Jul 12, 202125:13
Listen, Learn, Explore Episode 8: Dignity & Respect - Are Our Aging Parents Getting What They Deserve?
Jun 09, 202135:04
Listen, Learn, Explore Episode 7: Living in A Dementia Unit - A View From the Inside
May 19, 202121:21
Listen, Look, Learn Episode 6: Specialized Seating for Residents and Caregivers: Why Chairs Designed for Use by Older Adults Need to Swivel, Turn, and Roll!
May 04, 202134:20
Listen, Learn, Explore Episode #5: A Toolkit To Help State Policymakers Promote Person-Centered Care
Apr 13, 202111:02
Listen, Learn, Explore Episode 4: Spring is Here - Time to Reconnect with Mother Nature
Mar 30, 202143:30
Listen, Learn, Explore Episode 3: Urinary Incontinence - No, We’re not Kidding, Let's Talk about It!
Mar 02, 202151:35
Listen, Look, Learn Episode 2: Do You Know...Your Residents? with Dr. Lynn McNicoll, M.D.
Feb 17, 202132:09
Listen, Look, Learn Episode 1: Did You Know...? with Dr. Stefan Gravenstein, M.D.
Jan 19, 202138:54