Healthcare & Professional Training
Offering workshops and continued education for healthcare & professional organizations, including long term care communities, home care, first responders, and hospitals.
Educational content provided by Positive Approach to Care® is used with permission and based on the GEMS® state model, philosophy, and approach to care created and developed by Positive Approach, LLC. Teepasnow.com
Normal Aging/Not Normal Aging
• Teach learners how to distinguish the differences between the normal aging process and signs that may indicate not normal aging due to cognitive decline
• Discussion as to what areas of the brain are seeing changes and why
• Explore new strategies related to connecting and communication techniques specific to each person living with dementia
Positive Physical Approach™ and Hand Under Hand™
• Exploring the approach of “care partnering” vs. caregiving “doing “with” a person living with dementia vs. “doing to”
• Introducing the Positive Physical Approach ™ technique as an effective form of greeting and communication
• Teaching Hand under Hand ™ technique as a tool to create positive connection and discuss its benefits with challenging behaviors
• Demonstrate and role play both Positive Physical Approach ™ and Hand under Hand ™ techniques in practice settings
• Learn how to recognize signals of “unmet needs & growing distress” in person living with dementia
• How to respond in a way that reduces anxiety and improves quality of life using non-verbal communication
Using The GEMS ® State Model to Identify Cognition & Ability Level
• Discuss the importance of focusing on a person living with dementia’s preserved abilities rather than seeing what they can no longer do.
• Introduce the GEMS ® model and how each component corresponds to levels of cognition
• In any given moment abilities of a person can change, teaching the importance of how the right environment at interaction can make a person living with dementia can shine
• Identifying each GEM ® state by observing behavior, sensory awareness and their skill set
• Discuss how adjustments of expectations and increased communication will lead to an positive and supportive environment for both care partner and persons living with dementia
Improving Dementia Awareness for First Responders
• This program is designed to teach emergency personnel how to identify stressful and critical situations. Coaching personnel on techniques that reduce stress, encourage acceptance of assistance, and improve outcomes for both persons living with dementia, family members, and first responders
• Learn behaviors that are indicative of dementia and how they may require unique approaches and support
• Common problematic interactions and situations will be addressed, and early signs and symptoms of dementia will be introduced
• Identify effective strategies by using Positive Physical Approach™ technique and establish a connection through use of non-verbal and verbal communication