AGE-u-cate in the News

Bedford, TX and Palatine, IL – AGE-u-cate Training Institute (www.AGEucate.com) is pleased to announce a collaboration with Elderwerks Educational Services (www.elderwerks.org) in opening it’s Chicago training center.

“We are excited to be working with Elderwerks, as we have a shared mission to improve the lives of older adults and their care partners,“ said Pam Brandon, AGE-u-cate’s President and Founder, “in addition, we are happy to have another centrally located training venue, in addition to Dallas/Fort Worth,  that is easily accessible from all areas of the country.”

Elderwerks Educational Services is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to provide older adults, seniors, and families information, referrals and guidance for senior living, home care and support services to help make appropriate decisions.  This includes education and training for professional and family members.  “Our team is thrilled to be working with AGE-u-cate, as we see education and training as essential to meeting the growing needs of professionals and families in caring well for our older adults,” commented Jennifer Prell, Elderwerks President and Founder.

About AGE-u-cate® Training Institute   
AGE-u-cate Training Institute develops and delivers innovative, research-based aging and dementia training programs for professional and family caregivers.  Training is delivered across the United States and internationally in long term care communities, hospitals, in-home, hospice, and community-based organizations as well as universities.

AGE-u-cate contact:  Michelle Terry, Marketing Manager; 817.857.1157 x 214 michelle.terry@ageucate.com

Elderwerks contact:  Jennifer Prell, President;  847-462-0885;  Jennifer.Prell@elderwerks.org

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Atlanta, GA & Bedford, TX – AGE-u-cate Training Institute (www.AGEucate.com) receives $147,419.00 in civil monetary penalty reinvestment funding by the Tennessee Department of Health in partnership with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to help 27 late adopter nursing homes in Tennessee to improve the care provided to residents with dementia.

The one-year project is titled “Compassionate Touch: A Practical, Non- pharmacological Approach to Ease Behavioral Symptoms; thereby, Supporting Nursing Homes’ Effort to Minimize the Use of Antipsychotic Medications for Dementia-related Behaviors.”

Compassionate Touch is an approach combining skilled touch and specialized communication shown to prevent behavioral expression in people with dementia and reduce job stress in care-partners.

The goal of this project is to equip staff working in 27 Tennessee nursing homes with practical skilled touch techniques to incorporate in daily care routines.

In addition, Compassionate Touch training will occur for Tennessee state surveyors, the Long Term Care Ombudsman and staff of the Tennessee Quality Improvement Organization.

“There is an urgent need to better support persons living with dementia and we look forward to working with Tennessee nursing homes,” says Pam Brandon, AGE-u-cate’s President and Founder. “This program offers simple, yet effective, tools for care partners to connect with, calm and comfort those they are caring for who are living with dementia.”

The Compassionate Touch program was developed by Ann Catlin, OTR, LMT, a leading expert in the field of skilled touch in eldercare and hospice. Drawing on 30 years’ experience, Ann has guided professionals and organization to rediscover ‘touch-as-medicine’ in person-centered dementia care.

About AGE-u-cate Training Institute

 AGE-u-cate Training Institute develops and delivers innovative, research-based aging and dementia training programs for professional and family caregivers. Training is delivered across the United States and internationally in long term care communities, hospitals, in-home, hospice, and community-based organizations as well as universities.

AGE-u-cate contact: Mary Petersen, Director of Client Engagement 817.857.1157 x 204, mary.petersen@AGEucate.com

TN Department of Health, Office of Patient Care Advocacy contact: Shaquallah Shanks, MPH, Director of the CMP Reinvestment Program 615.741.6823, shaquallah.shanks@tn.gov

Bedford, TX – AGE-u-cate Training Institute (www.AGEucate.com) is pleased to announce that Dr. Kathy Dreyer has joined the organization and will serve as Director of Strategic Projects.  Dr. Dreyer will direct and manage Civil Monetary Penalty Funds Projects, develop new Certification Programs, and support the strategic planning and development goals of the organization.

Holding a Ph.D. in Gerontology, Dr. Dreyer’s vast expertise in the aging field spans over two decades of obtaining and managing local, state and national grants, delivering aging wellness programs, intergenerational projects and programs designed for supporting and caring for persons living with dementia and their care partners.

“We are thrilled to have Dr. Dreyer’s passion and expertise in improving the lives of older adults, persons living with dementia and other chronic illnesses, and educating and supporting their care partners, “ said Pam Brandon, AGE-u-cate’s President and Founder. “Kathy will join our exceptional team of professionals who are dedicated to our mission of igniting change in this space.”

About AGE-u-cate Training Institute   

AGE-u-cate Training Institutedevelops and delivers innovative, research-based aging and dementia training programs for professional and family caregivers.  They are igniting change in eldercare communities, home care, hospice, community base organizations as well as universities and colleges with innovative, person-centered care programs.

AGE-u-cate contact:  Michelle Terry, Marketing Manager; 817.857.1157 x 214

817.857.1157 x 214 Michelle.Terry@AGEucate.com

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James L. West Center for Dementia Care launches collaboration with AGE-u-cate Training Institute to be the exclusive provider of Dementia Live® and Compassionate Touch® Training in North Texas areas

(Fort Worth, Texas) – James L. West Center for Dementia Care is pleased to announce an exclusive collaboration with AGE-u-cate® Training Institute, a leading provider of dementia programming created to transform attitudes and actions.

The collaboration provides the James L. West Center for Dementia Care– North Texas’ expert in dementia care – exclusive rights to provide AGE-u-cate® training for a defined 107 county area expanding from North Texas west to the panhandle and plains regions. The agreement provides an exclusive training area for the West Center and the opportunity for non-profit and for-profit healthcare organizations in the defined service area the ability to contract exclusively with James L. West for both the Dementia Live® and Compassionate Touch ® training programs.

With the goal of improving understanding of dementia and the quality of care provided to persons living with dementia related illnesses, the West Center is eager to build relationships with long-term care providers across the state.

Cheryl Harding, PhD, President/CEO of the James L. West Center, recognizes the collaboration’s potential. “Today there is an aging of the population and an ever increasing number of Americans facing a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. It’s critical that we prepare today’s and tomorrow’s health care professionals with soft skills and training that will more completely prepare them to meet the needs of the aging population and to face the challenges of dementia related illnesses.”
“Aging care is more and more becoming about dementia care, and stakeholders must collaborate to reach the needs of providers serving older adults,” said Pam Brandon President and Founder of AGE-u-cate® Training Institute. “We are thrilled to contract with the James L. West Center for Dementia Care to be our primary service provider in these counties, as our organizations have closely aligned missions and similarly high standards.”

Long-term care communities, hospitals, home care, hospice providers and other organizations both in the US and internationally can use the AGE-u-cate’s Dementia Live® and Compassionate Touch® for staff training and family education. To learn more and to calendar training contact Jaime Cobb, VP of Dementia and Caregiver Education at (817) 877-1199 ext. 199.

About AGE-u-cate® Training Institute
AGE-u-cate® Training Institute develops and delivers innovative, research-based aging and dementia training programs for professional and family caregivers. Training is delivered across the United States and internationally in long term care communities, hospitals, in-home, hospice, and community-based organizations as well as universities.

Contact: Mary Petersen, Manager of Strategic Projects 817.857.1157 x 204;
mary.petersen@ageucate.com

About James L. West Center
The West Center, a not-for-profit entity, has served those living with many types of dementia and their families, for the past 26 years. A major renovation completed two years ago implemented the results of the center’s ongoing evidenced based best practices. In addition to the 100 full-time residents, the West Center provides an extensive caregiver education program, respite care and a senior adult day program.

The James L. West Center is a Alzheimer’s certified nursing center that serves nearly 100 full-time residents and thousands more through respite, the senior adult day program and community outreach programs.

Contact: Jaime Cobb, VP of Dementia and Caregiver Education
817-877-1199 ext. 199
jcobb@jameslwest.org

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Cobb County, GA ― An estimated 5.8 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease. By 2050, that number is expected to rise to nearly 14 million. With a rich background of working with seniors with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia, The Arbor Company will host a dementia awareness training for Cobb County first responders, July 15-19. This Dementia Live® event will make Cobb County the first and currently only county in the state of Georgia to train its first responders in dementia awareness and education.

Dementia Live® is an innovative program designed by a team of dementia, sensitivity and awareness, and professional development experts from the nationally recognized AGE-u-cate® Training Institute headquartered in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.

Using specialized gear within a safe, experiential setting, Dementia Live® gives participants a real-life simulation of what it’s like to live with dementia ― including sensory changes and cognitive impairment.

“By going through this hands-on and interactive experience, we want to help educate our first responders on how best to adapt their approach when interacting with someone who may be living with dementia,” says Laura Ellen Christian, senior vice president of engagement and dementia training at The Arbor Company. “Our hope is that they leave with a greater awareness and understanding of dementia.”

The Dementia Live® program is the newest tool in the powerful arena of sensitivity awareness training being used for the booming number of direct care staff, family caregivers, healthcare professionals, and college and university students.

“We are at the crossroads of understanding aging and dementia; this understanding is not an option but a necessity for every member of our society. It is a worldwide phenomenon affecting every level of our society,” states Pam Brandon, president and founder of the AGE-u-cate Training Institute. “We must equip those who are caring for and serving our aging population to better understand their challenges. We are living in a fast-aging world.”

The Arbor Company Dementia Live® experience will take place July 15-19, 2019 at the Cobb County Safety Village. First responders who wish to register for the event, should contact their supervisors.

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About The Arbor Company:

The Arbor Company is an Atlanta-based operator of more than 40 independent living, assisted living and memory care communities, serving seniors in 11 states. With more than 30 years of dedication and experience, The Arbor Company strives to deliver the highest quality care and service to residents and their families. The company’s innovative Engaged Lifestyle program creates meaningful moments through structured activity programs and spontaneous interactions, filling each day with the right balance of purpose and fun. More information about The Arbor Company is available at www.ArborCompany.com. 

About Dementia Live®:

Dementia Live® is an innovative program designed by a team of dementia, sensitivity and awareness, and professional development experts from the nationally recognized AGE-u-cate® Training Institute headquartered in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. Information about Dementia Live® and other training programs offered by AGE-u-cate® Training Institute is available at www.AGEucate.com.

St. Paul, MN  & Colleyville, TX – AGE-u-cate Training Institute (www.AGEucate.com)

TheMinnesota Department of Human Services(MN-DHS), through its Nursing Facility Rates and Policy (NFRP) Division and theCMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) have authorized the use of up to $ 250,000 in Civil Monetary Penalty (CMP) monies to help MinnesotaMedicaid-Certifiednursing facilities improve care to residents with dementia, by partnering with AGE-u-cate Training Institute.

The goal of thisproject is to implement a dementia training project for direct care and support staff to enhance the quality of life and/or quality of care for nursing facility residents with dementia.  The training will be provided by AGE-u-cate® Training Institute (ATI) through its Dementia Live® program.

Dementia Live® provides an interactive, experiential simulation program that promotes a unique “inside-out” perspective of cognitive and sensory impairment.

Selected nursing facilities may elect to receive training at one of two distinct participation levels.  Nursing facilities can access the Request for Proposals (RFP) and application at the online MN Nursing Facility Provider Portal, and applications must besubmittedbyJuly 1, 2019.

“There is an urgent need to better support persons living with dementia and we look forward to working with Minnesotanursing homes,” says Pam Brandon, AGE-u-cate’s President and Founder. “This program provides care partners witha deeper understanding and empathy for personsliving with dementia and empowers care partners with simpleand effective tools that can be put into care practicesimmediately.”

About AGE-u-cate Training Institute
AGE-u-cate Training Institute develops and delivers innovative, research-based aging and dementia training programs for professional and family caregivers.  Training is delivered across the United States and internationally in long term care communities, hospitals, in-home, hospice, and community-based organizations as well as universities.

AGE-u-cate contact:  Mary Petersen, Manager of Strategic Projects

817.857.1157 x 204;  mary.petersen@ageucate.com

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Chicago, IL & Colleyville, TX – AGE-u-cate Training Institute (www.AGEucate.com) has been awarded $687,904 in Civil Monetary Penalty funding by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to help 140 Ohio nursing homes improve care to residents with dementia.

The three-year project is titled “Compassionate Touch®: A Practical Approach to Ease Behavioral Symptoms”. This project will directly benefit nursing home residents by providing non-pharmacological strategies, i.e. skilled touch techniques and specialized communication, which will strike at the underlying causes of negative, behavioral expression in participating residents: improving their overall quality of life.

Compassionate Touchâis an approach combining skilled touch and specialized communication shown to prevent behavioral expression in people with dementia and reduce job stress in care-partners.

“There is an urgent need to better support persons living with dementia and we look forward to working with Ohio nursing homes,” says Pam Brandon, AGE-u-cate’s President and Founder. “This program offers simple, yet effective tools for care partners to connect with, calm and comfort those they are caring for who are living with dementia”.

The Compassionate Touch® program was developed by Ann Catlin, OTR, LMT, a leading expert in the field of skilled touch in eldercare and hospice. Drawing on 30 years’ experience, Ann has guided professionals and organizations to rediscover ‘touch-as-medicine’ in person-centered dementia care.

 About AGE-u-cate Training Institute   

 AGE-u-cate Training Institute develops and delivers innovative, research-based aging and dementia training programs for professional and family caregivers.  Training is delivered across the United States and internationally in long term care communities, hospitals, in-home, hospice, and community-based organizations as well as universities.

 

AGE-u-cate contact:  Mary Petersen, Manager of Strategic Projects817.857.1157 x 204;  mary.petersen@ageucate.com

 

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Chicago, IL & Colleyville, TX – AGE-u-cate Training Institute (www.AGEucate.com) has been awarded $760,189.00 in Civil Monetary Penalty funding by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to help 140 Ohio nursing homes improve care to residents with dementia.

The three-year project is to improve the quality of care and quality of life of long-stay nursing home residents in Ohio who have dementia or dementia-related conditions.  This will be achieved with Dementia Live®, an experiential learning program simulating cognitive and sensory impairments, giving participants a real-life experience of living with dementia.

Through the Dementia Live® program, participants are empowered with new tools for improved communication skills and care practices that can be implemented as they go about their work in the nursing home.  These improved communication skills and care practices will ultimately help decrease resident behavioral symptoms that arise from dementia and dementia related conditions and will help increase resident well-being.

“There is an urgent need to better support persons living with dementia and we look forward to working with Ohio nursing homes,” says Pam Brandon, AGE-u-cate’s President and Founder. “This program provides care partners with a deeper understanding and empathy for persons living with dementia and empowers care partners with simple and effective tools that can be put into care practices immediately.”

About AGE-u-cate Training Institute   

 AGE-u-cate Training Institute develops and delivers innovative, research-based aging and dementia training programs for professional and family caregivers.  Training is delivered across the United States and internationally in long term care communities, hospitals, in-home, hospice, and community-based organizations as well as universities.

 

AGE-u-cate contact:  Mary Petersen, Manager of Strategic Projects 817.857.1157 x 204;  mary.petersen@ageucate.com

 

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