AGEucate Training Institute, Igniting Change

Reading2Connect® is a resident-directed, Montessori-based program, providing staff training and specialized reading materials to engage residents of all abilities. In any care community, the Reading2Connect® Program sparks residents’ imaginations, personal stories, laughter, an interest in learning, and much more. This program empowers residents, fostering enthusiastic participation, independence, and social connections.

The Reading2Connect® books compensate for the challenges of individuals living with cognitive changes. While accessible and highly readable, our specialized books retain content integrity and rich vocabulary, reflecting the interests, strengths, and life experiences of older adults. These books provide the backdrop and support for personal expression and genuine conversation.

Benefits:

An array of resident-led, age-appropriate and ability-appropriate activities
Increased staff commitment and job satisfaction
Effective nonpharmacologic responses
Positive family reporting when seeing their loved ones actively engaged and having fun
Census-builder
NCCAP CE Approval

Reading2Connect Coach Training

Upon successful completion of the three hour e-learning training course, participant is designated as a Reading2Connect® Certified Coach and as such, may share techniques with other professionals and families, have access to an online portal of coach resources, receive quarterly newsletters and be invited to special Coach Connect quarterly learning webinars.

Participants will receive a comprehensive training manual and access to all online resources.

Reading2Connect® Certified Community Training:

$575 for up to 3 coach trainings. At least one Materials Option package must be purchased with training. See Program Material options here.
Additional Coaches are $225 each
Certification Renewal - $295 per year for one community which includes: one free coach training, continued designation, access to online portal, educational newsletters, online coach resources, and Coach Connect webinars
Corporate Discounts available - please call Heidi Benard at 905-991-3930 - or Email Heidi Benard

This course, when completed online, live, or interactive, is approved for 3 NCCAP CE hours.
NCCAP Approval # NCCAP500887-21

"QUOTES"

The Reading2Connect® program helps everyone with all different cognitive issues be able to connect. People with lower capabilities are able to read the Reading2Connect® books. Higher functioning residents read to others conducting their own reading discussion groups. These books truly are for all to enjoy!

—Brenda Addison, Activity Director

Magic happens when we pull together a Reading2Connect® group. These groups incorporate the eight dimensions of wellness -- it doesn’t get much better than that!

—Laurie Lynch-Young, Recreation Director

Seeing a group of residents reading to each other, you see them sharing joy and passion. You see the level of happiness brought forth by this program. It’s made all of our lives here that much richer.

—Kathleen Dess, Executive Director

As they age, most people notice diminishing hearing, vision, mobility, and memory. Interest in daily life wanes. Without intervention, life becomes closer to existence than pleasure. The Reading2Connect® books provide a method to slow this process. For those who feel reading has become too difficult, the startling white pages with the black bold letters bring back the ability to enjoy reading again. Each sentence is pretty much a paragraph and elicits conversation on its own. Using Susan’s books, residents share the most wonderful memories with such joy in the telling. Laughter and wonder abound. Easy to implement, Susan’s program fills a void in the lives of some of our most vulnerable senior citizens. It is a learning experience and so much fun!

—Judith Simmons, senior volunteer