Positive Approach to Care® (PAC) Workshops for
family care partners
This six-part workshop is designed to help participants:
Discover an appreciation for what happens when a brain is changing due to some form of dementia rather than normal aging or high stress lifestyles. By understanding what happens to the brain in development and in dementia, we can begin to understand not only what is lost, but what is retained, to provide that ‘just right’ support
- Be introduced to the GEMS® State model of the progression of dementia, and how we can adapt our approach to create positive relationships
- Practice focusing on the adaptation of identifying and offering visual, verbal, and touch cues to approach and connect with a person living in any state of dementia through the Positive Physical Approach®
- Learn how we as care partners can become advocates for people as relationships and tasks of daily living are impacted
Included Objectives:
-
-
- Part 1: What is Dementia, Really?
- Part 2: What Brain Changes and Shifts in Ability are Noticed When Dementia Happens?
- Part 3: Looking at Progression and Seeing More than Loss: The GEMS® State Model
- Part 4: The GEMS® State Model: In the Right Setting with the Right Care, all GEMS Can Shine
- Part 5: New Skills for Helping and Supporting
- Part 6: Being an Advocate and Building a Support Team
-
Sign up for all 6 or just the ones you want.
Positive Approach to Care® (PAC) Approved Workshop
With Rayna Neises
This workshop helps learners understand and recognize the differences in normal and not normal aging. The learner will develop better observational skills to recognize and intervene effectively when behavioral challenges occur. Learners will also develop new skills related to approach, cueing, and the ability to connect with people affected by dementia. The workshop will also address typical changes that happen in the early, middle, and late stages of the condition including the final care concerns.
Workshop Objectives:
-
Compare and contrast normal aging versus not normal aging related to various cognitive functions.
- Describe the five sensory input and processing systems, highlighting the dominant role of vision, and the major differences between protective and discriminating sensation in each.
- Discuss the impact of changing sensory awareness and processing as dementia progresses.
This workshop helps learners understand the GEMS® Model developed by Teepa Snow. This model is based on the Allen cognitive scale and focuses on what is retained for people living with dementia instead of only focusing on what is lost. In identifying retained skills and abilities, learners will be able to provide the right level of support and assistance in care with people in different ability states. By understanding GEMS® States, we can learn to provide the best care and setting so that everyone can shine.
Workshop Objectives:
-
Discuss the value and importance of seeing people living with dementia as having retained abilities, value, and benefiting from the right support and care to optimize performance and quality of life
- Identify six GEMS® States – highlighting retained abilities for each GEMS® State
- Compare and contrast 6 states of cognitive function and ability as GEMS® States
- Practice ways to help the person being cared for feel productive and valued
This workshop helps learners understand how to adapt how we interact when the other person’s brain is changing. This workshop will include explanations of how the brain is changing when someone is living with dementia and what care partners can do to be supportive.
Learners will practice the use of Positive Physical Approach™(PPA) and Hand-under-Hand®, developed by Teepa Snow. Both techniques are based in building relationships and doing with people instead of to people.
Workshop Objectives:
-
Describe changes in visual processing
- Compare and contrast traditional social greeting and communication efforts with PPA as it relates to reactions and responses from the person living with dementia.
- Demonstrate PPA in simulated situations
- Describe the purpose and value of using the Hand-under-Hand® technique with people living with dementia.
- Demonstrate Hand-under-Hand® to promote mobility and assistance with ADLs
Educational content provided by Positive Approach® is used with permission and based on the GEMS® and the techniques, strategies, and overall approach to care created and developed by Positive Approach, LLC. www.teepasnow.com.
PAC Certified Independent Trainers, Consultants and Engagement Leaders are not employees of Positive Approach, LLC. The opinions and views expressed by PAC Certified Independent Trainers, Consultants, and Engagement Leaders do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of Positive Approach, LLC or any of its employees. Positive Approach, LLC is not liable for any actions by PAC Certified Independent Trainers, Consultants, and Engagement Leaders.
Rayna Neises understands the joys and challenges that come from a season of caring. She helped care for both of her parents during their separate battles with Alzheimer’s over a thirty-year span. She is able to look back on those days now with no regrets – and she wishes the same for every woman caring for aging parents.
To help others through this challenging season of life, Rayna has written No Regrets: Hope for Your Caregiving Season, a book filled with her own heart-warming stories and practical suggestions for journeying through a caregiving season. Rayna is an ICF Associate Certified Coach with certifications in both Life and Leadership Coaching from the Professional Christian Coaching Institute.
She is prepared to help you through your own season of caring. Learn more at ASeasonOfCaring.com and connect with Rayna on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
Support
Gathering with others can provide the support you didn’t even realize you need.
Encouragement
Resources
Sifting through all the information out there can be overwhelming. Receive just what you need from Rayna.