Preparing Staff and Volunteers for Working with the Dementia

PopulationStephen Vozzella BA ACC

Emeritus Pikesville Memory Care Director

Slides are available at

• http://www.slideshare.net/StephenVozzellaSlides

Question

• Is there anything specific you want to go back to work with from this session?

Description of presentation:

• This session will provide the participants with tools to use when educating staff and volunteers on the topic of working with dementia. The presenter will examine the type of learners you are working with, review different ways to present materials and then walk the participants through some examples of training programs.

Objectives

• 1. Describe the types of learners that you will be teaching.

• 2. Identify in-service techniques that are successful.

• 3. Implement a basic training program for volunteers that will prepare them for the dementia population.

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3 Styles Of An Adult Learner

• Visual - Learning by seeing• Auditory – Learning by listening• Kinesthetic – Learning by doing

• Goal for the presenter is to include all 3 styles in presentation

• http://www.ldpride.net/learning-style-test.html

What do you want your staff to know?

• Look at job description• Are there parts of the job description are they not

meeting?• What could they improve upon?• Practice difficult situations• What are the staff persons goals for the coming

review period?• What does the employee want to learn?• What are the goals of the department?

Job Description/Possible Topics

• Assessments • Planning - entertainers• Leading programs – group vs. individual• Documenting – activities, MDS, evaluations – what else• Communication• Supplies• Budget• Supervising• What else????

Leading Programs

• This is an area we should all be looking at this is our “bread and butter”

• Create checklist of goals for leaders• Use this to review• Use this to build abilities• Use this to interview

Training Plan - Department

• Look at the staff and what areas you have identified• Create a plan for each employee• Look at the Pillars of your program• Survey your department what do they want to learn

about • Communicate plan with supervisor and HR – utilize

company training programs• Create a monthly training plan • Leave room for impromptu training

Maximize Learning Opportunities

• Learning Objectives• Descriptions of training• Keep it short, make it fun! – create on the spot

training – can help with issues!• Pre and Post Tests• Why is it important you have this training?• Stimulate the adult learner• Allow for evaluations• Attempt to have different presenters

Switch gears discuss leading a class

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It Is Your Turn To Present …..

• Learning objectives – learning objectives should guide the process – Define, list, describe, implement

• Then come up with a title• Beginning and an ending• Know the topic– Do not expect to be able to “snow” the

participants – guest speaker??

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Have Ground Rules

• Set the tone• Bathrooms and breaks• Questions and answers• When to speak when not to speak• Anything else???

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The Day Of The Presentation

• Get there early and stay late!! • Be accessible• Watch what you drink• The night before avoid a meal that maybe

cause you to have an upset stomach• If your presentation is right after a meal bring

mints

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Review The Agenda

• Pay close attention to time• Stick to your plan• Include handouts – Do you need every slide

on the handout?• Adult learners need to know what the plan is

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Be Ready To Introduce Yourself

• Keep it simple but highlight your best qualities• Highlight your professional achievements

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Ice Breaker

• How to break the ice?• Trainers Warehouse – resource for ideas• Try your creativity – that is an activity

specialists strength

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Tools

• Laser pointer• Toys• Flip chart• Any others???

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PowerPoint Tips

• Take a class• Use the notes feature if you need a script

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Do Not Go Crazy With

• Color – use color that is easy to read• Make your backgrounds and font able to read• Try to stay above size 24 font

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Do Not Over Load Your Slide With

• Lots of information• Make sure you cover each bullet point on your

slide• Participants do not like it when you skip over a

point

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Learn Where The B Button Is

• Press the b or w button is• Everyone will focus on you• Make your point• Take a class on PowerPoint!

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Don’t Overuse PowerPoint

• Keep the clicking to a minimum

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Use Photos Or Videos Instead

• Of clip art• Make sure cartoon is not going to offend

anyone• If you can use company logo or copyright

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The Participants

• Stand in front of the sleeper• Do not let a participant dominate the room• Lets discuss this at the break• This is a topic for another class• Can you give me your e-mail address and I will get

back to you.• Be a good listener• Observe the body language of the participants• Never give presentation near ocean!

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Teaching Techniques

• Lecture• Experiential exercise• Panel presentation• Question and answers• Case study• Pre test, post test

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Reward Participation

• Candy• Prizes• Use your creativity

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Practice, Practice, Practice

• If you can find someone to listen or read your presentation, absolutely do this

• Check for spelling, grammar, consistency of font

• Practice your presentation out loud• Use a clock• Avoid um, uh……

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Secret Of The Presentation

• If you forget to talk to talk about a certain point don’t worry about it no one will know

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Presentation Tip

• Do not make the presentation all about you!!

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During Questions

• Repeat the question• If it is a long question take notes, break it into

sections• Summarize the questions

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Resources

• www.trainerswarehouse.com - Trainers Warehouse• www.slideshare.net – free slide sharing site• www.ldpride.net – 2 minute learner test

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At The End

• Make sure you thank the participants for their time

• Give time for questions• Pay close attention to time, do not keep

people over – participants stop paying attention – do not speak near ocean – no one will pay attention

• Leave time for evaluation

Lets switch gears one last time!

Volunteers

• Different based on junior/senior• Keep it simple

Volunteer Orientation

• Walking orientation keep it moving• Required information- fire safety, infection

control, etc.. • The basics of dementia• Focus on the positive – show volunteers what

residents can do!• Create special training depending on what

their job is going to be

Is Dementia a Disease?

• Dementia is a syndrome which is a set of symptoms

What is the most common form of dementia?

• Alzheimer’s• Vascular Dementia• Parkinson's Disease• Dementia with Lewy Bodys• Front Temporal Dementia• NPH• Pick’s Disease

Alzheimer’s Disease

Demonstrate the breakdown

• Need some volunteers• You do not need to speak• You will be passing a ball to one another

Vascular Dementia

The 4 A’s

• Amnesia• Aphasia• Apraxia• Agnosia

Amnesia

• Memory loss• Short Term Memory Loss• Long Term Memory Loss

• Residents may benefit from 20’s, 30’s, 40’s, 50’s - long term memory

• Fortunately you can re use material

Aphasia

• Receptive = has difficulty receiving messages• Expressive = has difficulty sending the

message

• Utilize short and simple statements• Utilize non-verbal communication• Prepare to repeat

Apraxia

• It is the inability to carry out purposeful movements

• For severely impaired we must try interventions even though response may be limited

• Utilize visual objects• Extra Patience needed = to allow the person

time

Agnosia

• The inability to recognize objects, people, sounds, shapes

• Try to use familiar items• Go where the person is• Mirror there comments• Do not correct

Focus on Communication

• Your examples are right in your program– What do you do when a resident says I gotta go

home?– What do you do when a resident says you stole

my belt!– What do you do when a resident says can you

help me out of this chair?– I have to go to the bathroom!

On going Volunteer Training

• This is a challenge• Survey volunteers• Do on the spot in-servicing• Invite to existing training if possible• Train for specific issues – keep it short

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The End• Thanks for

attending • Any

questions??• Enjoy the

Boards!!!