A newsletter for the employees of the Jewish Home and Care Center, Chai Point and Sarah Chudnow Community
Kulanu - All of Us. Together. Alzheimer’s Training Marlo Graceffa, Director of Human Resources & Organizational Development
March 2016 WELCOME New Team Members CP Elizangela Areizaga, Dietary Dejaun Bowie, Dietary Marc Anthony Flores, Dietary Eutemio Hernandez, Dietary Onye Nelson, Dietary SCC Danielle Bleicher, Physical Therapy Janell Brock, Physical Therapy Brittney Blue, Nursing Brittany Doran, Physical Therapy April Fischer, Speech Therapy Ikea Harris, Nursing Shanique Lowe, Hospitality Margaret Mahler, Occupational Therapy Kathleen Michel, Nursing Kiara Opps, Occupational Therapy Kimberly Paulson, Physical Therapy Donna Pearson, Hospitality JHCC Belen Alcaraz, Physical Therapy Katie Bartelak, Occupational Therapy Shykelia Coffee, Nursing Deanna Dodge, Physical Therapy Elicia Engel, Nursing Jennifer Fechter, Occupational Therapy Lena Gauss, Speech Therapy Bonnie Johnson, Physical Therapy Kari Knox, Physical Therapy Lalitha Kola, Physical Therapy Emily Longwell-Grice, Occupational Therapy Tamisha Portis, Nursing Lamar Rodgers, Dining Brandy Strohmeyer, Occupational Therapy Tiffany Tucker, Nursing Bridgette Unger, Physical Therapy Tiara Ward, Nursing Gina Williams, Occupational Therapy Brianna Zimmerman, Physical Therapy
In January the Organization started a new monthly learning initiative that every employee will have the opportunity to take part in during 2016: Alzheimer’s training. When I first started working for this organization, much of the feedback was that employees needed more training to help and understand what residents go through just in their daily routines. When I asked my peers where a good place to start would be, the overwhelming response was, “Our employees need Alzheimer’s/dementia training.” Since July of 2015, the organizational development team has been working with Diane Baughn from the Alzheimer’s Association of Southeastern Wisconsin to get this training started. The dementia specialist training is an interactive program that demonstrates skills necessary for positive interaction with people with dementia. The training consists of role playing, case studies and experiential exercises. Following the 15-hour training course, each employee is given a certificate of completion for taking the course. Here are some things employees have to say about the training: • “Fun, innovative and involved.” • “I am excited to go to class every week to see what new techniques I will be taught.”
Diane Baughn from the Alzheimer’s Association explains the “thumb ball” activity.
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“The class is informative and I can go back to my floor and use it right away!” “The training works!”
We received the following from a not-yet-trained employee as she watched a colleague put her new skills to work. Here is what she wrote about it: “A dietary aide came up from the dementia training at lunchtime. She was doing her thing in the dining room when she observed a wellmeaning CNA attempting to get a resident get up to use the bathroom. The resident was refusing to get up and the CNA was concerned the resident was wet and they were in a bit of a dance; the CNA clearly had her agenda and the resident had hers – it was a battle of wills. The dietary aide could see the problem and suggested that the CNA take a time out. She then came over, got on her see “Kulanu,” on page 4
PERSONNELLY SPEAKING | March 2016 | 1