Creative Expression: Applying Person Directed Principles to Activities
Anne Basting
Thursday, August 3
1:15pm-2:45pm

Translating person directedness into how staff and residents live their everyday lives can be a real challenge. There are certain approaches to engaging in activities that echo the core concepts of person-directed care. For both residents and staff, these activities can encourage self expression, foster social networks, nurture team building, and catalyze personal growth, even among those in the late stages of dementia. The session includes clips of activities in action and the impact of these activities. It will also include some basic exercises to give participants a first hand feel of creative expression in a person-directed environment.

Moving from Resident Activities to Life Affirming, Esteem Boosting Engagements
Stephen Winner
Friday, August 4
8:00am-9:30am

In many long-term-care settings for people with dementia, residents get few opportunities for meaningful choice and self expression. Too many activity programs rely upon staff or visitors to be in the entertainment business. This dynamic session is designed to teach individuals who support resident activities to become facilitators of resident choice and self-expression. Come and experience first hand the power of this approach to resident activities.

The Words We Use: A Critical Indicator of Cultural Norms
Debbie Van Straten & Tom Zwicker
Friday, August 4
8:00am-9:30am

Words. When entering any health care profession we are taught an entirely new language. This language is reflective of the artifacts, norms and values present in the systems in which we work. Language forms our reality, and therefore in any culture change effort it is both possible and necessary to change not only what we do, but what we say. This session will explore how to create a common language based on a mission that every member of the community understands and speaks.

Story Sharing: Enriching Nurse Aide-Resident Relationships
Diane Heliker
Friday, August 4
11:00am-12:30pm

This session will involve attendees in the experience of story sharing. Drawing upon lessons learned from a study of CNAs and the residents they support, participants will learn how story sharing improved the reciprocal, empathetic, and caring behaviors of these individuals. Story sharing is a way to come to know and connect with each other, to discover commonalities, and respect differences. Narratives of nurse aides and the residents for whom they care will be presented along with interpretations that reveal themes such as: restoring the reciprocity of care, recreating home and family, and creating community.

Montessori Methods: Promoting Wellbeing At All Ages
Karen Love
Friday, August 4
2:00pm-3:30pm

As older Adults experience physical and mental decline, Montessori based methods of programming will help maintain skills for a longer period of time and build on skills such as reading learned in early childhood. Montessori helps to promote interdependence and freedom through the utilization of what feels comfortable and successful to the person. These methods can be applied to all individuals, even those with severe cognitive and physical decline. The approach is designed to create a successful environment by promoting relationships, skills and an overall feeling of wellbeing. Join us as we explore how Montessori methods can enhance your culture change efforts in any setting.