This year will be a record-breaking year for retirement in the United States. According to a recent report by Alliance for Lifetime Income, nearly 4.1 million Americans are expected to turn 65 every year through 2027. While many older adults dream of spending their later years living independently in their family home, that’s not often the case. In fact, someone turning age 65 today has nearly a 70 percent chance of needing some type of long-term care services and supports in their remaining years. Some senior living communities, like Maplewood Senior Living, are working to meet this rising demand by prioritizing ongoing staff training and education to ensure that residents receive top-tier care and services far into the future.
To help ensure the well-being of residents and maintain the highest standards of care, Maplewood caregivers are highly trained in dementia care. According to a study published in the Lancet Public Health, dementia cases are expected to triple worldwide—growing from 57 million in 2019 to 153 million in 2050. As more adults are expected to develop dementia, it’s critical that caregivers understand best practices for those with the disease. In fact, a study published in the National Library of Medicine found that older adults who were cared for by caregivers that had participated in training programs maintained functional ability and showed gains in quality of life and cognitive ability. In addition to these benefits, dementia training can provide a wide variety of emotional, physical and professional benefits for both the caregiver and the one receiving care:
One of the most important reasons Maplewood staff undergo dementia training is to ensure the safety of our residents. Older adults often have complex medical needs that include a wide range of symptoms and chronic conditions including memory issues, problems with mobility, and cognitive impairments. Proper training allows caregivers and staff to better manage dementia behaviors, respond to emergencies efficiently and identify signs of physical and mental decline.
Providing high quality care is one of our cornerstones at Maplewood Senior Living. Our expertly trained staff provide residents with individualized care, which helps improve their overall health outcomes. Our staff are highly trained in geriatric care which touches on issues like medication management, communication skills, and fall prevention strategies.
Ongoing training allows our staff to continually improve their skills and knowledge in senior care. Continuing education gives staff the opportunity for professional development and adapt to new caregiving techniques, ensuring that residents receive the highest standard of care.
Dementia doesn’t only impact the person with the disease; it also has significant impact on close friends and family members. Our training program gives staff the opportunity to pass on tools, resources and caregiving techniques to family members, allowing them to better care for and communicate with their loved ones.
Caring for someone with dementia can be emotionally and physically taxing, especially for caregivers new to the industry. Our robust training program emphasizes the importance of building a network of support and ways to care for the caregiver. Caregivers are encouraged to connect with support groups and receive practical advice and ways to protect themselves while managing their caregiving responsibilities.
Our staff serve residents of different cultures, backgrounds and religious preferences. Our training programs help staff understand and respect cultural backgrounds and values and implement any needs or desires into their care plan. Ethics training also ensures staff members adhere to ethical standards when providing care for residents and communicating with their family members. Our training program, Compassionate Connections, touches on the importance of confidentiality, respecting autonomy and providing individualized care that respects the wishes of each resident.
There are many misconceptions regarding dementia and those who are living with the disease. Providing patient-centered training allows our staff to truly understand dementia and gives them the tools they need to properly engage with residents, reducing the risk of isolation and discrimination. Our staff actively engage residents in activities they enjoy, improving their quality of life.
While Maplewood Senior Living prides itself on offering the very best in senior living from customized care to concierge-style services, we believe what truly sets us apart from others is our dedicated and compassionate associates. We focus on attracting and retaining the very best people at all levels within our company because we know how important it is to have a family of associates you can count on. Here are some of the ways we do it:
At Maplewood Senior Living, we rely on our expertly trained staff to provide high-quality care and support to all residents. Our caregivers in assisted living and nursing carry many different responsibilities including assisting with activities of daily living, administering medications accurately and safely, recognizing signs of medical emergencies, offering companionship and emotional support, advocating for residents and family members, and coordinating social and health needs. Our trained caregivers play a vital role in the overall wellbeing of our residents. To ensure that each resident receives the care and support they need, our caregivers go through a rigorous training program named Compassionate Connections.
Compassionate Connections focuses on the various responsibilities of caregivers and how to properly care for and communicate with older adults who are living with dementia. Caregivers spend time understanding the differences between normal aging and dementia, how to effectively communicate with someone living with dementia, ways to navigate challenging behaviors and how to keep residents safe in their home. Through this coursework and training, caregivers acquire the skills needed to meet the diverse needs of our residents, including communication strategies, family dynamics and the effects caregiving can have on a person’s emotional and physical wellbeing.
For seniors and their families, knowing our staff is expertly trained in senior care and dementia instills a sense of confidence and trust that is invaluable. At Maplewood Senior Living, our staff undergoes continuing education efforts, ensuring that our standards exceed expectations, and each resident receives the care, support, and companionship they need to live long and healthy lives. To learn more about our offerings and education efforts, please give us a call. We’d love to hear from you.
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