Hand in Hand

This information was provided in an earlier post, but what I alluded to is SO important, I believe, that I want to share it again -- with a special focus on our many convent retirement settings which, because they are not licensed, do not have the same easy access to information from CMS.

I want to share some information with Sisters and lay person who serve our Sistsers  about a marvelous resource, the "Hand in Hand Toolkit". My copy of this resource arrived a couple of weeks ago. After reviewing it, I highly recommend it for use in your retirement setting. Added to this good news is that the resource is FREE to all, available upon request!

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has created this training tool that emphasizes person-centered care in the care of persons with dementia. There are six modules, each one hour in length, four of which relate to dementia and caring for residents living with dementia. The two remaining modules deal with the recognition and prevention of abuse.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (commonly called Obamacare or the federal healthcare law) mandates that licensed nursing homes provide CNAs regular training annually on caring for residents with dementia and on preventing abuse. Licensed or unlicensed, the information contained in this resource is vital information for caregivers and for those who act as family members to our Sisters in the retirement setting.

The two-inch thick manual provides step-by-step guidance (like a teacher’s manual!) for effective presentation of each of the six modules. Suggested teaching materials are also included and can be duplicated for each participant trainee.

There is a very helpful glossary and a rich resource section in the Toolkit.

Karen Schoeneman, a major player in the development of resident-centered regulations at CMS and Dr. Al Power, author of the outstanding book, DEMENTIA BEYOND DRUGS, each give a short audio-visual introduction, and overview on the first of the DVDs included.

This is how you request this FREE, EXCELLENT resource: go to this link:

http://www.cms-handinhandtoolkit.info/Downloads.aspx

(Enter the name of your convent or the name of your retirement center for “facility”.)

I encourage you to forward this letter to any appropriate parties, to request a copy of this valuable resource, and encourage your team in the retirement center to engage in the use of this excellent training. Our elder members as well as our devoted staff will be the beneficiaries.