Geriatric Mental Health and Dementia Training
Geriatric Mental Health and Dementia training program is developed in conjunction with the registered nursing team of North Shore Medical Center Union Hospital in Lynn, MA for the clinical team of Right at Home Somerville.
The eight-hour interactive training program covers topics including the needs of patients with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, as well as other mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. Through role plays, presentation, and lectures; caregivers are equipped with skills and knowledge to meet the special care needs of patients and seniors with various mental health conditions.
Training modules:
- Understanding Alzheimer’s
- Rehabilitation Therapy
- Knowing and Understanding the Individual
- Communication Skills
- Physical Environment
- Approach to Personal Care
- Activity and Purposeful Engagement
- Behavior as Communication
- Understanding Working with Families
Mental Health Geriatric Psychology and Supportive Aide Training
Aging is not easy. As we advance in age, we may face challenges including a decline in health, physical and mental capabilities; loss of family, friends, and social contacts; or even financial worries.
While caregivers are trained to provide various personal care and paraprofessional services based on a specific care plan; supportive aides cater to the personal, as well as behavioral and emotional needs of patients at the comfort of their own homes.
Senior home care services for disabled and older adults aim at helping them to restore their well-being for as much as possible. Right at Home Somerville tailors custom care plans that focus on the strengths of our clients, assisting them to overcome everyday difficulties. Our CareTeam members dedicate themselves to helping clients preserve independence, autonomy; boosting their self-esteem and quality of life.
Focusing on Individual Strengths
- Home care should be a whole person experience. Communication is important; caregivers should get a sense of the strengths, passions and opinions of the clients by encouraging them to reminisce their youth.
- Communication with family members is also vital to understanding the clients; the process can also help family members to remember the clients as whole person, rather than patients defined by a disease or illness.
- Besides the health and senior care needs of clients, their quality of life is equally important. Consider what gives them pleasure, fulfilment, something to look forward to; and help them experience it again.
- Put yourself in the shoes of the older person—how would these symptoms make you feel? Would you be frightened, worried? How would you want to be treated?
- Take time to build trust, and rapport with each visit. At each visit, remind the person who you are and what you talked about last time.
Caregivers will receive a certification and the title of “Supportive Mental Health Home Care Aide” upon completion of the program. They will also have a pin that says they are ready to serve clients and families at wherever they call home.