CLPNA THINK TANK

challenges attendees

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he College of Licensed Practical Nurses of Alberta believes everyone in the health system needs to be looking forward and working together to create a high quality, responsive health system that meets the challenges of the next 15 or more years. One of the biggest challenges will be caring for the physical and mental health needs of the growing number of seniors.

On October 23, the CLPNA hosted its second annual Think Tank. The Think Tank was part of the CLPNA’s commitment to ensuring the LPN profession is equipped with the skills of tomorrow. It built on the successful 2013 Think Tank, Planning for the Future, which looked at the impact of changing demographics, social trends and technology on LPNs. The Think Tank featured thoughtleaders from Europe, Canada, and Alberta. These innovators in the field of seniors care and dementia spoke about new models of care, healthy policy and best practices in dementia and seniors care. Those in attendance were challenged to ask themselves, “What do I want when I’m old or have dementia?” What they heard is that the key is leading from the heart and being unafraid to be human.

OVERVIEW Minister of Health Stephen Mandel brought greetings from the province and spoke about the challenges of building infrastructure and meeting the needs of people. Buildings are just buildings, though, he said, and we need to ensure that we have enough people to provide compassionate care.

We need to be innovative and strategic together if we are to meet the needs of the people we care for and support. That means being increasingly aware of how best to address the impact of chronic disease, mental illness, seniors care, dementia, cultural competence, collaborative practice and leadership.

INNOVATIONS IN DEMENTIA AND PUBLIC POLICY Dr. David Sheard, founder of Dementia Matters in the United Kingdom, explained that dementia won’t kill your soul, but the institutionalization of care will. He challenged nurses to change their approach – to be a person first and a nurse second. Far from being a message of blame, Sheard acknowledged that people go into nursing with heart and get stuck with policy, standards and surroundings that kill the spirit. Participants also heard from experts from Denmark and the Netherlands on the impact of policy and care structures. Eva Pedersen is with the Ministry of Social Affairs in Denmark. Public policy is an important part of changing the approach to caring for the elderly, she explained. The focus is on supporting people in their own homes. Core values in care are a respect for dissimilarity and dignity. In another innovative approach to care, Eloy van Hal, Facility Manager of The Dementia Village (De Hogeweyk), explained how they have established a community of care. The Dementia Village is as

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care | volume 28 issue 4