August 21, 2014 VOLU M E 31 | I SS UE 8 | 5 0 ¢
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Preparing caregivers for Alzheimer’s disease Council finds absent regulation in dementia care among nurses By Amy Woodward
awoodward@colorado communitymedia.com Editor’s Note: This is the final installment of a four-part series exploring the challenges of Alzheimer’s disease in Jefferson County. Education in dementia care should be a key component for health care professionals as the projected increase in dementia means it will undoubtedly become a dominating disease in the next few decades. But federal regulation for personal care workers to be trained in dementia care is nonexistent, leaving states to define their own requirements, curriculum and training hours. In Colorado, training requirements are broad and in most cases lacking. Care facilities require health care professionals to receive training for dementia care, but state law does not prescribe a curriculum, or even a number of hours needed. Nor does it re-
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WHEAT RIDGE TRANSCRIPT (ISSN 1089-9197)
OFFICE: 722 Washington Ave, Unit 210 Golden, CO 80401 PHONE: 303-566-4100 A legal newspaper of general circulation in Jefferson County, Colorado, the Wheat Ridge Transcript is published weekly on Thursday by Mile High Newspapers, 722 Washington Ave, Unit 210, Golden, CO 80401. PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT GOLDEN, COLORADO. POSTMASTER: Send address change to: Wheat Ridge Transcript 722 Washington Ave, Unit 210 Golden, CO 80401 DEADLINES: Display: Fri. 11 a.m. Legal: Fri. 11 a.m. | Classified: Mon. 5 p.m. G ET SOCIAL WITH US
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STATISTICS ON LONG-TERM A well-documented shortage of long-term care providers exists; high turnover rates, large numbers of job vacancies and difficulties in recruiting new workers characterize the industry. It is predicted that insufficient training in Alzheimer’s and dementia care is one cause leading to these shortages as well as inadequate care in care facilities. The nationwide demand for workers in nursing and residential care facilities is expected to increase by 21 percent between 2008 and 2018. In addition, the need for home health care is expected to increase 46 percent. According to a 2008 survey done by the Colorado Health Institute for licensed practical nurses; only half of the LPN’s surveyed
quire nurses to receive specific dementia training prior to licensure — yet a reported 79 percent of licensed practical nurses working in long-term care facilities expressed an interest in furthering geriatric training and 77 percent in training for Alzheimer’s disease and care. “It’s a full system failure,” said Amelia Schafer, senior program manager at the Alzheimer’s Association’s Colorado Chapter. “They (health care professionals) are not getting the tools they need to meet expectations.” The findings come from the state’s Alzheimer’s Plan, submitted by the Colorado Alzheimer’s Coordinating Council to the governor in 2010. It identified gaps in how the state handles care services for persons living with Alzheimer’s and dementia. A primary issue was the absence of dementia care training for health care professionals. “There are few Alzheimer’s and dementia care training requirements for health care professionals, paraprofessionals, and facilities and agencies serving consumers with Alzheimer’s disease in Colorado,” the report said.
Maria Vengas, left, gets ready to dance with a volunteer nursing student during a music and dance session at the Senior Resource Center in Wheat Ridge. Photo by Amy Woodward After the report’s release, directors at the state Alzheimer’s Association moved quickly to create a program that recognizes organizations that train staff in dementia care. The program, called Leaders in Dementia Care, is voluntary but offers free curriculum and training resources. Since its launch two years ago, the program recognizes 70 organizations or 5,000 health care professionals. It’s a small feat but one the association continues to market as a way to incentivize facilities to take part in the program as awareness of educational gaps for health care workers grows. “We consider it successful,” Schafer said but noted that until legislators start looking into regulations in the workforce, it will be up to consumers to drive the program’s mission, she said. Dr. Mike Wasserman, a geriatrician, sat on the Colorado Alzheimer’s Coordinating Council
in 2010. He recently relocated to southern California after working at various clinics around the Denver area. After treating seniors for 30 years, Wasserman is aware of the educational flaws presented to nurses and social workers in senior care. “The frustrating part of this is, it is so obvious and everyone knows it and yet we’re not really doing anything about it,” Wasserman said. “You get really good people who come up with really good recommendations and then nothing ever happens -that’s the shame.” He supports the Alzheimer’s Association’s Leaders in Dementia Care initiative and said community awareness and education, as well as care giver preparation are the best solutions to the growing demand for dementia care. “People who live in assisted living are the most vulnerable members of our society,” Wasserman said. “I think the most
important thing we can do is to allow for resources to be available or to direct people toward those resources.” Family Caregivers Caring for patients with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia isn’t always relegated to health care professionals. Often, that care falls to family members who don’t have the training or support for the challenges the illness brings. The lack of a support net can lead to cases of elder abuse that range from neglect to suicidal attempts by caregivers, law enforcement and care agencies say. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 80 percent of Alzheimer’s and dementia care is in the home, and 61 percent of caregivers report stress rated high or very high because of financial strain, depression, and tension in Disease continues on Page 2
Staying safe: Annual fair brings experts, tips to public By Amy Woodward
awoodward@colorado communitymedia.com Fairs and festivals are plentiful this time of year, but not many of them are based on providing safety resources to the people who visit them. That is until this weekend when the sixth annual Safety Fair by the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office will bring together many of its numerous community partners on Saturday, Aug. 23, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Jeffco Fairgrounds. “This is really the most high profile, evident way of demonstrating the kind of ongoing collaboration that we have … with many partners in the community, all of which is designed to educate the public, warn the public about possible dangers in the community and, hopefully, prevent crime before it happens,” said Jefferson County District Attorney
Pete Weir. “This is something for everyone from the earliest of our youngsters to some of our valued senior citizens.” It’s one of the county’s anticipated events, drawing in 4,000 people who take advantage of the opportunity to drop off documents for shredding while recycling old electronics and expired prescription medication. But there are more services to be found, offered by more than 80 vendors representing a range of services and information on health care, mental health, pet care and veteran and senior services. “Every booth has experts to talk to,” said Cary Johnson, director of crime prevention and community outreach coordinator for the Jeffco DA’s office. Children’s activities include the popular Bike Rodeo, where children can get a free helmet and learn safe riding tips from local police departments. The Golden Optimists Club, which
has a program to repair used bikes to bring the best out in kids, donated a dozen bikes for the rodeo. “We will gladly provide bicycles for this year’s Safety Fair,” said Howard Bagdad, president of the Golden Optimists Club. “The bicycles may be used and returned or donated to any child who wants a bicycle.” A Child I.D. Kit, which includes photos and fingerprints, is available to help families maintain up-to-date information on their child. The Safety Fair is free, and free shuttles are available from the parking lot by the Senior Resource Center. Johnson said people aren’t likely to find another seasonal fair that offers a similar spread of services designed for the betterment of a community. “They will not find as much safety, wellness and health information all in one spot,” Johnson said.
2014 CARNATION FEST Music, laughter and fireworks helped punctuate the 2014 Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival last weekend. The annual event, celebrating the flower-growing heritage of the community, was held in Anderson Park, and featured a parade, fireworks, and a wide variety of musical entertainment. was sponsored by the city, along with Bellco, Wal-Mart, Farmers Insurance, Kaiser Permanente, and FirstBank. Those still looking to participate in some of the festivities can attend a performance of the Zoppé Italian Circus, which is performing until Aug. 24. More information about the circus is available at www.zoppecolorado.com.