THE PARKINSON’S PERSPECTIVE Newsletter Volume 37, Issue 3
MAY/JUNE 2017
Serving OR and S. WA
PROFESSIONAL CAREGIVER TRAINING By Libby Kennard, MA, CMC
IN HEALTHCARE EDUCATION, WE KNOW THERE IS VERY LITTLE TIME FOCUSED ON DISEASE-SPECIFIC CARE. ONE NURSE WE KNOW REPORTED AN RN TYPICALLY RECEIVES ONLY AN HOUR OF EDUCATION ABOUT PD! Without question, Parkinson’s disease presents some unique challenges in regard to motor fluctuations, vast disparities from one person to the next, extremely complicated medication regimens and a host of non-motor symptoms. In response to requests from families concerned about quality of care and with support of members of the Long Term Care profession, PRO created a long term care training program for professional caregivers as a way to improve the quality of care by bringing best practices for PD care to the staff working in care communities and in-home care setting. In the training, there is equal emphasis on understanding the disease process balanced with practical guidance about how to apply this knowledge to daily work functions. Caregivers learn to distinguish between an action tremor, resting tremor, dystonia and dyskinesia. These distinctions are important not only in connection to medication dosage and timing but also in terms of how to provide help with personal care. This knowledge helps staff observe and report changes accurately and know how to better accommodate the needs of a person with Parkinson’s. By incorporating strategies used in Parkinson’s therapies, we teach techniques to prevent freezing of gait, falls and MAY/JUNE 2017
swallowing problems. For instance, anticipating that a crowded elevator may lead to freezing, a caregiver might plan to take the person to the dining room before the rush which also gives the person who is slower more time to eat.
and anecdotes to help convey what is like to live with PD and discuss the amazing impact of available Parkinson’s therapies and wellness approaches.
SEE PAGE 8 FOR MORE GALA INFORMATION
We have an entire module dedicated to medications. It is THAT important to us to help caregivers have a strong foundation about the complexity of how the medications work at different stages of the disease. This helps them recognize the difference between “on” and “off” symptoms and it is so rewarding to see the realization that simply maintaining adherence to a medication schedule can dramatically improve quality of life! Participants problem-solve to address common barriers and discover creative solutions together.
While this program is specifically for professional (paid) caregivers, we teach a team approach and emphasize the importance of including the person with Parkinson’s and the family to actively participate in care planning and ongoing communication for better continuity. In addition to the Professional Training Series, PRO periodically offers classes specifically for family caregivers as well. To find out more about this Long Term Care Professionals training or to bring it to your community, please contact Libby in Eugene at 541.345.2988 or Melissa in Portland at 503.594.0901.
In recent months, Melissa Moran and I were in Redmond and Eugene to roll out updates and improvements to the training program. Altogether, the curriculum is nearly a full day of training covering a disease overview, medications, personal care, communication, swallowing and cognition. We encourage assisted living providers, adult foster care home owners, in-home care providers and other helping professionals to attend. We include videos
MORE INFO! (800) 426-6806 - WWW.PARKINSONSRESOURCES.ORG
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