Virtual Winter Gathering 2021 – #ActivitiesStrong

#ActivitiesStrong

Virtual Winter Gathering

Tuesday, December 7, 2021

1-5PM Eastern

OVERVIEW

Building on the successful #ActivitiesStrong Virtual Fall Gathering, this event will provide the latest trends in terms of planning programs and experiences in senior living. Linked Senior will host the gathering in partnership with Activity Connection, NAAP and NCCAP and the focus will be on helping activity and life enrichment professionals understand the state of resident engagement in a post-COVID-19 world, exploring best practices and methods and outlining the long lasting changes that will occur in how to build person-centered experiences for older adults.

Objectives

Attendees will be able to understand the state of resident engagement in a COVID-19 world
Attendees will be able to examine the latest best practices regarding program and experience planning
Attendees will be able to implement and use the Elder Engagement Performance Improvement (EEPI) Tool for any senior living organization

SESSION 1: 1-2PM EST

ScrippsOMA: Preparing Intergenerational Programming for People Living with Dementia after the Pandemic

Learn the why and how of intergenerational art programming for people living with dementia to implement after the pandemic. Once we can welcome volunteers into our communities again, the ScrippsOMA program will provide you with the skills and tools for effective intergenerational programming while meeting the creative expression needs of clients living with dementia. With the support of the Ohio Department of Medicaid, Miami University- the home base of ScrippsOMA- will provide grants to Ohio nursing homes who adopt this program to meet Quality Improvement Project (QIP) requirements. The presentation includes a mini art-making demonstration that allows for participation.

Objectives

Attendees will be able to describe the creative capacity of people with moderate to late-stage dementia and raise their expectations of what is possible.
Attendees will be able to describe a failure-free art-making experience designed for people living with dementia.
Attendees will be able to locate training opportunities to implement the ScrippsOMA program in their own community

Dr. Elizabeth “Like” Lokon

Director, Opening Minds through Art (OMA)

Meghan Young

Associate Director, Opening Minds through Art (OMA)

SESSION 2: 2-3PM Eastern

Planning Dementia Care with Purpose

There are a number of elements that go into planning effective dementia care treatment. One of those elements, and most important, is getting to know your residents living with dementia through a thorough assessment. Once you understand your residents better then you can create individual and group engagement plans that provide meaning and connection, as well as interventions that can prevent or mitigate negative behavioral expressions. For example, through the use of the Dementia Connection Model(c) developed by Dr. Stelter, when staff know what sensory stimuli is preferred by residents living with dementia and plan to use such stimuli in programming and interventions, then quality interactions and connections are occurring, influencing the person to feel happy, secure, focused, relaxed and such. This then lends to better clinical outcomes, like maintained or improved cognition, decreased falls, negative behavioral expressions, depression, and use of PRN psychotropic medications, leading to longer lengths of stay and decreased hospitalizations. This process will provide the quality of life those living with dementia so deserve.

Objectives

Attendees will be able to learn why understanding those with dementia individually is imperative when planning what and how engagement looks like.
Attendees will be able to identify areas that should be considered in the planning phase of care for those with dementia, including sensory stimuli.
Attendees will be able to put that pertinent information into an effective plan that will provide meaningful engagement and connections leading to better clinical outcomes and quality of life.

Jennifer Stelter, Psy.D., CDP, CADDCT, CCTP

Chief Engagement Officer, Resident Engagement Institute, Director of Product Research at Linked Senior

David Troxel

President
Best Friends^TM Approach

BREAK: 3-3:30PM Eastern

SESSION 3: 3:30-4:30PM Eastern

Creative Opportunities for Improving Quality of Life in Senior Living

Learn how creative technology solutions, like robotic companion pets, can provide meaningful engagement for people living with dementia and those experiencing feelings of social isolation and loneliness. Through a collection of 10+ studies conducted in various settings by healthcare professionals—including senior living communities—Ageless Innovation’s Joy for All Companion Pets, when used with other creative resident engagement tools, have repeatedly demonstrated their valuable role in improving quality of life and reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness for older individuals, their families, and care providers. Ted Fischer will share their thoughts on how budgeting for creative resident engagement experiences can have a meaningful impact on the health and well-being of residents.

Objectives

Attendees will be able to define the prevalence, health risks, and relationship between dementia and social isolation/loneliness.
Attendees will be able to describe the psychosocial benefits that can be recognized through deployment of creative resident engagement tools including robotic companion pets.
Attendees will be able to describe strategies for identifying what residents would benefit most from creative resident engagement experiences like robotic pet therapy