1. Creating Connections: Working with People with Dementia

2. Why connect person-centred care with staff safety? Creating Connections background & structure Workshop evaluation results Future steps Presentation overview

3. 1. What is the injury rate for continuing care workers? 9.2 / 1004.0 / 1008.2 / 100 2. Of all reported injuries, what is the most-common accident type? Acts of violenceOverexertion Slips, trips and falls 3. What is the most common source of injury? Working SurfacesPeopleBoxes & Containers 4. Dementia is not a specific disease. True or False? 5. What % of people in residential care have a diagnosis of dementia? 52%61%85% A quick quiz…

4. 70,000 70,000 people in B.C. have Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia Over 10,000 65 years of age or younger Over 10,000 of these 70,000 people are 65 years of age or younger 15,150 new cases 15,150 new cases in B.C. each year Setting the context: Dementia in B.C.

5. “Seeing the person with dementia as a person first and foremost...Person-centred care means getting to know the person and then thinking how their condition is affecting them.” Setting the context: What is “Person-Centred Care”?

6. Person-centred care: – Fewer incidents of staff being verbally abused or struck by residents (Chrzescijanski et al., 2007) – Higher levels of staff job satisfaction / lower levels of burnout (Edvardsson et al., 2009) So Why Staff Safety and Person-Centred Care?

7. Good for the person with dementia = Good for staff

8. Vision: Our ultimate vision is to create a world without Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Mission: The Alzheimer Society of B.C. exists to alleviate the personal and social consequences of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, to promote public awareness and to search for the causes and the cures. Alzheimer Society of B.C.

9. Vision: Safe, healthy, and injury-free workplaces in continuing care. Mission: To empower those working in the continuing care sector to create safer, healthier workplaces by fostering a culture of safety through evidence-based education, leadership, and collaboration. SafeCare BC

10. Partnership formed between WorkSafeBC and the Alzheimer Society of B.C. Purpose: Determine if there was a need and desire by B.C.’s paid frontline care workers for basic education on dementia. October 2012 to November 2013 Pre-Creating Connections: The pilot project

11. 8 workshops (6 hours) Led by Alzheimer Society of B.C. educator Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, Fraser Valley, Interior and the North 474 participants attended Participants had an average of 11.4 years experience Pre-Creating Connections: The pilot project

12. 98% agreed or strongly agreed that the workshops gave them a better understanding of dementia 100% agreed or strongly agreed that they were now more aware of the importance of their own safety while providing care to persons with dementia Results: Better Understanding, Enhanced Awareness

13. Follow-up survey in late 2013 Participants had opportunities to use knowledge and strategies gained They had shared the information with others in their workplace Great examples of changing behaviours and work practices Results: A workshop with lasting effects

14. “Breakfast time is always a challenge as care staff are trying to get as many residents up as possible for breakfast as a routine. Now with the new knowledge, we don't routinely wake up residents. We find out what would be their preference: to get up early, stay in bed for breakfast and get up later, it’s ok now for them just to come out in their house-gown for breakfast and get dressed later - after all, it is their home.” -Director of Care Results: Changes in care approaches

15. New partnership established Spring 2014 Creating Connections: Working with People with Dementia SafeCare BC & Alzheimer Society

16. What it is: Basic information on dementia Principles of person-centred care Communication strategies Responding creatively to behaviours What it isn’t: Clinical information on disease management Advanced neuropathology of diseases Prescription for organizational practices Program Content

17. Basic understanding of dementia Principles of person-centred care How to be a ‘detective’ Practical communication tips Application of knowledge Knowledge of available resources Learning Objectives

18. What are some things you’ve heard about dementia that you think may not be true? Dispelling the Myths

19. Dementia is not… A disease that only affects older people. Normal aging/memory loss. Preventable/curable. Caused by aluminum.

20. Dispelling the Myths Dementia does not mean… The end of a meaningful life. That a person cannot understand what is going on around them. That a person will become violent or aggressive.

21. Group Exercise

23. Who is attending? -Care aide: 40.5% -RN: 20% -LPN: 15.5% -Average number of years in the industry: 11.8 Workshop Evaluation

24. Immediately post-workshop: The workshop gave me a better understanding of dementia: 94% The workshop was applicable to my job: 97% I have learned the importance of person-centered care: 96% I will recommend this workshop: 99% I have learned/reinforced strategies for communicating with people with dementia: 97% I am now more aware of the importance of my own safety while providing care: 89% Making a difference

25. Immediately post-workshop: “Doesn't matter what stage of disease, a person is a person.” “I did learn more even after being a nurse after 19 years.” “I learned more that I didn’t learn when I went to school to take the care aide course.” Making a difference

26. 2-3 months post-workshop: Have you used some of the strategies and techniques that you learned in the workshop? 91% Have you noticed a change in your own work practices after attending the workshop? 81% Have you shared any of the knowledge, strategies, or resources that you learned in the workshop with others in your workplace? 88% Making a difference

27. 2-3 months post-workshop: “Being creative with approaches was something I've definitely put into practice.” “I move slower, and no longer use terms like 'dear’ and ‘sweetie’.” “I'm not avoiding them anymore.” Making a difference

28. Person-Centred Care in Practice “I take more time talking to residents, and make my tasks secondary as people come first!” “I no longer talk over patients like they are not there.” “I accept that what they feel is their reality.” Making a difference

29. Sharing knowledge gained: “I have posted 2 of the workshop handouts in my office at work where everybody comes in to have report at shift changes.” “We are planning to add into our employee orientation some points around the client approaches and working with them, not for them…” Making a difference

30. What is the next step for workshop evaluation? Continuing to “Create Connections” – Alzheimer Society of B.C.’s perspective Continuing to “Create Connections” – SafeCare BC’s perspective Looking forward…

31. Upcoming opportunities DateLocationFacilityTime Sept. 24BurnabyAccent Inns Burnaby 9AM – 4PM Oct. 20VictoriaComfort Inn & Suites 9AM – 4PM Nov. 4AbbotsfordMenno Place9AM – 4PM Register online at: safecarebc.ca/education-initiatives/course-listing

32. Contacts There is more to a person than a diagnosis of dementia. Alzheimer Society of B.C.: Jennifer Stewart, Manager, Advocacy & Education jstewart@alzheimerbc.org SafeCare BC: Jennifer Lyle, Executive Director jlyle@safecarebc.ca

33. Thank-you! Questions?