To catch the flame brings to mind the Olympic flame carried by runners. In 2004, the first global torch relay was undertaken in a journey that lasted 78 days. The power of catching and passing the flame in the Olympic torch relay is regularly enacted to facilitate communication in many expressive-arts group therapy warm-ups. The torch is passed as a koosh ball, balloon, peacock feather or bean bag in a circle or between partners. Words are added like the participants’ names or other calls and responses.

This exercise serves to break through the disconnection among group members. Everyone responds to an immediate task like runners in a torch relay. As we catch the object we emotionally respond and relay the action to another member of the group passing on the need to respond to one another.

In these exercises we are always ready to respond (that is, care) because we may be relayed to again and again at any moment. We cannot throw to another person one time only and then sit down to watch the clock saying, “That’s all you’ll get from me!” Caring, caregiving, caregetting require a constant interactive readiness to respond.

Just as the light of the torch once kindled by the sun must be kept alive by the global runners, every day you are dancing the job of caregiving like a runner in a torch relay, keeping your eye on the need to keep the flame of your care burning by receiving and giving in the tradition of caregiving.

Make the purpose of your caregiving activities:

• Not to kill time but to make time live;
• Not to keep yourself and other persons occupied but to keep yourself and others refreshed;
• Not to offer an escape from life or mechanical maintenance of life but to provide a discovery of life.

Breathe life into each moment and create a dynamic interchange with the world.

By Julia Soto Lebentritt.  A published poet and producer, Julia Soto Lebentritt is author of As Long as You Sing, I’ll Dance: Using lullabies in activities for older adults to be released autumn 2010. She is a Bereavement Facilitator at the Community Hospice of Rensselaer County.

Working with dementia is challenging to say the least. Years ago, dementia care looked quite different to what we offer today. Many residents with dementia were mistreated, forced into rigid schedules and even ridiculed. Although we are now more knowledgeable regarding the best approach to dementia care, we still have a long way to go. In April 2010, the British government began an emergency resolution to improve dementia care through addressing the obvious deficit in nursing and care giver education. Also brought to attention was the need to improve palliative care, because, as we all know, dementia does eventually end in death. An estimated million plus persons in the U.K. will be living with dementia within the next 15 years, and the numbers in America are no better.

There is no question that we all have a lot to learn to help us be better caregivers to these residents. Through a literature review, I came across some excellent suggestions to help anyone that deals with dementia. Here are some of the top pearls:

1. Always introduce yourself when you approach someone with dementia.
2. If a resident with dementia begins to display disturbing behavior, keep two things in mind. First, untreated pain is the number one cause of behaviors. Second, infection, even as simple as a UTI can cause changes in ability and also may result in undesirable behaviors.
3. There is never any use trying to argue with a person suffering from dementia. Instead, distraction and comfort should be your focus.
4. Use family and caregivers as much as you can, they are your most valuable source of information regarding what techniques are successful to calm their agitated loved one.
5. Learn as much as you can about the resident’s past. Knowing their background can help give you ideas of how best to comfort that individual.
6. Use appropriate touch as much as you can.
7. Keep them busy. Having residents fold towels or sort through papers can not only keep them engaged, but also prevent wandering or other behaviors.
8. Listen to their stories and tales, regardless if you have already heard the story 10 times. Also, never hesitate to repeat yourself to the resident.
9. Continually assess and document their level of impairment as changes can indicate other issues.
10. Finally, when you interact with a resident that has dementia, focus on making them comfortable as you number one priority.

Dementia is not going to go away, or become less of an issue. I agree with the British model of increased education. The more we know the better; dementia is a complex disease with unique challenges. Perhaps it is time that we approach our governments and request more education. There is continual research into drug therapies to treat dementia; however, they all merely slow the disease process rather than improving cognitive function. Our best bet is to learn as much as we can about how best to care for dementia sufferers, from the research, journals, and of course, each other.

By Aurora Cyganik-Barker RN, BN.  Aurora has worked in all aspects of long term and seniors care for over eight years. Currently, she works in a rural facility that has both acute beds and a long term care wing that houses 20 residents.

If you are considering a new rewarding job in senior living or in senior care nursing, therapy or administration, be sure to search NSLPN.com for the latest senior care jobs available including Home Health Jobs, Hospice Jobs, Nursing Home Jobs, Independent Living Jobs, and Assisted Living Jobs.

Healthcare reform whether by legislative mandate or fiscal necessity is inevitable. Our aging population is living longer and advancements in medicine and technology are reducing traditional mortality rates. In addition to an increase in longevity throughout the USA, the demand for primary care physicians is on a dramatic upward trend. However, medical school enrollment for primary physicians is nowhere near the levels to support are future medical needs.

There will be a serious shortage of primary care physician availability in the next decade. If this country wants to continue to provide acceptable levels of medical care to its citizens it will be up to our nurses to step in to help fill the void. That means LVNs, and RNs need to start pursuing advanced degrees in order to maximize their knowledge in clinical care and administration.

For years now Nurse Practitioners have worked nearly independently in the rural areas throughout America because of the lack of primary care physicians, but soon more and more of NPs will be needed in the suburbs and cities. There has never been a better time for career-oriented nurses to return to school for advanced education. The country needs you now and will need your clinical expertise even more in the years to come.

We are entering an era in medicine in this country when nurses with advanced clinical skills will take a more formal collaborative role in determining a patient’s healthcare plan.

If you are considering a new rewarding job in senior living or in senior care nursing, therapy or administration, be sure to search NSLPN.com for the latest senior care jobs available including Home Health Jobs, Hospice Jobs, Nursing Home Jobs, Independent Living Jobs, and Assisted Living Jobs.