Inclusive Services for LGBT Older Adults

As residential care providers it is our responsibility to provide safe and inclusive living environments.  Safety is truly a vital part of what we do daily but sometimes it's easy to forget how to be welcoming and inclusive.

Recently I was called by a program analyst from CCLD who asked me if Community Care Options offered any training related to aging Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender adults.  Honestly, I was left speechless for a moment.  I answered, "no, but we do address some topics related to homosexuality in our HIV/AIDS training", and then I wondered why I'd never developed a course for LGBT.  I was then informed that it is a topic that CCLD would like to see addressed.  I called some friends and one of them turned me to this website, LBGTAgingCenter.org.  After reviewing this site and some of the related resources I realized that training on how to best welcome and include LGBT adults into our care homes is vital to our success as care providers.  Please review the information on this site and download the Inclusive Services for LGBT Older Adults guide.

Walk to End Alzheimer's

As many of you know we are big supporters of the Alzheimer's Association and The Walk to End Alzheimer's.  We've had teams in the past and it's a great time for great cause.   I want to encourage you to have your own team this year if you're not already planning to.  This event happens in communities all over the nation and the world.  Please consider forming a team as a tribute to someone you know or have known with this disease.  You can find a Walk near you and register a team HERE or just Google "Walk to End Alzheimer's 2013". 

Donating Unused Medications Follow Up on SB-1329

As of January 1, 2013 the billed called SB-1329 allows RCFEs of 16 beds or more to participate in the donating of certain unused medications.  Naturally there are very specific guidelines and documentation that must be adhered to.  Information on this bill can be found on page 15 of the newest change to the Evaluator's Manual.  Please download the change to learn more.

So, you want to participate in SB-1329?  If so, a non-profit group called SIRUM.org offers a good way to do so.  They make it very easy to donate unused medications and will teach you what you need to know.  We have invited them to attend the RENO 2013 conference in May as well. 

Activity-Based Care

There is more to good care than just handing out medications, assisting with showers and providing nutritious meals. What makes one facility stand out against others is often the level of activity that is visible to your visitors. So, understanding how care and activities work together can be a big part of making a facility successful. The fact is activities are not all games and crafts, especially in RCFEs providing dementia care and ARFs with highly active individuals. Activities can include dressing, grooming, meal prep, meal clean up and when appropriate, community outreach. Keep in mind that activities should be whatever is best for the individual and should not be what best serves the community. Please view the link for more considerations on Activity-Based Care. 

Football, Concussions & Dementia

We should start this week by saying that even though our 49er's didn't win Super Bowl XLVII they played an amazing second half and a great season.

Continuing with football, Tom Dempsey, the legendary NFL kicker who had no toes on his right foot, is suffering from dementia.  He is part of a study conducted by the well-known brain specialist Dr. Daniel Amen.  Some of us at Community Care Options had a chance to see Dr. Amen speak a few years ago and he addressed this issue around contact sports and brain injury.  Dr. Amen is beginning to see a connection between amongst retiring NFL players.  I've linked an article from the N.Y. Times below for you to enjoy.

For Former Kicker, the Price of Fearlessness