3/19/07

                 ADDRESSING THE STAFFING ISSUES OF DEMENTIA CARE IN HEALTHCARE SETTINGS IN NEW YORK: THE BIRTH OF DOMINION ELDERCARE CONSULTANTS, INC.

     Dementia, in its many different forms is gradually becoming a widespread disease. More individuals on a daily basis are diagnosed with dementia and related conditions. Almost all households in the United States are being affected. According to the department of Aging, dementia is on the top list of most prealent diseases in america. To this end, it is becoming necessary that many families will seek the assistance of healthcare facilities in the care and management of the dementia conditions.

      Healthcare facilities in rising to the challenge of the increase in the admission of dementia patients, provide fancy state-of-the-art buildings and highly-luxurious environments and yet neglect on important factor- Staff Training. The lack of staff training becomes evident as most of the staff assigned to care for dementia patients have no understanding of the dynamics, symptoms and behavior issues associated with dementia care.

   The significant of this lack of training culminates in the problems encountered by most nursing homes today. First of all, most nursing homes do not provide standard care to dementia patients. It is no surprise that the conditions of most individuals with dementia deteriorate rapidly upon admission to nursing homes and other healthcare facilities. Furthermore, the mortality rates are on the rise-research shows that 50%-60% of people admitted to care homes die within th first two years.(kennard, 2006). Another problem worth looking at is the increase of staff turnover in most healthcare settings. Caring for individuals with dementia care is very challenging and stressful. The task of providing care may impact negatively on the wellbeing of the staff that is providing the care. If the staff are not well trained to handle all the dynamics in the care of dementia patients, the staff get burnout and they may not want to work for the facility any longer.

      There are many more problems confronting Long Term Care Facilities simply because Staff Training has not been given a priority. It is on the basis of providing remedies to these shortcomings that Dominion eldercare Consultants, Inc was formed. Dominion Eldercare Consultants, Inc seeks to provide training programs to all healthcare facilities in the nation. The primary goal of the company is to equip each healthcare professional with the tools necessary to effectively manage the symptoms of dementia.

    Dominion Eldercare Consultants, Inc follows a thorough course module that intensively addresses all issues of dementia care. Our seminars provide intensive Alzheimer/Dementia Training. Upon completion of the training, participants would have learned to:

• Understand Dementia, its symptoms, diagnosis and prognosis
• Identify common causes of aggression, repetitive behaviors and sun downing manifestations in older adults
• Identify communication techniques most effective in working with older adults with dementia
• Apply knowledge and utilize result proven approach for assisting older adults with activities of daily living
• Provide behavioral and care interventions that may be used to reduce or prevent crisis situations
• Identify caregivers challenges, concerns and tools for stress reduction
• Identify family, staff and community resources and networking
• Address spirituality and end of life issues.

     In essence, Dominion Eldercare Consultants seeks to fill the gap currently unoccupied in the area of dementia care. All healthcare facilities are therefore strongly encouraged to utilize the dementia training provided by Dominion Eldercare Consultants,Inc. Our company will empower staff and caregivers. We will provide you -staff and caregivers with renewed motivation in the care of dementia patients. Your staff will learn the ABC of Dementia Care, making them competent in providing quality care to your dementia residents and thus improving the overall image of your facility.