Month: April 2020

Enhancing Your Influence

Posted on | by Daniel Murphy

We are in a constant state of influencing others and being influenced. Maximizing our ability to impact those around us is attainable if we take the time to develop our skill set and learn about the people we desire to influence. This presentation will help us become more intentional in our efforts to maximize our sphere of influence.

Objectives

  • Participants will be able to identify at least three things they need to learn about those they desire to influence
  • Participants will be able to recall at least two characteristics they must possess as a good leader
  • Participants will be able to identify at least two tactics that will help them enhance their influence

Download .doc

Dementia and Dysphagia

Posted on | by Daniel Murphy

Individuals afflicted with dementia often suffer from dysphagia. Physical limitations, sensory changes, decline in cognition, and other issues may ultimately impact a person’s ability to consume food and fluids. This presentation will explore these issues along with interventions we can employ to promote safe eating practices.

Objectives:

The participant will be able to:

  • Identify two issues that increase the risk for dysphagia
  • Recall when a speech pathologist should be consulted
  • Identify two adaptive equipment tools that can be used
  • Identify at least two safe eating practice guidelines
Download .doc

Differentiating Dementias

Posted on | by Daniel Murphy

This presentation explores the clinical evaluation of dementia and the cognitive assessment tools we use. Profiles of common dementias will be discussed and the associated neuropsychiatric symptoms will be addressed.

Objectives:

Participants will be able to:

  1. Identify at least two considerations in the clinical evaluation of dementia
  2. Recall at least two cognitive assessment tools used to evaluate dementia
  3. Differentiate between at least two different types of dementia
Download .doc

Developing a Dementia Care Plan

Posted on | by Daniel Murphy

This presentation is designed to assist health care professionals as they develop care plans for clients with dementia. A review of assessment tools that could be utilized will be addressed along with a review of realistic goals and meaningful interventions. Pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic approaches will be discussed.

Objectives:

The participants will be able to identify:

  1. the purpose of dementia care planning
  2. at least two cognitive assessment tools for the client with dementia
  3. a realistic vs. unrealistic goals for clients with dementia
  4. at least three non-pharmacologic interventions
  5. the role of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and NMDA receptor antagonist
Download .doc

The Drive to De-Prescribe

Posted on | by Daniel Murphy

Polypharmacy is becoming an epidemic in western society and the hazards are numerous. Older adults are disproportionally affected. This presentation will take an in depth look at what is creating this crisis, the risks involved, and how to avert it. De-prescribing is getting a lot more attention in the literature and health care staff need to know what to do to assist in this movement.

Objectives: The participant will be able to

  • Define polypharmacy
  • Recall why older adults are at higher risk of adverse drug events
  • Identify at least two considerations when looking at a medication list
  • Name at least two drugs that may represent a high risk for older adults
Download .doc

Care for the Caregiver

Posted on | by Daniel Murphy

Compassion fatigue has plagued many caregivers resulting in emotional and physical distress. This presentation will help participants identify personal areas of compassion satisfaction vs. compassion fatigue. We will discuss ways to create positivity and care for self.

Objectives:

Participants will be able to:

  1. Identify at least two risk factors for compassion fatigue.
  2. Assess their personal level of compassion fatigue.
  3. Recall at least two strategies to promote compassion satisfaction.
Download .doc
Nurse seeing covid patient

Has COVID-19 Flipped QSEN on its head?

Posted on | by Amy Siple

Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) has provided a theoretical framework for patient care delivery for the past fifteen years. COVID-19 has required us to rethink how we incorporate QSEN competencies, especially in our long-term care environments. The first three competencies of QSEN involve patient-centered care, teamwork, and evidence-based practice. How can you accomplish this in the face of a novel virus in the middle of a pandemic?

Read More
Prescription Drugs

Are we poisoning our seniors?

Posted on | by Amy Siple

Through the years, I have seen many clients who transitioned to hospice show considerable improvement in their condition. The primary reason for this is probably secondary to the cessation of all meds not related to comfort. Polypharmacy has become an epidemic in our older adult population. The World Health Organization recognizes medication-related harm as a global health issue. When two drugs are used in combination, the potential for interaction is about 6%. When someone is on five drugs, the risk of interactions increases to 50% and by the time someone is taking more than eight medications, the risk of drug to drug interactions rises to almost 100%. Some of these interactions can result in morbidity and mortality often masquerading as falls or delirium and are thus misclassified and unrecognized. Furthermore, older adults undergo physiologic changes in absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of medications that compound their risk of harm. 

Read More

Dying Well

Posted on | by Daniel Murphy

When someone is given a terminal diagnosis, family and friends often rally around that individual and pledge together to fight it. When death finally takes the person, those at the funeral find comfort when people say they “fought until the end”. What is the true cost of this approach, and does it rob individuals from really living and then dying well? When we are engaged in a battle it is exhausting and leaves little time for anything else. Making meaningful memories and connecting with loved ones gets pushed to the back burner as we spend all our time, energy, and resources in hospitals and searching for a miracle cure. This presentation will engage the listener as they consider stories of clients who have “fought until the end”. It will encourage them that there is more to fight for as they consider what legacy they leave—to not just live well, but to “die well”.

Objectives:

The participant will be able to:

  1. Consider what they would consider to be an ideal death
  2. Identify ways to help clients consider goals of care in end of life discussions
  3. Identify at least three interventions to assist with management of symptoms at the end of life
Download .doc

Incorporating Faith into Practice

Posted on | by Daniel Murphy

The literature supports that people have spiritual needs. If we are going to provide wholistic care to our clients, we cannot ignore this. This presentation offers suggestions on how to perform a spiritual assessment, how to address spiritual needs that conflict with our own beliefs, and how to render end of life spiritual care. Furthermore, the participant is encouraged to consider their own faith principles and how that might inform the care they render to others.

Objectives:

The participant will be able to:

  • Identify at least two barriers for assessing spiritual needs
  • Recall at least two questions that could be asked to assess spiritual needs
  • Discuss why knowing our client’s beliefs regarding death and dying is important
  • Describe how our own faith and beliefs can positively impact our care
Download .doc