New Session
Positive Approach to Care Dementia: GEMS (Webinar)
The GEMS ™ workshop offers an overview Teepa Snow’s dementia classification model (developed from the basic structure of Allen Cognitive Disability Levels). The GEMS model compares different states of being and ability to the characteristics of precious jewels. This dignified metaphor defines normal as well as many appearances, behavioral changes, skill set, and needs of those living with the effects of neurocognitive failure (dementia) or other brain changes. They should be considered indicators and a guide toward understanding an individual’s current state of ability and brain function. Understanding them will lead to an adjustment of expectations, modification of cues and support, and more accurate communication and ‘hands-on’ care behaviors to better meet the ever-changing needs. The GEMS ™ advocate for people living with dementia, when done with rather than done to and provided with the just right care and setting, can still shine.
Participants can choose to do one session or the whole series.
TARGET AUDIENCE: Direct care workers in both nursing facilities and home care
- Develop understanding of normal aging and stages of dementia, and the correlating GEM for each (sapphire, diamond, emerald, amber, ruby, pearl).
- Learn to use GEMS ™ to facilitate positive, supportive communication between the care giver and the person being cared for.
- Learn to recognize and respond to unmet needs that lead to distress or challenging behaviors as the disease progresses.
- Learn to describe effective combinations of multi-modal helping techniques, emphasizing use of preserved abilities.
