The Experiential Model of Care -- Gathering the Life Story is Step 1

"Nonpharmacological Interventions Key To Model"

"The essential element in making the experiential model work is transforming the mindset of the residence’s staff from a medical/institutional viewpoint to one that prioritizes building meaningful relationships with each resident and partnering with the resident in each caregiving event and activity of the day.

This requires consistent staffing, the elimination of agency staffing, and incorporating meaningful communication between two people—resident and care partner (a term that implies a two-way street in which residents participate in their own care, rather than the term “caregiver,” which implies all the giving occurs on the provider’s side)—who are getting to know and trust each other.

It’s only when the care partner really understands the resident—including history, current views and preferences, spirituality and values, and what tends to trigger anger or unhappiness—and gains the person’s trust that effective, nonpharmacological interventions can take place. All people are more likely to open up about what they’re really feeling to a friend than to a stranger."

Read the whole article from Provider Magazine here....http://www.providermagazine.com/archives/archives-2012/Pages/0912/Bridging-The-Gap-In-Dementia-Care.aspx#magazine-article

Learn more about how to gather the life story and how to make sure it is an engaging experience that builds meaningful relationships for older adults in senior care or health care settings.   www.lifebio.com/health

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