HOV Dementia Care Fellowship Program is Changing Lives
Members of the 2019 Hospice of the Valley Dementia Fellowship Program.
2019 Dementia Care Fellowship change projects, accomplishments
Jan Dougherty
Hospice of the Valley Dementia Program Director
“Once again, the fellowship really seems to motivate folks for change,
and I love that they move out of their comfort zones and get to know
other people in other fields.”
Sarah Anderson, occupational therapist and instructor at Midwestern University, created and implemented a program focused on sensory processing and modulation for self-regulation related to dementia caregivers. She also worked with 2018 HOV Dementia Fellow Tamara Turner to revise the curriculum for occupational therapy students at Midwestern to create a more positive experience in working with older adults and those with dementia.
Michelle Bales, HOV social worker, and Cheryl Haynes, HOV nurse, created a sensory engagement program for residents with moderate to advanced dementia in residential settings. They also facilitated dementia education to each of our Residential Care Teams, incorporating new training methods using the Dementia Moments and Positive Approach strategies.
Dana Cardenas, nurse and emergency medical service coordinator, and Megan Hanks, volunteer coordinator with the Tempe Police Department, brought the virtual dementia tour and dementia friends training to all Tempe fire and police personnel and will utilize the Dementia Moments training program to ensure all new hires receive dementia training. Megan also purchased and is implementing a new device for those at risk for wandering. “Project Lifesaver” will utilize Tempe police volunteers to change out the bracelets and stay connected to caregivers.
Mary deGuzman, social worker at HOV, worked with her peers in the West office to better identify and manage grief and loss in family caregivers.
Mary Hardiman, CNA at HOV’s Sherman Home, outlined ways to recognize dementia-related behaviors. She mentored change in both fellow CNAs and RNs as she demonstrated strategies to minimize distressed behaviors.
Aimee Hueber, After Hours nurse with HOV, focused on cultural considerations of persons with dementia and family caregivers. She educated After Hours teams on culture and behavioral considerations.
Laura Macaveiu and Kevin Malina, clinical pharmacists with HonorHealth Thompson Peak, worked within a team to create a set of geriatric admission orders to minimize unnecessary medication. They are completing a handout for patients to minimize medication errors upon discharge. Laura also created the medication script and handout for the third Phoenix Fire Department training video in collaboration with fire Capt. Benjamin Santillan.
Kathleen Outcalt and Jaclyn Robinson are third-year family medicine residents at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center. Kathleen taught physicians how to navigate difficult discussions related to dementia through advance directives. Jaclyn taught residents the importance of reducing the number of medications physicians prescribe for dementia patients.
Benjamin Santillan, a captain with the Phoenix Fire Department, finalized three videos that will be used to teach members of the fire team how to respond to some of the most common scenarios encountered in the field related to dementia. He also will be utilizing the Dementia Moments to educate all fire members to become dementia-capable in 2020.
AJ Thomas, principal at Corgan, worked with a team of architects to create dementia-friendly environmental guidelines for healthcare facilities, including ambulatory, inpatient and long-term care facilities.
Above image: Hospice of the Valley and the Phoenix Fire Department collaborated on three training videos designed to help first responders assist dementia patients who are in distress. They used actors to simulate real-life scenarios like this one: A woman with dementia (portrayed by Dr. Gill Hamilton) with dementia is injured and lost on a grocery store parking lot.