The Dreambuilders Education Conference encourages the exchange of fresh ideas and approaches in seniors’ health, housing, support services and products. Sessions emphasize concepts that can be readily adapted by others, with interactive presentations that encourage learning and provide a springboard for lively discussion. Biographies for all concurrent session presenters can be found on the Conference Speakers page.
Concurrent Block A
10:30 – 11:45 a.m., Thursday, October 25A1 From Tame Solutions to Local Simplicities: Addressing Complex Problems
Patti Digh
Circle Project, Asheville, North Carolina
Swarms of bees and ants can tell us a lot about innovative, effective approaches to complex problems. Rather than imposing tame solutions, they seek “local simplicities” to address complexity. Participants in this session will delve further into the issue of complexity and tameness to discover how tame solutions can be avoided by designing local simplicities that address the nature of the complex problems they face in their organizations and communities.
- Learn models of problem-solving from swarms and flocks in nature
- Apply those models to a complex problem you are facing presently
- Create strategies to engage with complex problems without taming them
A2 Building a Culture of Philanthropy
Andrea McManus, CFRE
President, The Development Group, Calgary, Alberta
Changing an organizational culture isn’t easy and won’t happen overnight. Increasing support for your organization’s mission takes time and a board that is committed to building a culture of philanthropy.
Philanthropy is a learned behavior that many board members do not fully understand. Learn how to move your board toward a model of giving that encourages increased support, reduces board member burnout and creates a culture of philanthropy that will have a lasting effect on how your donors give.
- Understand the impact of organizational culture on fundraising success
- Grasp the culture and value connections between fundraising, development and philanthropy and how it shapes our approach to raising financial support
- Have practical tools and approaches for shaping and nurturing a philanthropic culture
- Appreciate that they have an important role within an organization beyond raising money
A3 Life Together – A Model for Building Dynamic Communities of Care
Andrea Swan, BSN, MA
Director of Health and Support Services, Luther Court Society, Victoria, British Columbia
Karen Johnson-Lefsrud, BMus, MDiv
Director of Care and Social Services, Luther Court Society, Victoria, British Columbia
Concerns about the aging baby boom population, our increasingly complex society and the current state of health care for seniors are factors that are compelling people to seek responsive and dynamic solutions. The Luther Court Society of Victoria will share its model of a community of care for seniors which has, at its heart, the concept of “Life Together” – a community where members gain a sense of empathy and trust, shared purpose and collective identity
- Learn about the key elements that define a dynamic community of care for seniors
- Learn how such communities result in supportive environments for health and social cohesion
- Be exposed to a process for developing such communities
A4 Bridging the Gap in Conflict to Resolution
Sara Lee, BSc, CGA, CHRP
President, S. Lee HR Consulting, Calgary, Alberta
How much time do you spend resolving conflicts? If your response is “way too much time,” you are not alone. The crux of the issue is that we lack the tools that enable us to understand and control behavior. Have you ever experienced a time when you reacted outrageously in the face of stress and conflict? Haven’t we all. Come and learn about easy to use techniques and tools for bringing your conflicts to resolution.
- Understand their own approaches to conflict and how they unintentionally create and increase conflict
- Reduce workplace conflict by holding themselves accountable for their own behavior
- Learn how to foster positive work environments while recognizing their teams’ response to conflict
- Ease fears regarding conflict by understanding how conflict is a source for creativity
A5 The Memory PLUS Program
Sue McCauley
Director, Saanich Silver Threads, Victoria, British Columbia
Colleen Hussey, RT, BFA
Recreation Therapist, Memory Plus Program, Victoria, British Columbia
Due to cognitive changes, individuals with dementia are often reluctant to continue with their previous leisure pursuits. Families often support this withdrawal to protect their loved one from embarrassment and, as a result, take on the burden of chores, leisure and companionship. The Memory PLUS program allows individuals with dementia and their families to spend meaningful, enjoyable time together while learning to cope with the changes and challenges that affect families dealing with dementia.
- Be introduced to the Memory PLUS Program and its unique qualities
- Learn how to set up a program
- Discuss funding issues and resources
- Learn how to incorporate Memory PLUS into existing day programs
A6 Quality Improvement: Putting all the Pieces Together
Lynn Olenek, MSA
Senior Policy Advisor, Alberta Health and Wellness, Edmonton, Alberta
Trudy Harbidge, RN
Director, Continuing Care Systems Development for Seniors’ Health, Chinook Health Region, Lethbridge, Alberta
The Continuing Care Health Service Standards encompass a number of provincial initiatives, which regional health authorities, provider organizations and continuing care staff are engaged in implementing. These include the Continuing Care Desktop, the interRAI assessment tool and medication management. This session will focus on bringing these initiatives together and integrating them to address quality improvement. Everyone benefits from improving quality – from clients to caregivers to operating organizations.
- Understand why quality improvement is important
- Be able to identify how a variety of initiatives contribute to quality improvement
- Learn how to incorporate quality improvement into their daily activities
- Understand how these initiatives and a focus on quality improvement will help them do their jobs
Concurrent Block B
1:15 – 2:30 p.m., Thursday, October 25Leadership Workshop
This workshop covers blocks B and C, from 1:15 to 4:15 p.m. on Thursday afternoon.
Action Learning: Solving Real Problems in Real Time
Bruce Rutley, PhD, PAg
President, Rutley Ventures, Ltd., Victoria, British Columbia
Heidi Miller Zerr, BA, MCE
Director, BDD Artifex Corporation, Airdrie, Alberta
Action Learning is the process by which Dr. Ernest Rutherford and his team in the Cavendish Laboratory uncovered the secrets of the atom. It is a process that is particularly helpful in complex times and for complex problems. In this session, you will not only be introduced to Action Learning, you will experience its effectiveness. Participants will leave with a key action related to their own problems or opportunities. The more complex the issue, the more valuable the action learning process is in addressing it. This process provides an environment of grace that supports deep learning and team building while solving real problems in real time.
- Understand the basic principles of Action Learning
- Experience its effectiveness in solving complex problems or exploring complex opportunities
- Leave with actions towards solving a problem or taking advantage of an opportunity
B1 The RAI/MDS 2.0 Maze - Where’s the Cheese?
Carol Anaka, RN
Clinical Education Coordinator, Bethany Care Society, Calgary, Alberta
Jodi Phillips, RN
Clinical Education Coordinator, Bethany Care Society, Calgary, Alberta
Tara Van Voort, HBScN, RN, GNC
Clinical Education Coordinator, Bethany Care Society, Calgary, Alberta
Experience our journey, since June 2006, through the maze of RAI/MDS implementation. We started outside of the maze and in the dark. But today, having entered the maze, we are mapping our way by traveling through many twists, turns and dead ends. On our journey we have experienced trials and successes that have led to improving the quality of our education sessions. As we’ve traveled, we have learned the value of teamwork, communication, flexibility and a great sense of humor.
- Experience the journey and detours of facilitating and implementing RAI/MDS 2.0 in a large, diverse organization
- Understand how we managed and implemented change to improve the quality of our RAI/MDS 2.0 training sessions
- Understand the importance of communication, teamwork, flexibility and humor during times of great change
B2 Using the Age in Place Model to Provide Person-Centered Care
Beth Wilky, RN
Director of Seniors’ Living, Shepherd’s Care Foundation, Edmonton, Alberta
Lyn Krutzfeldt, RN
Vice President of Operations, Shepherd’s Care Foundation, Edmonton, Alberta
Much has been said and written about the concept of person-centered care, in both the community and continuing care. Shepherd’s Care Foundation has utilized not-for-profit aging in place centres in Edmonton to develop methods that help meet a goal of delivering person-centered care. This session will explore case studies in which true person-centered care has been achieved and families have been kept together by offering flexibility within the system.
- Learn about innovation occurring at a centre where aging in place is operating
- Examine what it means to offer true person-centered care in this type of setting
- Learn about the pros and cons, successes and threats to providing this type of care for seniors
B3 Customer Service: The Power Within
Debra Sureman
Job Developer/Facilitator, Community Employment Services, Medicine Hat, Alberta
Customer Service is a concept that often lacks consistency and depth, and in some businesses or organizations is non-existent. Why is excellent customer service so rare in our modern, information age society? A number of factors contribute to the problem, but perhaps the single largest contributor is our set of personal beliefs about ourselves, our jobs and the customers we serve. In this session, we will discuss how our attitude can either build up or tear down others and identify some easy strategies to generate a positive power within.
- Recognize the power of Positive Affirmation Statements and have the opportunity to apply them
- Experience the 90/10 Rule and understand the concept of “iceberg” realism
- Identify individual attitude “hang-ups” and their negative effect on personal and professional growth
B4 P.I.E.C.E.S. Learning Initiative Enhances Quality of Life of Older Adults
Lynn McCarthy, RN
Outreach Educator, Rosehaven Care Centre, Camrose, Alberta
Carla Beck, BA Rec Admin
Clinical Support Manager, Rosehaven Care Centre, Camrose, Alberta
Seeking to support professionals caring for clients with cognitive/mental health needs, the Rosehaven Provincial Program researched assessment tools used across Canada and in other countries. The most comprehensive approach was determined to be the P.I.E.C.E.S. program from Ontario, which was purchased for use in Alberta. P.I.E.C.E.S. is a program that conveys the distinctiveness of various factors in an individual’s quality of life. “Putting the P.I.E.C.E.S. Together” represents Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, Capabilities, Environment and Social components, which are the cornerstones of the program.
- Be more aware of the need for a comprehensive, psychogeriatric assessment learning program for health care professionals
- Review the P.I.E.C.E.S. Learning Initiative and resources provided to assist with holistic client assessment
- Review the Network of Support that accompanies P.I.E.C.E.S. training in each health region
Concurrent Block C
3:00 to 4:15, Thursday, October 25C1 In a Time of Crisis: Community, Consolation, Communication
Rev. Jean Morris, BA, MDiv, ThM
Vice President, Spirituality and Pastoral Care, Bethany Care Society, Calgary, Alberta
Dianne Harvey, BAA
Vice President, Communications and Marketing, Bethany Care Society, Calgary, Alberta
Heath Miller, BComm
Administrator, Bethany Calgary, Calgary, Alberta
Janice Kennedy, BAC-PR
Communications Analyst, Bethany Care Society, Calgary, Alberta
At 6 a.m. on a Sunday morning in April, the unimaginable happened. In the days that followed the news spread that a resident of a Calgary care centre had assaulted another resident, who subsequently died of the injuries. In responding to this crisis, the care of residents, families, staff and volunteers was of first priority for leaders. At the same time, the constant presence of police and media created layers of complexity in decision making. This session explores the organizational response, which required teamwork, sensitivity and an unwavering commitment to the organization’s mission.
- Learn strategies for appropriate response to crisis situations
- Appreciate the breadth of perspective required to inform an appropriate response
- Understand the importance of having a designated spokesperson and a clear, well-functioning leadership team
- Recognize the importance of a strong values-base to guide decision-making
C2 All Aboard the Cruise Ship: One Organization’s Experience in Providing a Living Option for Seniors
Elda Barva, RN, BN
Administrator, Martha’s House, Lethbridge, Alberta
Kevin Cowan, BNSc, MHA
CEO, St. Michael’s Health Centre and St. Michael’s Housing Association, Lethbridge, Alberta
While those entering their senior years today experience increased longevity, they must often contend with the consequent limitations of age. The challenges of living independently in one’s home can sometimes outweigh the benefits. Supportive housing communities aim to maximize a person’s independence while providing supports to optimize physical, mental and spiritual well-being. Creating a well balanced environment is, to some degree, a trial and error experiential process. This session will discuss the experiences of one organization with emphasis on successes and recommendations.
- Recognize opportunities to provide supportive seniors’ housing
- Learn about one model for Supportive Independent Living for seniors
- Learn about successful strategies to maximize an optimum level of function for seniors
- Receive some tips about what works and what doesn’t
C3 The Toolbox - Guiding and Celebrating Your Helping Career
Bev Fuhr-Suntjens, BA
Instructor and Curriculum Developer, NorQuest College, Edmonton, Alberta
In order to best assist our clients during complex times, we need to care for ourselves, and our careers, well. Whatever your role in a helping profession or organization, you can benefit by developing a “toolbox” to guide and celebrate the path of your career. Recognizing external foundations and formalizing internal reflections, participants in this session will be guided through interactive and handson exercises that will rejuvenate and support them for continued success in client care and professional service.
- Describe the value of a toolbox in career development
- Define the two main components of a toolbox
- Identify the external foundations particular to one’s career
- Explore internal reflections that guide one’s career (including care philosophy, mentorship, continued learning, positive reminiscing)
C4 Creating a Person-Centered Environment for Elders, Families and Staff
Lori Amdam, RN, MSN
Nursing Consultant, Northern Health Authority, Lantzville, British Columbia
Charlotte Miller, RN
Staff Nurse, Pouce Coup Care Home and Nurse Champion, Best Practice Project, Northern Health Authority, Pouce Coupe, British Columbia
Loretta Jackson, RN
Director of Nursing and Patient Care, Northern Health Authority, Vanderhoof, British Columbia
This session will describe the Best Practices for Nursing Care of Older Adults project of the Northern Health Authority in B.C. The initiative gives nurses 12 clinical practice guidelines that are person-centered and therefore applicable to acute, community and residential care. The guidelines present evidence-based knowledge clearly, allowing staff nurses to translate research into practice with confidence. Volunteer Nurse Champions teach the guidelines in their facilities, units and programs. Come and learn how this program is making a difference.
- Understand the application of person-centered care for elders in acute, community and residential care
- Describe the benefits of this approach in terms of care quality, financial savings, quality of life for seniors and improved job satisfaction for staff
- Be inspired to create a person-centered vision for elder care in their places of work
