Glen Haven Manor endorses Teepa Snow approach
Alzheimer’s month recognition concludes with fundraiser
NEW GLASGOW, N.S. — Glen Haven Manor marked January as Alzheimer’s Month in Canada with a cupcake fundraiser in support of the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada.
The fundraiser was sponsored by the Residents Council and Glen Haven Manor.
This year Alzheimer’s branches across the nation asked Canadians to think about the 72 per cent who are women diagnosed with the disease. This fact is not often recognized but because women live longer than men, they represent the vast majority of all Canadians living with Alzheimer’s disease as age continues to be a significant risk factor.
Lisa Smith, CEO at Glen Haven Manor, explained Whispering Tide is the facility’s 35-bed Memory Care Area where residents have access to RNs, LPNs and CCAs around the clock, supported by a multidisciplinary team. There are residents on all resident care areas with varying stages of dementia, a progressive disease and each person’s situation is unique.
Glen Haven Manor has endorsed the Teepa Snow approach to dementia which is also called the Positive Approach to Care, a person-centred approach evolved to meet the unique needs of individuals using effective and structured technique.
Teepa’s philosophy and program encourages care partners to respond to a person’s change in cognition and abilities in a way that is not hurtful or offensive; to understand that, with practice, common reactions to the person living with dementia can become thoughtful responses that improve quality of life for everyone involved.
Glen Haven has two certified Teepa Snow instructors, Evie MacMillan, RN, and Dawn Gladney, LPN, who offer in-house training to other staff through a regular series of Teepa Snow modules. Teepa’s Snow’s relational approach and hands-on skill techniques offer the interpersonal skills needed to improve quality of life for everyone involved.
“It is important to remove the stigma associated with dementia and to increase education and understanding,” adds Smith. “We continue to learn so much from the Teepa Snow approach which recognizes that everyone’s abilities can change in a moment.”
It’s seen as important to provide supportive settings and information for everyone, including care providers. That’s the premise of the Alzheimer Society’s continuing nationwide campaign: “Yes. I live with dementia. Let me help you understand.”
A release issued by the Alzheimer’s Society says that while there is no question that dementia is a challenging disease, it’s just one aspect of a person’s life story. The campaign, which kicked into gear in early January during Alzheimer’s month showcases the unique and diverse stories of individuals from across the country living with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. The aim of the campaign is to change attitudes toward the disease and erase the stigma. Life continues after a diagnosis of dementia.
To learn more and get involved, visit, ilivewithdementia.ca.