Our current 20-hour course selection

Identifying, Understanding & Managing Difficult Behaviors Related to Dementia/Cognitive Impairment  (8 Hour Course)*

Designed as an overview of various Cognitive Impairments such as Dementia, Alzheimer's Disease and other Memory Impairments.

The course starts out by dispelling common myths about memory impairment and explains why ARF administrators should join RCFE administrators in getting this education.  It identifies the most recurring difficult behaviors to manage in persons suffering from these impairments.  It introduces an intervention which treats the difficult behavior as a system rather than as a random occurrence.  The behaviors focused on are: Anxiety, Agitation, Hallucinations, Wandering, "Wanting to go home", Paranoia, Dressing/Bathing, Inappropriate Sexual Behaviors, Sleeping Problems, Incontinence and Eating Issues.  It allows the students to become comfortable applying the techniques through studying fictitious case studies and then acting out the management techniques in a group role-playing format.

The course is peppered with real life situations called "True to Life" segments which bring the text to life.  Lastly, this course has a special segment on avoiding litigation.  There is no reason why learning about dementia can't be fun!

* Satisfies current 8-hour dementia requirement for RCFE administrators and staff

Keys to Managing Families/Responsible Parties of Your Clients (8 Hour Course)

Content: Designed as an in-depth, hands-on tutorial of how to manage familial psychodynamics.  Understanding the pressure, emotional stress and the bevy of other influences on the behavior of the family members of clients in long term care.  The class begins with an empathic exercise and leads into discussion about common psychological issues that afflict families.  Clinical definitions of common psychological issues are presented as a foundation.  Discussion about how these psychological issues can influence behavior and the types of behavior that are commonly manifested is shared.  Most importantly, a discussion about how to avoid the behaviors from occurring is presented.  Finally, there is great emphasis on a cutting edge concept of "Viewing a Complaint as a Gift".  Role plays & fictitious case studies are used to create an interactive environment.

The Silent Killer: Stress and Burnout (4 Hour Course)

Content:  The foundation is laid by providing the grim statistics of how burnout affects the physical, emotional & financial well-being of the long term care provider.  Systems theory is applied to how burnout ultimately affects the quality of life of our clients & staff. The clinical definition of burnout is provided as well as relaxing group activities designed to empower the student with the ability to identify burnout, identify the source & how to implement a program to manage and prevent it.  Specific, effective, stress management & prevention techniques are discussed.  Applied activities include: Purposeful Breathing, Smudging (spiritual Native American cleansing), Releasing the Demons through Drumming, Visualization and Aroma Therapy.  The discussion of creating ritual & forming 'Good Habits' is discussed.  The goal of this class is to educate while relaxing, recharging and rejuvenating.  A supplemental CD of guided meditation is available in the HAHK Store and makes a great companion to the class as well as a great gift for staff!