Concurrent Session Fr23: Family Members and Formal Caregivers: Partners in Care
Heather Karasinski & Kathy Flemington
Heather Karasinski
Deer Lodge Centre
Tache Special Care Resource Team
Heather Karasinski holds a Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of Manitoba. She started her career in acute care at the Health Sciences Centre and worked in the areas of medicine, surgery and geriatric rehab. She has also worked at Deer Lodge Centre, where she helped develop the first Interim Placement Unit. Her work at Deer Lodge provided her the opportunity to present educational sessions to staff, families and residents on a variety of topics including stress management, teamwork and working effectively with families.
Kathy Flemington
Tache Special Care Resource Team
Kathy Flemington graduated from Selkirk Mental Health Centre as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse. Before joining the Tache Special Care Resource Team, Kathy worked at Lion’s Prairie Manor and Beacon Hill Lodge personal care homes as a charge nurse and unit coordinator. She is currently working on attaining her Bachelor of Science in Mental Health from Brandon University.
Heather and Kathy have a combined 24 years of experience as psychogeriatric clinicians on the Tache Special Care Resource Team. The main focus of the team is to provide suggestions to long term care staff for approaches that will improve the quality of life for residents as well as the quality of work life for staff. The team works with clients who have difficulty adjusting to, or living within the personal care home environment because of cognitive deterioration or mental health issues. Client advocacy, education and support for staff are important components of the service. Heather and Kathy have presented educational sessions at various health conferences such as the Alzheimer Conference, MHO Conference, and the Long Term Care Association Education Day.
Heather and Kathy are both certified in Critical Incident Stress Debriefing and as instructors in Nonviolent Crisis Intervention. They are currently the co-chairs of the Manitoba Network of Psychogeriatric Program Specialists.
Target Audience: General Health Care Professionals, Front Line Direct Service Staff
Main Theme: Many of our seniors request that family caregivers provide assistance and emotional support. This presentation focuses on promoting, the building and maintai,ning of a positive relationship between professional caregivers and family caregivers to ensure optimal care for the client.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this lecture/workshop, the student will be able to:
- Identify why communication is so important when working with family members.
Concurrent Session Fr24: Psychosocial Approaches to Seniors Mental Health Across Canada
Dr. Penny MacCourt
Center on Aging, University of Victoria Seniors Psychosocial Interest Group (SPIG)
Dr. Penny MacCourt is a research affiliate with the Center on Aging, University of Victoria, and a Psychogeriatric social worker providing direct and indirect services in community and long term care settings. She has an Interdisciplinary PhD with a focus on aging, mental health and service delivery and is the chair of the national Seniors Psychosocial Interest Group (SPIG).
Target Audience: Physicians/Psychiatrists, Psychogeriatric/Mental Health Professionals, General Health Care Professionals.
Main Theme: This session will focus on the results of a project carried out by the BC Psychogeriatric Association which focused on developing the capacity of communities across Canada to use psychosocial approaches to promote seniors well being.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this lecture/workshop, the student will be able to:
- Identify the activities carried out in the project.
- To access project products.
- To contribute to a Psychosocial Resource Manual.
- Join the National Seniors Psychosocial Interest Group (SPIG).
Concurrent Session Fr25: Volunteerism and Mental Health of Older Adults in South Western Manitoba
Dr. Barbara M. Gfellner
Department of Psychology, Brandon University
Dr. Barbara M. Gfellner is Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychology at Brandon University. She teaches courses in the Psychology of Aging and Aging and Mental Health. Her research with older adults focuses on various aspects of quality of life including longitudinal studies on seniors' independence in relation to life changes (such as residence, health, functional abilities, supports, etc.). Much of her work emphasizes contextual/environmental influences and rural-urban comparison in aging and mental health.
Target Audience: Psychogeriatric/Mental Health Staff, General Health Care Professionals, Front Line/Direct Service Health Care Providers.
Main Theme: This session will provide an overview of the benefits of volunteerism for mental health and quality of life among older adults by examining three studies which focused on this topic.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this lecture/workshop, the student will be able to:
- Outline the characteristics of older adult volunteers including rural-urban comparisons.
- Describe quality of life benefits of volunteering among older adults.
- Outline the volunteer activities and types of organizations that older adults prefer.
- Outline perceived benefits of volunteering, needs and supports of older adults in relation to various types of volunteering.
- Develop strategies to enhance volunteerism among older adults in specific areas of service provision.
Concurrent Session Fr26: The Impact of an Adult Child Death on the Older Parent
Tony O’Regan RN, BSc(Hons), MSc, DPSN, Cert Ed.
Organization: St Boniface General Hospital Mental Health Program, Geriatric Psychiatry Out-Patient Service.
Tony O’Regan has extensive clinical, managerial, and academic experience within the UK National Health Service. From 1987 until 1997 he was Senior Lecturer in Mental Health Studies at the University of Luton, UK. Since January 1998, Tony has been Clinical Nurse Specialist, Geriatric Psychiatry, at St. Boniface Hospital, managing an out-patient consultation service and a personal caseload of elderly patients who present with complex mental health issues.
Target Audience: Physicians / Psychiatrists, General Health Care Professionals, Psychogeriatric / Mental Health Staff, Front Line / Direct Health Care Provider.
Main Theme: This presentation will focus on the epidemiology of adult child death (ACD) and the effects of ACD on elderly parents. It will stimulate debate on how the health care system can prepare and respond to the increasing phenomenon of elderly bereaved parents in the 21st Century.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this lecture/workshop, the student will be able to:
- Identify several pertinent psychological and sociological consequences related to the death of an adult child.
- Illustrate, from case illustrations, the particular reactions of older parents to the loss of their middle aged children.
- Briefly explore/examine what future research questions which might best inform clinical practice.
Concurrent Session Fr27: Family’s Journey to Recovery
Deanna Kowlchuk, Debbie Fisch and Krista Pedlow
Krista Pedlow
Outreach Worker, Mood Disorders Association
Krista Pedlow grew up in Brandon, Manitoba and is married with two children. Very much a people person who enjoys helping others, Krista volunteer’s in the community and sits on her children’s parent council.
Krista’s role with the Mood Disorders Association is one that provides peer support and information to individuals and their loved ones that helps the understand and accept their illnesses. The Mood Disorders Association itself holds regular support group meetings for sharing concerns, experiences, information and support. It also provides education to the community promoting early awarness, recognition and treatment; all of which fit with Krista’s belief that education is the key to help decrease the stigma surrounding mental illness.
Deanna Kowlchuk
Outreach Worker, Manitoba Schizophrenia Society
Deanna lives in Souris, has two children, and is very active in the Souris Community. She has worked for the Manitoba Schizophrenia Society for 8 years and has been involved with the Mental Health Community for many years. Deanna is an Outreach Worker for the Manitoba Schizophrenia Society and covers the Assiniboine and Brandon RHA's, but she also has experience working in the Eastman Regions.
Deanna, as both part of her job and her personal commitment, performs presentations focusing on fighting the stigma of Mental Illness; educating the public about the signs, symptoms, and identification of Mental Illness; advocacy on behalf of Family Members and Consumers; and helping everyone through the Mental Health Maze of services.
Target Audience: Physicians/Psychiatrists; Psychogeriatric/Mental Health Staff, General Health Care Professionals, Front Line/Direct Service Health Providers, Public/Family
Main Theme: This session will focus on the value of support for families of mental health consumers. It will include a literature review, a look at past and present support initiatives as well as a panel of family members who will share the stories with the audience.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- Recognize signs and symptoms of Depression, Schizophrenia, and Anxiety.
- Learn how the recieve the right services and where to go.
- Identify the recovery process and the challenges as a Family Member.
- Understanding the Journey of Recovery from the Family Members point of view.
- Identify strategies to supports families in assisting the consumer.
Concurrent Session Fr28: Financial Assistance for Caring At Home
Merle Teetaert & Cheryl Boulet & Cheryl Cormack
Merle Teetaert
Regional Pallitave Care Coordinator, Assiniboine Regional Health Authority
Merle Teetaert Teetaert is a Regional Palliative Care Coordinator in the Assiniboine Regional Health Authority. She has a diverse array of nursing experience including obstetrics, general ward nursing, operating room, outpatient, chemotherapy and nursing administration. Throughout all of these roles Merle developed a special interest in caring for the dying and their families.She served as the founding chair of the Provincial Palliative Care Network. Merle is a faciliitatior for the PALLIUM Regional Weekend Courses. As well, Merle is a board member of Hospice and Palliaive Care Manitoba. Merle recently received her Canadian Nurses Association Certification in Palliative Care.
Cheryl Boulet
Outreach Officer, Social Development Canada
Cheryl Boulet is an Outreach Officer wording for Social Development Canada and conducts educational activities in Manitoba to provide information to ensure that eligible persons are receiving the benefits to which they are entitled. She enjoys working with other organizations who share these concerns.
Cheryl Cormack
Regional Palliative Care Coordinator, Assiniboine Regional Health Authority
Cheryl Cormack is a regional Palliative Care Coordinaor in the Assiniboine Regional Health Authority. She is a Registered Nurse with previous experience in many different clinical settings including general ward duty, obstetrics, emergency, surgery and facilitating diabetic and hypertensive clinics. Throughout this past Cheryl realized her true compassion in meeting the palliative care needs of her community. As a Regional Palliative Care Coordinator for the past 3 years she is striving to make a difference for individuals and their families.
Target Audience:
Physicians / Psychiatrists, General Health Care Professionals, Psychogeriatric / Mental Health Staff, Front Line / Direct Health Care Provider.
Main Theme: This presentation will examine the financial options available to those who are caring for family members, a topic seldom addressed because the focus at such times is often on physical and emotional issues.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this lecture/workshop:
- the learner will have a greater understanding of financial supports that are available for families (caregivers) to help ease the financial burden.
Concurrent Session Fr29: Bill of Rights for the Dementia Patient
Peter Wiebe
Peter Wiebe Geriatric Eductaion & Consultation Services
Peter Wiebe is a registered nurse who has dedicated much of his career to Psychogeriatric care. From 1988 to 1996 he developed and managed the 10 bed Special Care Unit for the Salem Home in Winkler, Manitoba. Presently he runs a private nursing practive traveling across Canada teaching staff about caring for he demented elderly person.
Target Audience:
Psychogeriatric/Mental Health Staff
Main Theme: This presentation will examine the four following topics: the usual patient bill of rights, pertinent objections to this bill of rights for dementia patients, an alternate bill of rights for dementia patients, and one nursing home experience.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this lecture/workshop, the student will be able to:
- Recognize that the regular bill of rights adopted by many Canadian Health Care Agencies is not sufficient to guard the needs of the demented patient.
- Will be able to identify some key components that need to be included to protect the demented patient’s rights.
Concurrent Session Fr30: Informal Care Giving – What are the Rewards
Verna Pangman & Pamela Hawranik
Verna Pangman
University of Manitoba – Faculty of Nursing
Verna C. Pangman is an Instructor in the Faculty of Nursing at the University of Manitoba. She has been a course leader for many courses at the undergraduate level, and her nursing practice has been primarily with adults in long term care settings. Her research interests lie in the field of gerontology. She is currently adapting Canadian data in a nursing textbook "Health Promotion Throughout the Life Span" for Pearson Education.
Pamela Hawranik
Organization: University of Manitoba – Faculty of Nursing
Pamela Hawranik is an Associate professor in the faculty of Nursing and is the Associate Dean for the Faculty of Graduate Studies at the University of Manitoba. Her clinical experience has included public health nursing and home care case co-ordination in rural Manitoba and being a clinical nurse specialist at St. Boniface Hospital. Her research examines the effectiveness and use of community services by seniors and their informal caregivers.
Target Audience: General Health Care Professionals, Psychogeriatric / Mental Health Staff, Front Line / Direct Service Health Care Providers
Main Theme:The proportion of Canadian seniors experiencing Alzheimer disease is increasing. This holds important implications for informal caregivers who already provide 80% of the care that is given to these seniors in the community. Much of the empirical research on informal caregiving has focused on the burdens and the stressors that these family members or friends experience. To date, very little discussion in the research and non-research circles exists on the positive aspects of caregiving in caring for the family member with Alzheimer Disease. In the preliminary review, a few Canadian studies were found studying the rewards of informal caregivers, conducted by various disciplines. Even fewer studies were found examining the role of men as caregivers and their positive experiences. As nurses provide care to the family, it is important that nurses conduct such research in order to identify and to study caregivers= strengths (both females and males) to minimize the burden of cargiving. Based on such anticipated research findings, implications for nursing practice would be forthcoming to promote rewards of the caregiving experience especially for male caregivers.
Focusing on the benefits of intra-family caregiving, this presentation will present information on optimizing the benefits to the informal caregiver as well as minimizing the stressors involved by focusing on the caregivers strengths.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this lecture/workshop, the student will be able to:
- Define informal caregiving.
- Describe the effects of caregiving to a family member with Alzheimer’s Disease.
- Identify the rewards that informal caregivers experience when proving care.
- Discuss strategies that facilitate the positive aspects of caregiving by informal caregivers.
Concurrent Session Fr31: Enhancing Well Being Through Self-Care
Lynda Wolf OT
Riverview Health Centre, Winnipeg, MB
Lynda Wolf is an occupational therapist who has enjoyed many years working with health care teams in the development of programs for persons with dementia. She has presented at other conferences and workshops and currently conducts research projects related to dementia.
Target Audience: Nurses, HCA’s, Occupational Therapists, Directors of Care, Public
Main Theme: This presentation will describe a program that is underway at Riverview Health Care Center to promote the continued participation of residents who are diagnosed with severe dementia in selected self-care activities.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this session, the learner will be able to:
- Understand the process for using interviews with health care aids to determine the strengths and deficits of persons with severe dementia in participating in their self care;
- Understand the principles related to the development of self care plans that promote the continued participation of persons with severe dementia in aspects of their self care.
- Develop care plans with health care aids that can be implemented within the time constraints of the worker and the changing behavioral, cognitive and physical strengths and deficits of the person with dementia so that the person can continue participating in designated aspects of their self care.
- Understand how this process can be evaluated and modified on an ongoing basis as the needs of the person with dementia changes.
Concurrent Session Fr32: Older Wiser Lifestyles: Older Adults Making Healthy Lifestyle Changes
Debbie Christie
Alcohol, Drug and Gambling Services, Hamilton, Ontario
Debbie Christie began her career in social work in the 1970's in Northern Manitoba in the Women’s Shelter System in Public Education and as Shelter Co-ordinator. She traveled extensively into Aboriginal Communities to develop awareness and programs for abused women and their children. She also had her first acting role in the Video "No Safe Place" about abuse of women.
When coming to Ontario in the late 1980s it was time to pursue further education and she graduated from McMaster University with her BA/BSW in 1995. She is presently enrolled as a Graduate Student at McMaster in the school of social work. She will graduate in November with her MSW.
She teaches currently in the Continuing Education Program at Mohawk College in the Social Service Worker Program.
She has worked full time in Long Term Care and also in Addictions since the late 1980s.
Her work with older adults and substance misuse, and now in gambling, is with Alcohol, Drug and Gambling Services, Hamilton, Ontario. She is the co-founder of the Older Adult Program at this service in 1994-95. The name of the program has changed a couple of times and is presently known at OWL the Older Wiser Lifestyles Program. A program that is multi-faceted to enhance the quality of life of older clients (55 and over) with a harm reduction, lifestyle enhancement philosophy.
Debbie brings to her role with seniors, extensive experience assessing issues of addictions, mental health, behaviour, capacity, early intervention strategies, and group work. She also feels she uses the Stages of Change Model and Motivational Interviewing to engage her clients in the change process that they are ready to accept.
Target Audience: Psychiatrists/Physicians; Psychogeriatric /Mental Health Staff; General Health Care Professionals, Font Lone/Direct Service Staff.
Main Theme: This Presentation will introduce a multi-faceted program offered by Alcohol, Drug and Gambling Services (ADGS) that provides support to older adults wishing to make changes for a healthier lifestyle. It will focus on the principles of the program and why these principles are necessary for facilitating positive change.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this session, participants will be able to:
- You will recognize nine risk factors to look for when assessing alcohol and/or gambling and other mental health concerns with older adults.
- You will have learned motivational techniques that will help move an older adult from not thinking they have a problem to wanting to do something about it.
- You will have learned about a multi-faceted program that has proven effective in assessing and treating older adults who have concerns with substances, medications, and/or gambling.
Concurrent Session Fr33: Difficult Decisions Around Do Not Rescusitate Issues or:
““No 99” and “Do Not Resuscitate” Orders from the prospective of an Emergency Room Physician”
Dr. C. Norman
Chief of Emergency Medicine at Brandon Regional Health Centre
Dr. C. Norman is an Emergency Room physician and Chief of the Emergency Department with the Brandon Regional Health Authority. He serves as Medical Examiner and teaches at the Brandon Fire College. Dr. Norma will share his insights gained from providing care to residents in the Brandon area in a variety of care settings over the past quarter century.
Target Audience: General Health Care Professionals, Front Line/Direct Service Health Providers, Public/Family
Main Theme: This presentation will address some of the factors that need to be considered in making the decision around Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders and resuscitation from the perspective of an emergency room physician. There will be examples of the thought required to plan appropriate care for a aging loved one. The place this should be done is sitting round the kitchen table with all the adult family and not in the ER with a totally strange doctor at 3am! A proactive and more general approach to planning is encouraged for older person, both at home and in the personal care environment.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this presentation family members and care giving staff will have a better understanding of:
- The complexities of DNR or No 99 orders.
- Methods for effectively writing the information, and
- The information families should convey to any future medical practitioner.
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