The classes listed here are available as a private training onsite at your facility.   For your convenience the class(es) can be presented in two sessions. Contact us for available dates and additional information.

*Some Classes are available on-site at your facility in English, Tagalog or Spanish.  Contact us for details.

Science has finally come to embrace what animal lovers and caregivers have known for decades: pets and animals can be therapeutic, and can help people, including those in an assisted-living environment, live fuller, richer lives.  In this course, you will learn the benefits of animal assisted therapy, and how to implement animal assisted therapy into an assisted living facility or environment.  You will learn which types of animals make the most suitable therapeutic companions, and how best to incorporate animals into an assisted living facility.  The course will also explore some of the issues that may arise from the presence of animals in an assisted living facility, and ways that you can help pets, caregivers, and residents cope with these potential problems.  This course will also introduce the “Eden Alternative” model for care, a philosophy which focuses on “elder-centered” care, and creating a “human habitat” for those living in care homes.

Be prepared to save a life!  This 4-hour course will be presented by a certified National Safety Course Instructor, and is in accordance with The National Safety Council Standard.  Upon completion of this course, you will be prepared to offer first response assistance to someone who is injured or ill until more advanced medical care reaches the scene.  You will be able to identify and eliminate potentially hazardous conditions in your environment, and you will learn how to judge when an emergency situation calls for more advanced care.

 

Helping yourself as well as those in your care survive a natural disaster such as an earthquake requires careful thought and meticulous planning.  This course will teach you the basics of earthquake preparedness.  You will learn which geographical areas are more prone to earthquakes and how to take the appropriate precautions for both yourself and those in your care.  You will learn specifically what to do before, during, and after an earthquake.  Course participants will receive an overview of the CCLD Disaster Preparedness Guidelines, and upon completion of this course, you will be prepared to develop facility disaster plans which meet these regulatory guidelines, as well as to determine the suitability of potential relocation sites in order to meet needs such as housing and proper functioning of medical equipment and special requirements of patients/residents, and you will have the tools you will need to be able to conduct a self-assessment check.

Part of effective dementia care is learning to overcome communication issues.  This 4-hour video-based course is designed to help caregivers in assisted living settings to develop better communication strategies for dealing with residents with dementia symptoms.  You will be given an overview of dementia in general, and learn specific communication techniques when dealing with clients with dementia, including positive greetings, good speaking skills, and effective reaction skills.  The idea of communication cards will be introduced as an additional form of redirection and as a tool to enable you to implement the communication skills learned in class.

Verbal outbursts are not uncommon from residents who suffer from dementia, and having the right tools to deal with verbal abuse can make a positive difference in both the life of the resident and the workday of the caregiver.  In this 4-hour course, you will learn some strategies for dealing effectively with verbal outbursts and abusive language.  Presented in four parts, this course will help you:

Define abuse and discover the different types of abuse a caregiver may experience when working with residents who suffer from dementia.Learn how to properly deal with racist comments.Learn how to handle sexually suggestive language.Learn how to respond to insults directed at you in a care-giving setting.You will see examples of possible abuse scenarios via video dramatization, and discuss ways to respond constructively in real-life situations.  The video also includes real-life testimonials from care givers who have experienced incidents of abuse, and through their stories you will learn some effective coping strategies.

Both medical and non-medical facility staff is often called upon to help assist residents with self-administration of medication.   This course will cover the fundamentals of medication administration, including: the role, responsibilities, and limitations of staff who assist residents with self-administration of medication (including defining tasks which are limited strictly to licensed medical professionals); explanations of terminology specific to medication assistance; explanation of the different types of medication orders (prescription, over-the-counter, controlled, and other); rules and precautions for medication assistance; understanding information on medication forms;  procedures for providing assistance with self-medication and proper documentation steps; proper storage, security, and documentation of centrally stored medications; processes for ordering medication, refills, and receiving medication from the pharmacy; and medication side effects, adverse reactions, and dosage error avoidance.

Caring for a patient with dementia is about more than meeting his or her physical needs.  This 3-hour video-based course will teach you how to effectively manage difficult behavioral problems in residents with dementia.  You will be given specific tools for identifying and interpreting important clues and reasons behind a resident’s behavior.  You will be taught to recognize and analyze such things as expression, words, and body language in residents.  You will also be taught techniques that can be used to creatively address and prevent problems that typically arise when working with residents with dementia symptoms.

Caregivers who are adequately prepared for dealing with clients with dual-diagnoses will be better equipped to offer more effective care.  This 6-hour course will explore the issues arising from caring for the individual with a dual-diagnosis.  It will specifically address mood disorders in people with developmental disabilities.  You will learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of depressive and manic episodes in people with developmental disabilities, as well as some of the biological and psychological treatments available.  You will also learn about types of environmental modifications which may function as a therapeutic adjunct, some of the commonly prescribed drugs and their potential side-effects, and some strategies for supporting individuals with development disabilities and mood disorders in their care.

Understanding is the first step to more effective care.  This 6-hour course will explore the issues arising from caring for the individual with a dual diagnosis of schizophrenia/psychotic disorder and developmental disability.  You will learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders in people with developmental disabilities.  This course will debunk some of the myths and misconceptions commonly associated with these disorders, and will also present possible causes other than psychosis for delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized behavior.  You will learn about some of the antipsychotic drugs on the market and their potential side effects, as well as non-medical treatments, such as cognitive behavior therapy and adjustment of an individual’s physical and social environment.  You will be taught the necessary skills for interviewing, supporting, and interacting with individuals with dual diagnoses.  You will learn the importance of helping to develop a strong support network and relationship between client, caregiver, family members, and health care providers in order to create a cohesive and individualized plan of care.

Unfortunately, while many caregivers have been thoroughly trained to meet a patient’s physical needs, sometimes caregivers are not adequately prepared to deal with the legal issues regarding residential care.  This 3-hour course will prepare you for the legal and practical issues surrounding the implementation of policies regarding tenancy termination and eviction of residents.  You will learn how to comply with Title 22 in the setting of an Adult Residential Facility or RCFE facility.  You will be given strategies for eviction avoidance, and learn how to legally document the circumstances upon which you will base an order of eviction.  Rights of residents and responsibilities of owners/managers will be discussed, and you will be given a complete overview of the eviction process.

***This course will be presented by Ted Wolny, Attorney at Law.

The possibilities for using animals in treating certain patients are endless and can be a highly effective way to enhance a patient’s quality of life.  This 6-hour course will explore animal assisted therapy programs to encourage therapeutic and mutually beneficial interaction between animals and people.  You will be given an overview of the history of animal assisted therapy, discuss some of the benefits of such a program, and learn distinctions between terminologies.  You will learn about various groups that you can join which will help you to certify an animal for assisted therapy, as well as skills that you will be able to teach with your animal assistant, including cognitive, gross motor, and fine motor skills, speech and communication skills, and daily living skills.  You will also participate in discussion on how animals can be used therapeutically in settings such as long-term care facilities.

With an estimated 76 million cases of foodborne disease striking Americans every year, it’s important to know how to prevent the spread of foodborne illness, which can become epidemic if not properly and quickly contained.  In this 4-hour course, you will learn the working definition for foodborne illness (FBI), and the populations most vulnerable to FBI.  You will discover how to properly handle food to prevent the spread of disease, from the importance of hand washing to understanding food safety practices as outlined by the USDA.  The role of the caregiver in recognizing the signs of foodborne disease and being an integral part of food safety will be discussed.  You will be taught practical measures for helping to prevent the spread of foodborne illness, such as using a thermometer to test the temperature of food, proper handling of food products from the store or kitchen to the table, the right way to store food products, and how to judge if a food is potentially hazardous.

People living with the symptoms of dementia can continue to lead full and active lives with the right level of assistance, and designing a living area with their needs in mind is one step toward continued active living.  This course will teach you the considerations which should be made when designing an environment in order to compensate for the cognitive changes of residents with dementia.  You will learn some basic design principles that a care giver can apply in order to create a more quality environment for a resident with dementia.  You will learn the importance of: the need to maximize the dementia resident’s awareness of his surroundings and his orientation; promoting feelings of, and actual safety and security; providing opportunities for significant social contact; and supporting functional independence with Activities of Daily Living thru thoughtful environmental design.  You will also learn how to apply general design principles to specific issues, such as design of a floor plan, bedroom, toilet and bathroom, activity areas, kitchen, dining room, social space, outdoor space, and staff working space.  Upon completion of this course, you will feel comfortable with your design skills and be able to apply them in a real life situation.

Does it seem like there’s never enough money in the budget?  Don’t worry!  This 6-hour course will teach you how to plan activities which encompass self-care, leisure and recreation, relaxation, rest, and work, without the benefit of a big budget line.  You will learn about the social, physical, and mental benefits of activity in general, and receive guidelines for planning engaging and stimulating activities while at the same time spending little or no money.  You will also discover the importance of activity analysis when planning for clients with special needs, and you will be given techniques which you can use to adapt components of various activities to meet a wide range of needs or disabilities.  You will also be given the opportunity to interact with the class to conduct experiential exercises.

Every person, including those in group home care, has rights as a resident.  Sometimes those in residential care cannot fight for their own rights, and may not even understand what they are legally and ethically entitled to.  This 4-hour course will emphasize the importance of the resident’s rights, touching on civil rights in general, and the legal rights of residents living in Group Homes, Adult Residential Facilities, and Residential Facilities for the Elderly specifically.  You will learn the role that the caregiver has in protecting and advocating for the rights of residents to live in dignity and make independent life choices.  You will also learn how to facilitate communication with, and enable access to, persons and services available both inside and outside the facility. 

This course will also present a summation of resident rights which will include but will not be limited to: Exercise of Rights; Notice of Rights and services; Protection of Resident Funds and Property; Self determination/ Free Choice; Privacy and Confidentiality; Grievances; Right to refuse work; Access to mail; Access and Visitation Rights.  A brief overview will also be given of categories of rights under specific instances of  Foster Care, the Lanterman Act (Developmental Disabilities), and Elder Care including DNR.

Sexual expression is a fundamental human right which applies to everyone, including those in residential care.  Sexual expression within the context of a residential facility carries certain special aspects, which will be discussed in this 3-hour course.  The resident’s right to engage in sexual intimacy is a quality of life issue, and this course will equip you with the tools you will need to help observe, protect, and preserve this right.  Generally accepted policies and procedures relating to various forms of sexual expression will be presented.  You will learn what types of sexual expression to anticipate from residents, discussing both the positive and the negative forms of sexual expression and the impact that they may have on the community and its members.  The course will address difficulties associated with a resident’s inappropriate sexual activities, especially among residents who suffer from dementia or related illness, and the necessity of acceptable and effective intervention in the event of inappropriate behaviors. The course will include the viewing of videotaped enactments of examples of the various forms of sexual behaviors that frequently occur in residential care and assisted living facilities.  Methods for intervention in cases of negative sexual expression will be taught, and you will learn to judge when a situation calls for notification of family.

Visual impairments varying from mild to severe cases are common in residential care situations.  This course will teach you the definition and effects of low vision.  You will also cover some of the common visual impairments, their causes, and their symptoms, and what home/environmental modifications and devices can help a resident cope with low vision and maintain the highest possible level of independence with ADLs (Activities of Daily Living.)  You will gain an understanding of the characteristics of a range of sight problems, from low vision to total blindness.  In class you will receive hands on training during blindness simulation exercises in order to more thoroughly understand the challenges faced by the visually impaired, and to help develop workable solutions for performing ADL tasks.

Care givers are routinely called upon to provide transportation for residents in their care to take care of errands, visit with medical professionals, or for the purpose of recreation.  Transporting residents can present some special challenges, both cognitive and physical, that care givers may not even be aware of.  This 4-hour course will cover topics such as: strategies for effective situational communication; sensitivity to residents in transport; agitation prevention during transport; dealing with agitation once it occurs; and providing physical assistance.  You will also learn about some very practical devices and tools available on the market which can aid in transporting residents with special challenges.  (CCLD Approved Course for GH (648-0406-11687), ARF (648-0406-11688) and RCFE (648-0406-11689).

The classes listed here are available for onsite training at your facility.  We require a minimum of 8 per class and for your convenience the class can be presented in two sessions. Contact us for available dates. 

The classes listed here are also available for private training at our Pleasanton facility.  We require a minimum of 8 participants per class (at the Pleasanton location). For your convenience the class(es) can be presented in two sessions.  Contact us for available dates.

We are able to meet your unique training and information needs.  Contact us for customized classes.