So now I'm a dementia specialist
Or is that "demented specialist"? LOL
Anyway, we finished up and "graduated" last night, complete with certificates, a book of inspirational thoughts for nursing assistants, and pin. The pin is in the shape of a key with a heart on the handle, to represent the skills we are expected to use in unlocking the needs of people with various types of dementia and the fact that we need to "come from the heart" in treating them as real people rather than "cases."
It was definitely a world of difference being in an assisted living environment for that last night of clinical. For one thing, the residents are much higher-functioning than those in long-term care facilities. For another, it's just plain more homey. If for some reason I *don't* end up doing home care, I think that is a setting I could be very happy working in.
Semi-coincidentally, the Allied Health program director approached me about possibly offering Reiki I through Three Rivers CC over the summer. So I've spent much of this morning excitedly putting together a prospectus of sorts. The one thing I do see as being a potential "issue" is doing initiation attunements in a college classroom setting. I'm pretty sure the administration won't "get it." Neither, perhaps, will a lot of the students, at least when they first register. However, I'm thrilled just to have the opportunity to get a bit more information out there, even if it ultimately goes no farther than the Continuing Ed personnel.
Anyway, we finished up and "graduated" last night, complete with certificates, a book of inspirational thoughts for nursing assistants, and pin. The pin is in the shape of a key with a heart on the handle, to represent the skills we are expected to use in unlocking the needs of people with various types of dementia and the fact that we need to "come from the heart" in treating them as real people rather than "cases."
It was definitely a world of difference being in an assisted living environment for that last night of clinical. For one thing, the residents are much higher-functioning than those in long-term care facilities. For another, it's just plain more homey. If for some reason I *don't* end up doing home care, I think that is a setting I could be very happy working in.
Semi-coincidentally, the Allied Health program director approached me about possibly offering Reiki I through Three Rivers CC over the summer. So I've spent much of this morning excitedly putting together a prospectus of sorts. The one thing I do see as being a potential "issue" is doing initiation attunements in a college classroom setting. I'm pretty sure the administration won't "get it." Neither, perhaps, will a lot of the students, at least when they first register. However, I'm thrilled just to have the opportunity to get a bit more information out there, even if it ultimately goes no farther than the Continuing Ed personnel.