Meet a Dementia Capable Care Superstar
In this blog series “Meet a Dementia Capable Care Superstar,” we will introduce you to individuals and organizations who are going above and beyond, to create a dementia capable workforce and to deliver high quality care and services.
Dementia care is both challenging and very rewarding. We know we can and need to do better for the millions living with dementia today, and for their loved ones and caregivers. Partnering with organizations and individuals who are passionate about making the world a better place for those with dementia is an essential ingredient for us to achieve our mission.
Our mission is to create a dementia capable society- a world in which the person living with dementia, their loved ones, and caregivers can thrive. This serves as our guiding light flowing vigorously through the heart and soul and the work of each member of our team. This passion also burns bright in many of our valued customers/partners, like Leisa Askew.
Leisa Askew - A Passionate Leader
You Should Get to Know
When we are fortunate enough to find partners who are willing to do whatever it takes, working towards the same quality goals, because it matters so much…we celebrate them. This month I have dedicated my blog to one of these amazing people, another Dementia Capable Care Superstar, Leisa Askew.
Leisa works with the Lee Russell Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging. Leisa has been one of our Dementia Capable Care (DCC) Certified Instructors since 2017.
She provides DCC training throughout Alabama, often collaborating with organizations including Dementia Friendly America, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, and so many others. Leisa teaches our DCC training to both family caregivers and professionals who work in aging/dementia care. Leisa shared, “I am committed to teaching the curriculum because I think it provides a good foundation. The agency I work for recognizes that the training and certification is an investment not only in me but our community as well.”
Leisa is changing lives, one person, one partner at a time. I just love hearing stories such as this one she shared. Leisa said, “Seeing the ‘Lightbulb Moment’ the caregivers experience as the training day progresses makes it all worth it. I will never forget a wife telling me the first thing she was going to do when she got home was apologize to her husband for always getting so frustrated at him. She said now she understood he was just doing the best he was able to do due to the disease process. She realized she had expectations of him, and he was unable to meet them due to no fault of his own. That realization and knowledge of dementia make it all worth it for me.”
Leisa is happy to be a Dementia Capable Care (DCC) Certified Instructor saying, “I have many national certifications, but the CPI DCC is my favorite and used most often. The material is presented on a level anyone can relate to or understand.” Well, Leisa, we couldn’t be prouder to have you training our DCC program. You are a compassionate change maker. Thank you for choosing us as your partner!
An Interview with Leisa Askew
Alabama Cares Lee Russell Council of Governments
Area Agency on Aging
We had the privilege of interviewing Leisa. She shed some light on her perspectives of quality dementia care and training and the reasons why it matters so much for her to train family and hired caregivers in Dementia Capable Care. Let’s hear what Leisa had to say.
Q: What is your definition of high-quality memory/dementia care?
A: “Dementia care looks different for each person on the dementia journey. I feel you cannot box in a definition on what high quality memory care / dementia care looks like.
- Seeing the individual living with dementia as they are, as they were, and as they may be and acknowledging them as having value and purpose at any and all stages of the disease process is key to providing appropriate care.
- Connecting with that person and responding properly is also key in providing individualized dementia care. This will look different for each and every person due to the fact we are all different and require different care to meet the individual’s needs.”
Q: Why is dementia training (training that is person-centered and focused on supporting people at different dementia stages and preventing and de-escalating “behaviors” without drugs) so important?
A: “Equipping the caregiver, both personal or professional , with the skills and knowledge of what dementia is and looks like is key in providing person centered care. Providing the caregiver with a foundation of what they are or may be experiencing as the disease progresses with their loved one is essential for supporting the changing needs that may look different from day to day.”
Q: What was the problem(s) or goal(s) you were looking to address by partnering with us and training yourself and others in Dementia Capable Care?
A: “Providing a caregiver with problem solving techniques, solution focused intervention, ability to recognize a potential issue, and a baseline understanding of the dementia journey, stages and types of dementia and resources that are available. Knowledge is power and power is understanding.”
Q: We know you have choices. What were some of the key reasons you decided to partner with us and utilize our Dementia Capable Care training to train others?
A: “The CPI Dementia Capable Care (DCC) course is person centered, research based and very practical to apply to real life. I always start each training with a disclaimer- This course will be like building a house from the ground up, we will lay the foundation, put up the wall structure, roof and window and doors. By laying a stable foundation and building a stable frame for a house, as a caregiver you are providing safety and stability to your loved one living with dementia. You cannot expect things to always go smoothly, but with a sturdy foundation, things will not crumble. The CPI DCC classes provide stability and safety foundation from information learned in the class.”
Q: How does becoming a Dementia Capable Care Certified Instructor (and earning DCC-CI and DCCS Credentials and Badges) help you to:
- Achieve your goals?
A: “Working for an Area Agency on Aging, there are several program goals I must meet. Some of theses goals are federal, state, or local requirements. The CPI DCC training checks several of the boxes for meeting these goals. The training program also falls in alignment for my budget while providing an excellent educational opportunity.”
b. Solve your problems?
A: “The program doesn’t necessarily solve problems but equips the caregiver or staff with specific dementia problem solving skills.”
c. Attract/maintain quality staff?
A: “Providing staff and employees the opportunity to become Dementia Capable Care Specialists gives them a sense of accomplishment and makes them more desirable in the elder care workforce. Providing continued educational opportunities equips staff with skill and knowledge that is practical and easy to apply to real life patient/client care.”
d. Attract/maintain new business/clients or referrals?
A: “Being able to provide the training to other agencies helps build a positive network in the dementia community. The philosophy of working smarter not harder is easily applied with the CPI DCC classes due to the fact it’s practical, relatable, and easily applied in real life. There are other dementia training options available but are not true to life or easily applied to the caregiver’s reality.”
Q: Can you tell us a bit more about your story, such as describing your journey of becoming a Dementia Capable Care-Certified Instructor and the way you utilize it in your practice?
- Why was it so important to you?
A: “Being a caregiver can be both mentally, emotionally, and physically challenging. Providing a foundation of understanding the dementia journey can ease the overwhelming demands the caregiver may experience. Being trusted to assist in their journey is something that I take seriously and consider it an honor. “
b. What challenges did you face, or barriers did you overcome?
A: “One of the major challenges faced was the Covid shut down. I was able to continue to provide the training via Zoom and figured out how to provide the same experience for attendees on zoom as in person. Another potential barrier is funding and budget. When we do projected budget planning, I always include and take into consideration the cost of license renewal and participant workbook cost. The CPI DCC program is such an asset and value that I do not want to not have the funding or opportunity to provide for the caregivers.”
c. Any impactful stories or lessons learned along the way?
A: "I see that the training is valued in the community is evident in the fact I offer the training quarterly. I have had as low as 4 to as high as 30 attend the training. A huge compliment is most of the classes are composed of participants who have heard of the training from prior course participants. That says a lot about the training and information provided. A caregiver did share at the end of the class that she now has a whole new insight on what her father is going through and experiencing. She had an awakening that her father is not giving her a hard time but is having a hard time.”
Q: Anything else you would like to share?
A: “It is such a blessing having a supervisor that supports and encourages my passion to provide this training opportunity to both personal and professional caregivers. She has actually taken the class from me and gives testimonies at events or meetings she attends promoting how beneficial the training is. I love to see the “light bulb” moments caregivers experience by obtaining the knowledge to provide the best care they can. Equipping them with understanding the different types of dementia, stages, Allen Cognitive Levels (ACLs), and terminology gives the caregivers a foundation of what the dementia journey may look like.”
Closing
As Leisa has shown us, making a difference in the life of someone with dementia requires knowledge and skills fueled by real passion and compassion. We sincerely thank Leisa and the Lee Russell Council of Governments Area Agency on Aging for selecting us as their training partner. We are humbled and grateful to be a little part of their amazing work.
We are so fortunate to have a rich diversity of Dementia Capable Care (DCC) Certified Instructors who are training this program in unique roles to varied audiences. While the people they teach in DCC may be different, what is common among our certified instructors is their true commitment to making the world a better place for those living with dementia. Each and every one of them gives me hope our mission can be accomplished.
Pictured below: (Image Left)Leisa Askew Speaking at Alzheimer's Foundation of America this year. (Image Right) Leisa Askew and Sharon Host (DCS Senior Consultant and GPI) celebrating after Leisa's successful presentation. 
If you’d like to learn more about how you can become a Dementia Capable Care - Certified Instructor and help you and your organization earn recognitions for building a Dementia Capable Care Workforce...
Contact us:
Phone: 866-954-1910
E-mail: DCSsolutions@crisisprevention.com
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October 2024
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