The Caring Spirit Approach to Eldercare provides a different way to think about culture change in long-term care. While most culture change efforts target the physical environment and internal systems in long-term care communities, the Caring Spirit™ approach recognizes that valuing and nurturing relationships between staff and residents is critical to person-centered care—and that families need to be partners in the process too.
Presented as a training program with 10 professional and 4 family training modules, the activities and instruction presented in this easy-to-follow guide will empower all caregivers by providing the support, guidance, and attention they need to succeed. Participants learn the importance of
- relationships built on compassion, respect, and trust
- pride in and commitment to the process of care giving and receiving
- positive self-awareness and self-care
- more meaningful ways to communicate with one another
- care practices that are spiritually renewing rather than depleting and demoralizing
Reap the rewards of reduced costs and improved quality of care from this easily affordable investment in your human resources. Witness what research has already proven: that staff retention and positive care outcomes for residents are directly linked to how staff are valued.
If culture change is truly your passion and goal, then The Caring Spirit Approach to Eldercare is a “must have” training program for your community!
Winner!
Human Resources and Aging Award
(American Society on Aging and Brookdale Center, 2005)
admin –
“This approach appeals to the spirit of those giving care while offering a fresh vision of what is possible in caring relationships. This book is a gift offering self care and self discovery for caregivers seeking inspiration and creative expression. The Caring Spirit approach should enhance the quality of lives, comfort and healing relationships in any setting.”
—Lisa P. Gwyther, MSW, Director, Family Support Program, Duke Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, Duke University Medical Center
admin –
“The emphasis on ‘conscious caring’ is a welcome addition to the literature on long-term care. This book helps administrators, staff, families, and residents understand how living and working in a long-term care facility can be a blessing to all.”
—Susan H. McFadden, Ph.D., Professor and Chair, Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin Oshkosh
admin –
“This programatic book is a helpful contribution to the expanding literature for implementing spiritual values and concepts in long-term care facilities.”
—Melvin A. Kimble, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Pastoral Theology, Director of The Center for Aging, Religion and Spirituality Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN
admin –
“an excellent, insightful training guide for staying connected to our hearts and souls as we perform the sacred work of eldercare … [the book] should be required reading for all managers in long-term care facilities”
-Interfaith Voice, National Interfaith Coalition on Aging
admin –
“[Kriseman’s] step-by-step training exercises to help caregivers become more insightful, soulful, sacred, connected, and spiritual are warm and inviting and will definitely feed the soul, as well as improve long-term care environments.”
– Journal of Christian Nursing
admin –
“[The Caring Spirit’s] understanding and presentation of spirituality is particularly sensitive… [the] lesson plans are simple and easy to follow [and] the exercises are interactive and enable participants to go deeper in their understandings and experience of caregiving … The Caring Spirit will go a long way to providing a foundation for excellence in caregiving.”
—Donald Koepke, Director, Center for Spirituality and Ethics in Aging
admin –
Comments from staff trained in The Caring Spirit™
“The Caring Spirit™ has helped me to see my purpose for why I do this work.”
“This training has helped me to see how important it is to be spiritual at work and with the residents.”
“It has taught me to be more care oriented instead of task oriented, to show more compassion.”
“[It] made me realize that you can make a difference in somebody’s life everyday and not even know that you have done so. Even a smile can change people.”