Chestnut Knoll takes on a “Positive Approach” to Caring for Seniors

“We are always striving to be the best of the best, to look for ways to improve upon ourselves and our delivery of service to our residents, so that, ultimately, they can have the best quality of life at Chestnut Knoll,” said Shawn Barndt, executive director.

After the new training and certification that one staff member has received, Chestnut Knoll can continue to do just that: provide the best quality of life for seniors.

Chestnut Knoll Personal Care and Memory Care is thrilled to announce that staff member Jennelle Jamison, director of staff development and resident care, has received her Coach Certification in Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach™ to Care. As a coach, she supervises team members who provide direct care to individuals living with dementia and builds new knowledge and skills into habits for competence and integrated practice.

Teepa Snow is one of America’s leading educators on dementia, and her philosophy is reflective of her education, work experience, medical research, and firsthand caregiving interactions. Teepa Snow and her team believe “Until There’s a Cure, There’s Care,” and it is their mission to help families and professionals better understand how it feels to be living with dementia and related challenges. PAC Training™ teaches how to live in relationship with a changing brain, by focusing on hands-on techniques that offer skills needed to improve quality of life for everyone involved.

“The class and certification has increased my knowledge and skills in caring for the person living with dementia. Concepts that we concentrate on are The GEMS®: Brain Change Model (Teepa’s dementia scale that uses the names of precious gems to rate the special abilities a person retains); Positive Physical Approach™ and Hand Under Hand™ (to connect with the person visually and verbally); and reflecting and connecting with the person living with dementia, as well as with the staff that we are coaching. It’s a full circle it takes using a telescope and a microscope,” said Jamison.

Jamison went through online video training prior to two days of classroom training with PAC Mentors and Teepa Snow. Post-training requirements included a follow up and coaching from mentors to complete the certification. She is now able to use what she learned through her training to help seniors who are living in the Chestnut Knoll community.

“My goal is to increase the Chestnut Knoll staff’s knowledge of dementia, as well as families of residents, and work with them on understanding the person living with dementia and what they can do instead of what they can’t do, to make connections and provide care in a positive way,” Jamison said.

The Positive Approach to Care™ encourages Care Partners to: respond to a person’s change in cognition and abilities in a way that is not hurtful or offensive; understand that common reactions to the person with dementia can become thoughtful responses that improve quality of life for everyone involved; recognize that the person with dementia is doing the best they can, and it is the responsibility of the Care Partner to change their approach to discover what can be done differently; and be aware of environments surrounding a person with dementia and make changes as necessary.

“We are very proud of Jennelle for her accomplishment and look forward to having her bring her newly learned knowledge to our staff and community!” said Barndt.

For more information about the Teepa Snow Positive Approach to Care™ and the certification Jamison received, visit www.teepasnow.com.

Chestnut Knoll staff members have the experience and knowledge to properly care for your senior loved one. For more information about Chestnut Knoll and how your family members can live life to the fullest, please call 610-473-8066.

Chestnut Knoll is an award-winning senior community, offering Personal Care and Memory Care residences at an affordable month-to-month lease with no buy-in fees. Services include 24-hour personal care assistance with medical support, meals, housekeeping, social events, transportation, and a state-of-the-art wellness program that provides ongoing therapy services, regardless of insurance coverage. Chestnut Knoll also offers At Home care services available to seniors where they live. Services include assistance with medication monitoring, personal care, companion care, light housekeeping and laundry, and transportation, to name a few. For more information on Chestnut Knoll Personal Care, Memory Care, or At Home Services, please call Jodie Daniels, assistant executive director, at 610-473-8066 or visit www.chestnutknoll.com.