At the forefront of providing compassionate care for those suffering from dementia, Capstone Hospice is leading the way with innovative solutions like their powerful dementia simulation training. Emphasizing empathy and understanding, CEO Hugh Henderson has brought in the AGEucate Training Institute to provide simulations which will allow his staff gain an authentic insight into the experience of living with dementia.
Capstone Hospice is leading the way in providing innovative solutions to combat dementia. With more than 311 patients, 60% of whom are living with dementia, they have become a go-to provider for those in need of hospice care. CEO Hugh Henderson emphasizes that this is no small feat, noting that “It’s empathy overload.” To better help people understand what it might be like to have dementia, Capstone Hospice has developed a powerful dementia simulation training. With their exemplary efforts, they are pioneering an understanding of this growing condition and helping to bust the myth that hospice care is only for the last few hours or days of someone’s life.
Henderson, who has been in the hospice care business for an impressive 30 years, has noticed a shift in the needs of his patients. As treatments for cancer have advanced, neurological illnesses have outpaced them, requiring Henderson to adjust the way he provides care to meet the needs of those suffering from Alzheimer’s dementia or other forms of dementia. To help his staff better understand and care for these individuals, Henderson brought in the AGEucate Training Institute. Through powerful simulations, participants can experience first-hand what it is like to suffer from dementia, using headphones to simulate the inability to filter out background noise, glasses to simulate tunnel vision, and gloves to make fine motor tasks more difficult.
With these tools, the AGEucate trainer calls out instructions for participants to follow, allowing them to gain an understanding of how it feels to live with dementia and how best to care for those experiencing it.
The simulation also helps in finding solutions for complicated issues. After the immersive experience, participants come together to discuss how they felt and what practical changes they could make to improve the situation. Greer Thompson, Staff Development Coordinator and RN with 30 years of experience, 10 of those in hospice, is responsible for orienting and onboarding new Capstone employees. Her goal is to empower her team with empathy, patience, compassion and understanding when taking care of those who need help.
Thompson’s team discussed how to make the bathing process easier and more comfortable for patients, making sure to keep them covered and warm the shower beforehand. These considerations have already made a positive difference in how Capstone provides care.
However, they also discussed a possible solution to the issue of people reaching for someone else’s plate at mealtimes. Thompson suggested that perhaps they need a bigger table so that patients can more easily see their own plates from across the room. With this insight, Thompson’s team could have an impact on how the Capstone facility provides care in the future.
They also discussed providing plates that are a different, high-contrast color than the table or placemat to help with depth perception, further enhancing the dining experience for the benefit of those living with neurodegenerative diseases. Thompson’s team has been able to identify creative and effective solutions to improve the quality of life for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions.
Paul Angehr and his daughter have experienced firsthand the priceless value of Capstone Hospice’s care for his wife, Patricia, who has been living with late-stage dementia for three years. Through their simulation, Paul and his daughter were able to gain insight into the world of someone living with neurodegenerative diseases. As a result, they identified creative solutions, such as providing plates which are a different, high-contrast color than the table or placemat, to improve the quality of life for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative conditions. Paul proudly reflects on the impact of Capstone Hospice and expresses his gratitude for the peace of mind it has brought him and his family.
He highly recommends the training to everyone involved in care and support for individuals living with dementia.
Henderson proudly states that the training is a proactive way for Capstone to ensure they are prepared to provide a peaceful and comforting environment for their new hires.
Thanks to the vision of CEO Hugh Henderson and the hard work of Capstone Hospice, dementia patients can receive innovative, comprehensive nursing care. Henderson’s proactive efforts to introduce dementia simulations into the hospice have helped develop the effective interventions necessary to improve the quality of life for his patients, and have inspired others to better understand the condition by dispelling the common myth that hospice is reserved for the end of a person’s life. Through its example, Capstone Hospice stores bring new hope to those living with dementia, galvanizing other health care providers to provide wiser patient care.
