Lady-Links: Training Techniques

Two training sessions are required for ladies who want to become Lady-Links.  The first session deals with the basics of our Lady-Links program, plus information on dementia, and concludes with tips for successful communication with someone in cognitive decline.  The second session covers specifics on the visits we make, including what is expected before, during, and after the visit.  We incorporate the best of training techniques with technology-based learning, instructor-led interactive sessions, coaching/mentoring, printed materials, and role playing to make our training meaningful, inspirational and fun.

Our training was improved this year with the addition of an 11-minute video on “Understanding Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias” which was made by the Medical Director of our retirement community.

The video explains that dementia is a general term for symptoms like decline in memory, reasoning or other thinking skills.  Alzheimer’s is a specific brain disease that accounts for 60-80% of dementia causes.  Other types of dementia are discussed such as vascular dementia and Lewy Body dementia.  The stages of Alzheimer’s are included as well as documentation of  the importance of socialization in the lives of those with dementia.

Happy Talk, a presentation that targets verbal and non-verbal communication among friends, explains that the goals for Lady-Links who interact with their dear friends are very different from the communication goals that a family member or caregiver would have.  Our focus is on engaging our dear friends in enjoyable activities….we are not responsible for feeding, clothing, or basic daily living skills….so our training in communication is geared toward how to “celebrate the joy of conversation” by keeping what she can do, not what she needs to do, in mind.

Our training includes time for questions and answers, and time to hear insights about our program and the visits we make from current Lady-Links.

With role playing on Do’s and Don’ts of communication, how to engage our dear friends in making a craft or play a game, and how to socialize with our dear friends when we see them in and about our community apart from our visits….well, our training covers a lot of ground!

Each new Lady-Link is scheduled for dear friend visits with other current Lady-Links who serve as  mentors through the first several months.  Additional training occurs throughout the year through this website and with the speakers on cognitive issues our community schedules.  We have great support from our community’s Administrative Staff, our Medical Center, and our Resident Life Staff.  Our program is about to complete 9 years of enriching the lives of our dear friends with love and laughter from the compassionate ladies who are called “Lady-Links.”  Thank you Lady-Links for the joy you bring to others.