Institute for Person-Centered Care

Heartfelt Thoughts About Person-Centered Care
“Our elders are happier and more involved. The relationships between care partners and elders have blossomed. Care partners are taking more pride in their jobs and the well being of their elders. Families visit more and seem much more involved—they talk with the care partners more and are “welcome” in the households. The atmosphere in the households is so much nicer . . . more like family and home.”
~ Susan Moran, Neighborhood Coordinator, Beechwood Homes Getzville, NY

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank you [WNYAPCC] from the bottom of my heart for sharing your energy and enthusiasm. I am so excited to be given this opportunity to help change the face of aging. We at Loretto are very blessed to be working closely with the WNYAPCC.”
~ Karen Carroll, RN, Director of Green Community and Person Centered Care Transitions, Loretto’s Green Community Syracuse, NY

“I attended the Eden workshop to learn more about this [person-centered care] process. The workshop taught me not only about the importance of creating a person-centered care environment, but also a great deal about the human condition, myself and life in general. I obtained a lot more insight than I ever thought I would. Thank you for the wonderful experience. I am a better person for having attended this.”
~Trainee, Eden Conference at Our Lady of Victory, February 2010

“We have been very busy since our person-centered care training. We have begun work on numerous projects including Adopt a Resident, Expanded Birthday Celebrations and even redesigning the floor space of our common area. Thank you for helping us set things in motion. It has been one of the most valuable experiences of my adult life.”
~Michele Conklin, Marketing Manager, Cuba Memorial Hospital Skilled Nursing Facility Cuba NY

Some photos and video from recent WNYAPCC training:

Changes Through the Years Rolling Fields has now become our home Sometimes we are scared and other times we feel very much alone We may be older now and things may be harder to do But not too long ago we were once young just like all of you We also worked hard during the course of our lives We raised up our children and we loved our husbands and wives Some of us served our country protecting our flag so grand Some of us worked hard as farmers tilling up the land Some of us well ... to the children we did teach and on Sundays we would go to church and listen to our pastor preach We too enjoyed the simple things in life and we also faced our share of problems as well as times of strife To those whom we entrust with our care all we ask is that you treat us with compassion and that you are fair Life is so short as you will soon see Before you know it you'll be sitting here like my friends and me Meaning My caring friends and family who think that I'm "care free"; no further from the truth can those two small words be. These are things that still have tremendous meaning for me: Long summer days and colorful trees; not hearing your conversations about the birds or the bees. I enjoy Sunday afternoons, drinking a beer, watching a game. Unless a player drops the ball, then I call them bad names. I want to fold my own clothes and put them away; maybe even choose what I will wear for the very next day. I wish I could bake homemade cookies for the grandkids to eat. When they come to visit, they would love that special treat. I'm not fond of BINGO and other types of games; to me they aren't much fun. I'd rather plant a garden in the bright, warm summer sun. I want to wake up in the morning and rise all on my own; to see the sun shining and know this place is my home. A Psalm of Elders My care partners are beside me, I shall not want. You let me rest when I am tired, When I cannot finish, you help. Your patience is comforting. You tell me your news, I tell you mine. We laugh, we cry. Even though my body is failing and I no longer walk the halls, I fear no falls, For you are with me; your strong arms guide and support me. You nourish my body as well as my soul, You steady my hand. You fill my days with laughter and meaning, My heart overflows. Surely your goodness and love will sustain me the remaining days of my life And I shall be content in this home of Elders.	Poem written by: Gary Biles Husband of Shelly Biles Dogwood Street Caregiver Poem written by: John Durno Julie Andrews Donna Hughes Eden Alternative Training at Weingberg Campus December 2010 P oem written by: Anne Van Benschoten Director of Admissions Briody Health Care Facility Lockport NY
Click the photo above to view the video from the February 22nd Eden Training at Our Lady of Victory, Lackawanna NY. Click here for the song lyrics.	Demonstrating Principle Seven: Medical treatment should be the servant of genuine human caring; never the master.
	Demonstrating Principle Three: Loving companionship is the antidote to loneliness.
	Demonstrating Principle One: The three plagues of loneliness, helplessness and boredom that account for the bulk of suffering among our elders.
	Demonstrating Principle Two: Creating a human habitat and building relationships that provide the young and old alike with a pathway to a life worth living.
	Demonstrating Principle Five: Creating an an environment where unexpected and unpredictable interactions and happenings take place.
	Demonstrating Principle Three: Loving companionship as the antidote to loneliness. Elders deserve easy access to human and animal companionship.