Goal: We will explore what it means to Flourish in a Season of Surrender

• Graced crossroads and God’s call to choose life.
• The inner work of transformation
• Soulwork of grieving
• From provisional to purposeful living

This webinar will explore what it means to flourish in a season of surrender. Religious Life is facing a graced crossroads. In light of the unrelenting losses that men and women religious are facing as an aging population, is it even possible to flourish? Dr. Dunn will explore what it takes to choose life, find meaning, and to engage in “mature surrender.” He will discuss the importance of the inner work of transformation and the soulwork of grieving. And he will share the key distinctions between living a provisional versus a purposeful life.

During this unprecedented time, we have learned much, and we will continue to learn as we face this pandemic.

During this workshop, three Communities will share their experiences and the changes they have made in order to address the many challenges caused by this virus. They will share their stories of understanding the need for transformation, implementing practical procedures and processes, and learning positive lessons from their experiences.

This webinar is designed for individual members of Congregations as well as leadership and healthcare providers.

Is It Alzheimer's? 

There are multiple diseases that can cause dementia, which is an umbrella of symptoms that affect memory, thinking and can make daily life very complicated. Since more than one disease can cause dementia, it can be difficult to decipher what is actually causing the dementia. Alfred W. Norwood, BS, MBA, will describe:

• How Alzheimer's disease (the most common disorder that causes dementia) affects the brain
• Causes and effects of Alzheimer's disease
• How caregivers define resident quality of life

Is It Alzheimer's? 

There are multiple diseases that can cause dementia, which is an umbrella of symptoms that affect memory, thinking and can make daily life very complicated. Since more than one disease can cause dementia, it can be difficult to decipher what is actually causing the dementia. Alfred W. Norwood, BS, MBA, will describe:

• How Alzheimer's disease (the most common disorder that causes dementia) affects the brain
• Causes and effects of Alzheimer's disease
• How caregivers define resident quality of life

Identifying Your Inner Leader

It is a challenging task to be in a leadership position. You are directing a team and leading others by example. Author Thomas Mann once said, “If you don’t understand yourself, you don’t understand anybody else.” Terrance McGuire, Ed.D begins this session by asking, “Does knowing who you are benefit you as a leader?” In this insightful talk, Mr. McGuire discusses the importance of knowing who you are as a leader because, as a leader, you have the ability to influence people in your personal and work lives. He offers a reflective discussion on how finding your inner leader is not only a spiritual journey, but a journey that takes time to feel secure in a new leadership role.  In this presentation we will discuss: 

• How knowing yourself can help you to be a better leader
• The 5 principles of developing your inner leader

This webinar will outline some concrete steps that are available to all to help restore and heal the mind, body and spirit that are impacted by compassion fatigue, at any time, but particularly in this time of COVID-19.

This webinar is designed for individual members of Congregations as well as leadership and healthcare providers.

Webinar Description

This webinar discusses the differences between Alzheimer’s disease and dementia while exploring how depression and delirium also differentiate from dementia. It is broken down into two parts:

Is It Alzheimer's? 

There are multiple diseases that can cause dementia, which is an umbrella of symptoms that affect memory, thinking and can make daily life very complicated. Since more than one disease can cause dementia, it can be difficult to decipher what is actually causing the dementia. Alfred W. Norwood, BS, MBA, will describe:

• How Alzheimer's disease (the most common disorder that causes dementia) affects the brain
• Causes and effects of Alzheimer's disease
• How caregivers define resident quality of life 

The 3D's: Depression, Delirium, and Dementia

Depression, delirium and dementia can be difficult to differentiate. It is important that caregivers understand typical resident behaviors so that they accurately observe any changes. Understanding the resident ensures he or she is appropriately treated for depression, delirium or dementia. This provides valuable insight to the healthcare team on the differences between these three diagnoses. You will learn:

• About dementia and other common diseases of aging
• Depression and its causes and symptoms
• How depression differs from dementia and how to help
• Delirium and its causes and symptoms
• How delirium differs from dementia
• Improper medication use as a source of delirium

More Information

If you have any questions or concerns about this program, please contact us at support@avilainstitute.org. 

Registrants seeking continuing education will be asked to watch the live webinar in full, pass a post-test, and submit an evaluation form. 

• Administrators (NAB): This program has been approved for Continuing Education for 1.25 total participant hours by NAB/NCERS— Approval #20210421-1.25-A66823-DL.

• Catholic Chaplains: The National Association of Catholic Chaplains has approved this program for a total of 1.0 Continuing Education Hours.

• New York State Social Workers:  Avila Institute of Gerontology, Inc. is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #0265. Participants can earn 1.0 contact hours.

Ageism is a type of discrimination that is formed based on someone’s age. Ageism does not only affect mature adults and elders, but also affects the younger age groups. This in-service will take a look at what ageism is and how it affects the way we see aging. It will also discuss how and why we stereotype each other based on different age groups, and the affects  on our social lives, health and workplace.

This in-service will cover:

1. What ageism is and how it affects the way we see aging
2. How we stereotype each other based on different age groups
3. How ageism affects the workplace, our social lives and health

This in-service kit includes:

• A recorded video of the in-service (internet access required)
• Lesson Plan (PDF) Presentation slides and script (Microsoft PowerPoint File)
• Presentation handout as slides and notes (PDF)
• 4-page summary of presentation (PDF)
• Pre-test (PDF)
• 4 post-tests with 5 questions each and answer key (PDF)
• Follow-up (PDF)
• Certificate Template (PDF)

This ready-to-teach in-service package includes all the pieces needed to teach a 25-minute in-service.

In-Service Topic "Well-Being and Dementia"

Well-being is a subjective indicator of the quality of life, unique to the individual. It points to the physical, psychological, social and spiritual aspects as the main aspects of human existence, which are closely involved in the development of human beings. Dementia affects every facet of the person including his or her self-perception, status, mental health and faith in God. How does one experience well-being in dementia? Caregivers searching to improve residents’ well-being while living with dementia’s will find information in this in-service valuable:

• Spiritual well-being: What is it and does dementia affect it?
• Psychological well-being and how to keep a sense of self throughout progression of dementia
• Using creativity to achieve well-being:dancing, art, music, and poetry in each of the stages of dementia
• Relationship-based care principles to preserve a sense of self throughout dementia

This in-service kit includes:

• A recorded video of the in-service (internet access required)
• Lesson Plan (PDF) Presentation slides and script (Microsoft PowerPoint File)
• Presentation handout as slides and notes (PDF)
• 4-page summary of presentation (PDF)
• Pre-test (PDF)
• 4 post-tests with 5 questions each and answer key (PDF)
• Follow-up (PDF)
Certificate Template (PDF)

This ready-to-teach in-service package includes all the pieces needed to teach a 25-minute in-service.

In-Service Topic "Achieving a Work-Life Balance"

Health care professionals often work in a physically, mentally, and emotionally taxing environment, often leading to burnout or caregiver fatigue. These outcomes have an effect not only on the professional lives of those working in health care, but also on their personal lives. Disruptions in routines such as sleeping, eating, or exercising can have damaging effects on our health. Though it is unlikely for health care professionals to escape all stressors associated with their work, it is possible to reduce negative stress by ensuring that it is counter weighted by actions that bring joy and relief.

In this in-service, caregivers will learn:

• The importance of creating balance between ones’ personal and professional lives
• Helpful steps and strategies for achieving work-life balance such as setting boundaries on your time, discussing changes with loved ones, etc.
• Tools employees can use such as the Time Management Matrix and the ADPI Action Plan (additional tool handouts are included)

This in-service kit includes:

• A recorded video of the in-service (internet access required)
• Lesson Plan (PDF) 
• Presentation slides and script (Microsoft PowerPoint File)
• Presentation handout as slides and notes (PDF)
• 4-page summary of presentation (PDF)
• Pre-test (PDF)
• 4 post-tests with 5 questions each and answer key (PDF)
• Follow-up (PDF)
• Time Management Matrix (PDF)
• ADPI Action Plan (PDF)
• Certificate Template (PDF)