According to the United Nations, this year the number of centenarians is expected to rise to approximately 573,000 worldwide, with the US being home to 97,000 centenarians — the highest absolute number in the world. The unique nutrient needs of these aging individuals is a new frontier. Life expectancy in 1921 was 60 years for men and 61.8 years for women. In just 100 years, we have increased the life expectancy to 76.2 years for men and 81.2 years for women.  

While we are all living longer, we are living longer…older. This program will explore the changing physiology and the resulting unique nutrient needs of the body during the aging process. As we age, our caloric needs decline. This means that it is important for all foods and snacks to be nutrient dense. Healthy and practical snacks will be explored, along with discussing how to keep the lines of communication between Food Service providers, Registered Dietitian Nutritionists and Eldercare providers open, as it is essential to ensure the healthy potential of all residents in our care.

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.

With over 43 million caregivers in the US, it is very likely that many of us will experience the joys and challenges of providing care for a loved one at some point in our lives. Caregivers consistently report that caregiving can be one of the most stressful, yet also the most meaningful roles they have ever undertaken. Approaching caregiving as a spiritual endeavor can increase the likelihood that the role will be fulfilling, nourishing, and possibly transformative. This webinar will look at the caregiving landscape in the US and then take a close look at one of the best spiritual guides for the transformative power of caregiving, author and Catholic priest Henri Nouwen. After exploring Nouwen’s unique vision for caregiving, we will focus on the necessity of self-compassion to avoid caregiver burnout. Webinar participants will learn a self-compassion practice for use in their own caregiving roles. 

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

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

Becoming a Reflective Leader and an Effective Mentor 

Leadership and mentoring are important skills for all staff to strengthen. Building this skillset can increase collaboration and productivity, helping staff to handle everyday challenges with confidence. The reflective leadership method can provide personal insight to the way staff approach, understand, and resolve events in their work. In this in-service, presenter Terrance McGuire, Ed.D will discuss reflective leadership and the qualities for an effective mentor. This section will cover: 

• What reflection is and why it’s important 
• Reflection IN action and reflection ON action 
• How reflection can make a better leader 

• The 4-step model for reflective leaders 
• Why effective leaders make good mentors 
• What makes a good mentor 
• 7 skills of an effective mentor

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 1.00 total participant hours by NAB/NCERS— APPROVAL #20210521-1.00-A67280-DL

• Catholic Chaplains: The National Association of Catholic Chaplains has approved this program for a total of .75 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 up to .75 contact hours.