When I was in corporate America, the companies I worked for invested a lot of money in employee education and development.
Part of the reason this is on my mind right now is because I saved all of my training manuals and just had the opportunity to go through them.
I can see how training for senior and family caregivers may be even more important than training for employees was in my past career. Growth in the senior industry is causing lightning-fast change. It can be challenging to keep up, whether as an industry professional or as a senior or family caregiver.
Those who don’t work in the senior care industry may not be aware that in our community we have dedicated professional organizations taking on the valuable role of training and education.
Moving Seniors Forward (www.movingseniorsforward.org) is a Ventura County and San Fernando Valley network of professionals (one representative per profession) offering services, products and information for seniors and their families.
The group helps clients by linking together as network of professionals from multiple disciplines to solve client problems. It provides training to the senior community and baby boomer generation through seminars on such topics as emergency preparedness for seniors or dealing with Type 2 diabetes. The group’s mission is to “enhance the lives of seniors.”
Conejo Senior Resource Network ( www.conejochamber.org/pages/ConejoSeniorResourceNetwork) was founded in 2012 by the membership leader of the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce. All CSRN members are senior service providers as well as members of the Chamber. Together they offer information, education and services for the senior population, their families and adult caregivers in the Conejo Valley.
They offer community presentations on topics that are offered in the workplace as well in service and faith organizations, such as 10 signs an aging loved one needs help, having “the talk” with aging loved ones, self-care for the caregiver and when a crisis happens.
At the monthly meetings, the network shares important developments in the senior industry with one another.
Senior Community Outreach Professionals for the Elderly (www.scopevc.com) is a Ventura County-based group of individuals and organizations dedicated to exchanging information and sharing news among professionals on such topics as senior housing, medication management and senior oral health. Funds collected at meetings and other SCOPE events, after expenses, are donated to organizations and individuals that assist Ventura County seniors.
Ventura County Homecare Association Inc. (http://vchainc.org) is a group of local professional organizations dedicated to providing quality care and supporting the home-healthcare industry through education and advocacy.
Its mission is to enhance the effectiveness of the home-care delivery system through professional education, legislative advocacy, peer networking and support systems.
It advocates for the patient’s right to have quality coordinated healthcare and encourages patient care with dignity. The group also hosts presentations for its members on a number of topics. In addition, the it holds an annual fundraiser to support programs for at-risk seniors in the community.
Many of the roles in the senior care industry are unregulated. It is empowering and gratifying to see the leaders and members of these organizations taking on such an important teaching and professional advocacy role.
If you are in need of a senior care professional, a good place to start may be with a member of one of these four organizations.
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