ABOUT THE EDCON GROUP

Our guiding principles are to create environments where people with dementia live active lives in COMFORT and DIGNITY. We know there is an absolutely, direct correlation between how people with dementia are treated and the effort they make to participate and connect with others.

Although much of what we believe and teach could be used in any elder care community or setting, we have devoted our work to those who have memory loss. We teach a variety of concepts and skills to all people who impact the lives of those living with dementia, including families, family caregivers, health care professionals, nurses, and administrators among others.

Our work began with creating activities in which all people with dementia could participate and find joy. The activities are designed to involve hand-eye coordination, light conversation, participation in small groups, and laughter.

For us, the important tests of our concepts came when we visited care communities where we didn't know any of the residents and knew nothing of the routine programming. We were pleased but not surprised that we could get genuine participation in a matter of minutes. Especially gratifying were observations of staff members who later told us how they were amazed to hear residents (who were often silent and withdrawn) speak to us and join in on the action.

The major element, the hub if you will, of our workshops and convention presentations is daily communication. We have proven that the ways in which caregivers initiate communication will quickly determine whether the person with dementia will interact. Equally consistent is that the use of encouraging words and listening skills improves communication by helping people with dementia form words and sentences.

Ultimately, the skills of administrators and supervisors define the atmosphere of care communities. Virtually all administrators we have met know how to manage the regulatory matters including (but not limited to) state and local regulations, nutrition needs of residents, medication delivery precautions, etc. It is the management of Personnel Assets where team leaders often haven't had learning opportunities to develop skills for building strong, motivated staff members, resolving conflicts, and settling "turf wars."

A member of our group is one of the most respected management skills consultants in the US and Canada. He has 25+ years experience teaching skills like Finding, Interviewing And Hiring Top Quality People, How To Motivate Staff Members, The Correct Way Of Correcting (unacceptable behaviors), and How To Set And Accomplish Organizational Improvement Goals.

Whether you attend one of our sessions for families, health care professionals or leaders, our programs always include large, complete take-home material sets for participants to review and follow through. We're proud of program evaluations which consistently say things like:

"I've worked in this field for 30+ years, and no one ever taught me how to communicate this clearly and effectively with people who have dementia. It just makes sense and I'll use it."

"Although I'm a nurse and have worked in long-term care settings for many years, I hit the wall when I needed to care for my mother who is now showing signs of dementia. I wish I had known three years ago what you taught me today."

"How refreshing to find a young person (referring to Rachel) so dedicated and savvy about dementia care. Someone else's grandma is going to benefit from what you learned caring for your grandma!"

"What I liked is that everything I learned today can be used immediately. We don't have to go out and buy a bunch of stuff."

"It is so good to know I'm not the only one who struggled with the things you talked about. I felt like I was alone in a boat in the middle of the ocean."