Lori Porter, Co-Founder & CEO National Association of Health Care Assistants (NAHCA) I have spent 40 years working in long-term care services, first as a dishwasher, then to a certified nursing assistant (CNA), a certified medication tech, a certified activities… Read more
Pioneer Networking and the Culture Change Movement
We are glad you are interested in staying up to date with the latest news and events in the culture change movement. Check back here regularly to read blog posts from both Pioneer Network staff and other culture change and person-directed care experts.
Putting Validation into Action – A Very Personal Story
Vicki de Klerk, Validation Institute Ed Feil was a mild-mannered man best remembered by folks who knew him as a kind, warm fellow with a hearty laugh, a generous and playful disposition. Those who didn’t know him personally, knew him… Read more
The Darkest Hour Is Right Before The Dawn
Jeff Jerebker, Sage, Co-Founder Live Oak Project My former company, Piñon Management, conducted many Eden Alternative three-day training sessions for everyone on the nursing home team. CNAs were encouraged to attend and many did so. Contemplating the challenges of being… Read more
The Artifacts of Culture Change (ACC) 2.0 and ACC – AL
An Interview with the developers, Karen Schoeneman and Carmen Bowman Karen, can you tell us how the Artifacts of Culture Change came to be? Karen: As a founder of the culture change movement and Pioneer Network, I developed a… Read more
Are There Do’s and Don’ts When it Comes to Dementia?
Brian LeBlanc Reprinted with Permission from “A Bit of Brian’s Brilliance: Stories and Experiences as I Journey on with Alzheimer’s!” Shortly after I was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in 2014, I came up with my tag line, “I Have Alzheimer’s… Read more
A New Year…New Learning
“FUN + Learning = The Best Educational Experience” ― Tamara L. Chilver Joan Devine, RN, BSN Director of Education, Pioneer Network When we think about learning, our thoughts often go to the formal education we receive in school, or perhaps the… Read more
Why We Need More Quiet Strength
Meaghan McMahon, MSW Research Director, Linked Senior Often when we think of strength, we think of it in the physical sense. A person is strong if they can run a long distance without a break, lift something heavy with ease… Read more
A Thanksgiving Message From Pioneer Network’s President & CEO, Penny Cook
As we approach Thanksgiving, I reminisce about why it’s my favorite holiday. I love that in my family we gather without the exchange of gifts, without commercialism, and enjoy each other’s company while cooking, eating and then usually, eating again…. Read more
Empathy, Now More Than Ever!
Jill Golde, Senior Vice President, Language of Caring, A Branch of Planetree International It’s a new day. The ongoing coronavirus pandemic, political turmoil and revelations about systemic racism have been heart wrenching for staff, residents and their families. In senior… Read more
Let’s Get Serious About the Pandemic’s LTC Mental Health Price Tag
Dan Cohen, MSW After six months of being restricted to her room in assisted living, my mom said this: “It’s a deadly life. Nothing to look forward to except the same. I don’t see anybody.” Her feelings are shared by… Read more
