Pioneer Network began 23 years ago when a group of committed, innovative and creative disruptors got together and began spreading the word that the world of aging, care and support needs to be focused on people and not the institution…. 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.
Quality of Life – for Whom?
Benjamin Surmi, Director of People and Culture, Koelsch Communities When my brothers were playing basketball in the street, I would find myself sitting at the feet of elders in my neighborhood – listening to fascinating stories of faraway places and times…. Read more
Mabel
Karen Schoeneman Mabel was tired, so very tired. After four decades of traveling and performing, she was ready to just retire and live in peace. But she had not been able to save, and was worried there would be no… Read more
Tired to Inspired
People are tired in senior living. One of the reasons turnover rates are so high in this field is because the work we do is so darn physically, emotionally, and mentally draining. Senior living provides some of the most rewarding… Read more
I’m Dying, but Here’s the Thing… So are you.
Article and Photos By: Michelle Olson, PhD, LCAT, ATR-BC, ACC/MC I had the joy and honor of raising monarch butterflies this past fall. I mean we all know that butterflies come from caterpillars. But to closely watch the process through every phase… Read more
A New Year’s Message from Penny Cook
Penny Cook, Pioneer Network President & CEO The dawn of a new decade, 2020. Have you thought to yourself as I have, how can this be? Weren’t we just worrying about Y2K? It’s said that we feel time passing more… Read more
Oh, the Places We Could Go – The Story of Mr. McNally and Me
Loretta Kaes BSN, RN, Director of Clinical, Quality and Regulatory Services, Health Care Association of New Jersey The first time I heard the story of Mr. McNally was at a Requirements of Participation (RoP) training presented by Dr. David Gifford… Read more
Self-Directed, Mobile Learning Inspires a New Generation of Caregivers
Keith Schaeffer Thanks to emerging technology, long-term care staff across entire organizations are starting to take learning into their own hands, and that’s a big step toward enabling a good daily life for residents. Staffing is a big concern at… Read more
Staying Connected in Today’s World: The Paradigm Has Shifted!
Joan Devine, Pioneer Network Director of Education Remember the days when it was only acceptable to have pierced ears – and only one hole in each ear? Or when tattoos had to be totally covered or you could not work… Read more
Empathy: A Key to Connection and Learning
Kathy Dreyer, Ph.D., AGE-u-cate® Training Institute Federal and state initiatives aimed at culture change and person-centered dementia care are calling upon providers to equip care partners with practical tools. Those tools must generate knowledge in providing person-centered care that creates… Read more
