Beverly Harper, B.A., Psw Email & Phone Number

New Brunswick, Canada

Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada

Resident Care Experience• Provide professional personal support for seniors who have chronic, complex medical conditions including cognitive decline customizing care to residents’ preferences ensuring they feel respected, comfortable and well cared for• Conduct ongoing assessments informing management of potential risks or changes in health to ensure quality care• Promote resident independence in decision making, problem solving, physical health and mobilityCritical Thinking• Proven time management and problem-solving abilities; effectively manage care for residents as part of a team; meet deadlines in an environment with competing priorities and frequent interruptions from wandering residents and via cell phone from bed alarms, call bells, co-worker requests and registered staff inquiries• Engage resident and family emotions with patience, understanding and timing: acknowledge feelings, allow expression of emotion if appropriate, remain focused on task at hand; emphasize the positive in all communication• Aware of professional boundaries when resolving difficult situations and escalating to registered staff if necessary

Fredericton, New Brunswick

Simile was established to help families cope with challenging situations cognitive decline presented at home and in the community and grew into the Relationship Enhancement approach to care.Cognitive decline is used instead of “dementia” or “Alzheimer’s” to describe changes in an older person’s ability to think, reason and make plans. This term more accurately describes the physical symptoms of the condition and separates them from a person’s feelings and coping skills – their unique experience of their changing circumstances.I found the assumption that people who experienced cognitive decline were slowly disappearing didn’t reflect the reality I saw in the home.I focused on building a relationship with my clients, not on their behaviours, and we began to develop a rapport. Despite the progression of cognitive decline, clients began to trust and were able to learn – a new activity or to accept their diagnosis. We laughed and enjoyed each other's company.The support my clients received from members of their community was genuine and demonstrated to them that they belonged there.Research supported my view that people’s feelings remained intact despite the effects of Alzheimer’s on the brain (Strauss, 2001) and that there is a better framework than Alzheimer’s disease to explain the changes we see in someone – a challenging condition that puts you and your family in difficult circumstances you must adapt to (Whitehouse, 2008).The Relationship Enhancement Training Program is currently being developed for family caregivers and support workers. In future, community presentations will be offered providing the public with the tools they need to effectively support people who experience cognitive decline.

Personal Support Worker Certification, Health And Wellness, General, 85%

Personal Support Workers work in collaboration with members of healthcare teams. They offer compassionate and respectful care to clients.

Addictions Counselling And Community Services Worker Diploma, Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling

Designed to give students training in a variety of courses including psychology, pharmacology and interviewing techniques to give.

Pastoral Counselling Masters Degree Courses, Pastoral Studies/Counseling

The objective of the master’s program is to train specialists to counsel and guide couples or individuals with regard to their values.

Bachelor Of Arts (Ba), Sociology

Courses specialized in ethnicity, pluralism and culture.