This book shares my personal journey in transforming Culture Change in Long Term Care and the impact that Person Directed Care delivery has in enhancing life. -Chapter I elaborates on the importance of leadership and its commitment to sustain culture change. -Chapter II focuses on elements that enhance our ability to understand our values, skills, and emotions. A leader that possesses emotional intelligence and self- awareness can deal with emotions effortlessly and is less likely to make poor choices due to irrational emotions. -Chapter III outlines how to bring about a more realistic strategic plan and build empowered teams.-Chapter IV expands on how teamwork creates environments that lead to greater productivity, creativity, and a feeling of ownership.-Chapter V describes the importance of leadership in a Person Directed Environment, which is grounded on humanistic values and shared power. Person Directed care involves a change in attitudes and philosophies about eldert care and quality of life. -Chapter VI goes over existing movements transforming Long Term Care.-Chapter VII explains regulatory support.-Chapter VIII elaborates on Culture Change as the most powerful journey that will transform an organization. It affirms the individuality of residents living in long-term care with an empowered staff that promotes physical & social wellbeing, values, and promotes relationships, mutual concerns, and personal bonds. -Chapter IX covers the significance of education and onboarding. A process that is ongoing. Building engagement from the first day until the employee becomes established within the organization.-Chapter X explains the term personhood. Many societies have an accepted perception to depersonalize those who have some form of disability, either physical or psychological, and ageism that causes dehumanization. Personhood is so poorly understood and yet a tremendously important concept to encapsulate in order to improve practices. Acknowledging the personhood of elders living with dementia has become one of the defining aspects of policy and practice in dementia care as are the new CMS guidelines.-Chapter XI teaches the implementation of the "I" care plan. The Person Directed Care Plans are the perfect compliment to a truly interdisciplinary work of art, which makes a meaningful difference in the lives of the elders and staff. The "I" care plan incorporates the intent of the regulation. Person Directed Care plans value personhood, respecting the individuality of the person regardless of their chronic aliments, and most importantly, diagnosis of dementia, where personhood is often denied.-Chapter XII recognizes that a Person Directed environment is based on a philosophy of care built around the needs of each individual including Flexible Medication Administration, and is contingent upon knowing the person through an interpersonal relationship. This paradigm shift in culture change is indispensable and vital. Otherwise, paradigm blindness would remain as a serious threat to the organization. - Chapter XIII defines shared governance as a structure and process for partnership, equity, accountability, and ownership. It puts the responsibility, authority, and accountability for practice-related decisions into the hands of the individuals who will operationalize the decision.-Chapter XIV addresses staffing, self- scheduling, and consistent assignments. These three areas are important to be managed in order to provide safe care.-Chapter XV refers to elders living with dementia; dementia as cancer may deprive and strip away the former self as we once remembered them. We must always remember that their personhood still remains intact. We must not be blindsided by the disease itself. We must learn to understand and see what lies beyond. Elders living with dementia deserve much more. A preserved personhood, meaningful life, love, respect, and dignity.
