At the Fleischman Residence/Blumberg
Plaza Brown Memory Care Pavilion every day brings a new opportunity and a new
challenge to connect with those living with dementia and other cognitive changes.
We see how memory loss reshapes daily life, how simple tasks can become
overwhelming, and how communication often shifts from words to gestures,
feelings, and presence. But most of all, we see the human being underneath the
diagnosis, still rich with history, emotion, and the need for meaningful
connection. We see this too at Coville Assisted Living and Memory Care in Oak Park.
Team JSL has always led with heart.
But we know that compassion alone isn’t enough. The growing complexity of
memory care calls for more than just good intentions, it demands specialized
skills, a deeper understanding of the brain’s changing landscape, and
strategies that truly meet people where they are.
That’s why we’re embarking on a
transformative journey: bringing the Positive Approach to Care™ (PAC) into
our memory care communities, training key staff in this gold-standard dementia
care philosophy developed by world-renowned expert Teepa Snow. We believe this
training will not only elevate the quality of care we provide, but it will also
redefine who we are as an agency.
The Positive Approach to Care isn’t
just another training program. It’s a philosophy and practice, and a way of
being present with people living with cognitive changes. PAC equips caregivers
with the knowledge to interpret what a person might be trying to communicate
with their actions, to de-escalate moments of confusion or distress, and to use
techniques that preserve dignity and autonomy.
From learning how to use body
positioning and tone of voice to eliciting cooperation, to understanding the
sensory and motor changes that affect daily functioning, PAC training offers
practical, respectful tools that change how care is delivered and how it’s
experienced.
One of the foundational elements of
PAC is recognizing that the person living with dementia is doing the best they
can. It’s our role, as JSL Care Partners, to adapt and respond in ways that
support each person’s remaining abilities. This shift from trying to “fix”
behavior to trying to connect can change everything.
We’re not just looking to train a few
individuals. Our goal is to build a PAC-informed culture throughout the Brown
Memory Care Pavilion and Coville Assisted Living and Memory Care. We already
employ staff in The Dorothy and Peter Brown Jewish Community Adult Day Program who
are trained in PAC. We plan to train several key staff members to become
PAC-certified champions, coaches and trainers and to spread this philosophy
throughout JSL.
Our JSL Vision is a staff of PAC leaders.
These leaders will then guide and mentor their colleagues, ensuring that the
entire team grows in skill, confidence, and cohesion.
To bring this vision to life, we are funding
PAC training for our staff. The training is comprehensive, hands-on, and
deeply impactful and will include:
- Tuition and certification fees
for staff PAC Champions, Coaches and Trainers
- Resources and materials for
ongoing staff development
- Time and support for staff to
attend intensive training sessions
- On-site coaching to integrate PAC
into our daily routines
We believe this investment will create
lasting change, not just in how we care, but in how we lead in memory
support services across our region.
We’ve
already seen the seeds of transformation. One of our nurses recently described
how learning just a few PAC techniques helped her turn a moment of confusion
into one of shared laughter with a resident. “It changed how I looked at her,”
she said. “It changed how I saw myself as a caregiver.”
Dementia
may change the brain, but it doesn’t erase the person. It doesn’t remove the
need for empathy, dignity, or joyful connection. And with PAC, we can meet
those needs with greater skill, compassion, and confidence than ever before. Thanks to generous support, we’ve already received some
funding to bring PAC training to JSL…but we still need your help! Every
contribution brings us closer to making this a reality. Join us and be part of
the impact.
Together, we can empower our team.
Together, we can transform lives.
SHABBAT SHALOM.
