Mindfulness

Today I recorded voiceovers for a video we are working on. As I listened to the play backs all I could hear was my lazy speaking habits. “Imagine” was “’magine.” “And” sounded like “an’.” Ts sounded like Ds and I stumbled over three-syllable words because I so rarely have to speak them. It got me thinking about how much we do every day that we really don’t think about – that we do out of habit – and how much we miss out because we are “just getting it done.”

“Just getting it done” syndrome is common in institutional care. Routine tasks can rob us of meaning. Waking, breakfast, bathing, lunch, activities, dinner, bed. Each day the same as the last. These activities that make up residents’ lives just become a “to do” list to check off. No fun for caregivers and certainly no fun for elders. ( But on a deeper level, there is no respect or meaning given to the care provided which belittles what I think is one of the greatest joys and purposes of being human – giving. On the resident’s side, their well-being can be diminished to someone else’s way to make a living.) Of course we start out with the intent of giving care to our residents – of honoring them, making their lives easier, making them feel secure. But, time wears on, routine sinks in, we cut corners a bit and we give care without thinking.

The antidote: mindfulness. I was first made aware of the difference this makes when I started dating my husband. Wherever we would go, whatever we would do, he would engage those we came in contact with. At the grocery store, for example, when the checker would say, “Hello” he would look her in the face and say, “Hello. How are you?” and engage her in conversation making some comment about the weather or the produce. This sort of thing happened (and still does) at restaurants, theaters, on the phone with customer service reps even at the DMV. Suddenly the person who we were exchanging with became a person and not just an instrument in the transaction. And, it wasn’t just in our eyes, but his or hers as well. Anonymous woman scanning groceries becomes Ruth who notices we go through a lot of bread and shares her trick for pitting avocados. You can see her suddenly taking pride in the help she is giving us and we experience better service. Grocery shopping is not a mundane, routine task. It is sharing in something everybody does and a way to feel connected to humanity. Everyone involved is just a little more alive. Realizing this, I soon picked up the habit too.

Remember when you first started working at your facility? How you learned the ropes and paid attention to every little thing you did, making sure you did it correctly? How you were introduced or introduced yourself to the elders, establishing trust between you? Now, do you really think about the things you are doing? Do you take that trust for granted? Do you assume that because the elders are fed, bathed, dressed etc that they feel cared for? It’s OK. We all do it in all areas of our lives. Who doesn’t multi-task?

It’s OK because it doesn’t mean you are a terrible person and it can be remedied. When you say “Hello Ester. How are you?” stop what you are doing, look her in the face and really listen to the answer. When you are helping an elder with something, be focused on that task, not what you have to do next, not having a conversation with another staff member as if the elder was not there. If you let mindfulness into your life outside the facility as well, it too will become a habit. It will be the-way-things-are-done. Get started with this free handout and exercise on mindfulness.

Learning Circle

I suppose the best place to start is with the learning circle. An important communication tool in all stages of culture change, the circle makes everyone equal. The rules of the circle help those who typically talk and have the most authority be quiet and listen. And, it encourages those who are typically shy or don’t have much formal authority to speak up. It can be used as an activity just to get people talking or as a way to let everybody weigh in when there is a decision to be made. Here’s how it goes...

One person is chosen to facilitate

The facilitator poses a question or issue and asks for a volunteer

The volunteer shares his or her answer or view and then the person sitting to the right or left of that person goes next.

The process continues around the circle until all have shared.

There is no cross talk during this process

A person may choose to pass, but after everyone else has shared, the facilitator should offer that person another opportunity to express his or her view.

Once everyone has shared, the floor is open for general discussion.


Learning circles should be used often for best results. Regular use of learning circles creates an open and learning environment in your home. Remember, elders should be involved in the circle whenever possible. Try a learning circle with my first suggested topic... “What does home mean to you?” Keep checking back here for new learning circle topic ideas.

AP Learning Culture

The culture of culture change is a learning culture. We’re always taking in new information, letting it bounce around in our brains for a while and adjusting our behaviors and actions accordingly. It’s a work out for the mind. If I skip yoga practice for a while, the next time I do it I’m sure to struggle and be reaching for the ibuprofen bottle the next morning. However, when I keep on top of it, I stay limber, get a little better each time I practice and have more energy and strength for daily activities. This blog is designed to keep your learning in shape.

I’m Steph Kilen, a writer for Action Pact. I spend my days reading, interviewing people and writing on different aspects of culture change. In fact, even when I’m not “working” I’m often reading and writing and looking for new ways to expand my mind. I find the more I learn, the more I learn. One book leads to two, which leads to four, which leads to eight. My husband says my job is like constantly writing term papers for college. But truth is, since I do it every day, it is much easier than it was back in school.

Whether you are just discovering culture change or have spent years getting your facility into neighborhoods or households, this blog will help you continue to learn about your facility, your elders, your staff and yourself. We are never done learning in life or in culture change. When you practice learning in a (semi)formal way, you will be better prepared to learn and grow in your work and daily life. I’ll offer a new learning tool every week that will stay on the site for a month. So be sure to visit the site at least monthly! Also, look for new learning circle topics every few days. Don’t be surprised to find an occasional ramble from me on the topic du jour and please send me your questions, feedback and comments.