aged care

Oh, the Pain … the Pain

One of my favourite quotes from the 1960s American television show, Lost in Space, was uttered by Dr Smith.

He would often cry ‘oh, the pain the pain’ when facing a difficult situation. It always provided me with a good laugh.

But it is not laughable when you are the one suffering pain.

Last year I was running our Aged Care Chair Training Level Two workshop which has a Pain Management component and I received positive feedback from a participant. He also provided me with information about two leading researchers in the area of ‘pain management’ who run conferences called Explain Pain.. Their next conference was scheduled for Christchurch, New Zealand later that year so I decided to attend to learn what the current Western research is on pain management.

While in Christchurch I also took the opportunity to deliver our own first international Aged Care Chair Chi Training Level One workshop after the Ease Pain conference.

Anyway, when I got back from the conference and with the help of my colleague, Sue James, I decided to create a workshop called Ease Pain … the Chi way using practical skills from Tai Chi and Chi Kung (energy work).

This year we launched our first Ease Pain … the Chi way in Sydney and it was well received. We’ve scheduled more workshops in various Victorian Country areas and interstate and I’m looking forward to our next Ease Pain .. the Chi way workshop in Echuca on the 25th of June. Here’s a link to our complete Australian and New Zealand 2018 schedule.

This particular workshop is designed for anyone, not just aged care staff.

So if you find yourself saying ‘Oh, the pain, the pain’ then come along to one of our workshop and learn how to ease the pain.

Chair Chi: Aged Care Training Workshops

By Chris 2 Comments

Well, it’s all happening again.

After a very enjoyable recent road trip to Brisbane and Sydney where I ran our public Aged Care Chair Chi Training Level One and Two workshops and also a Level One onsite workshop for a large aged care centre I’m hitting the road again.

I’m about to fly off to Adelaide, Hobart, Perth and Devonport – in that order – in just over a three week period to run our Aged Care Chair Chi Training Level one and Level Two workshops.

And when that’s done I think I’ll retire to the couch and do some couch chi 🙂

Here’s the schedule:

Adelaide: 9, 10
Hobart: 16,17
Perth: 23,24
Devonport: 30 Nov,1 Dec

The first day is Level One with the option of completing Level Two on the second day.

This is an ideal workshop for lifestyle staff, diversional therapists, carers, and physiotherapists

If you are interested in revitalising your residents then book here now so you don’t miss out!

Chair Chi: Dementia Unit – Part 2

By Chris Leave a Comment

Well, I delivered my first Chair Chi session for a dementia unit at an aged care centre.

As mentioned in the previous post Chair Chi: Dementia Unit – Part 1 it was the first time I worked with a roomful of residents with dementia. And it was no different to the many high care Chair Chi sessions I have run in the past.

Most of the residents did what they could as I always encourage them to do so – this focus helps empower and build self-esteem for those who have limited movement. The feedback I received afterwards was positive as the residents, staff, and volunteers enjoyed the session

I’ve been asked to come back again and work with this group for my next Chair Chi session at this particular aged care centre so I’m looking forward to it.

It’s always a good feeling after a Chair Chi workshop – there’s something positive that happens in each workshop for both the residents and myself.

Aged Care Chair Chi Training Level 1&2

By Chris Leave a Comment

Last call for anyone interested in attending our Aged Care Chair Chi Training workshops next week. If you’re interested book now to ensure your place.

Here are the details:

Aged Care Chair Chi Training Program
Ideal one day workshop/s for carers, diversional therapists, physiotherapists and/or lifestyle staff who would like to deliver a different meditative and exercise system, based on Tai Chi, for low care and high care residents.

Chair Chi Training is innovative and very different from other Chair and Tai Chi exercise programs:
– As well as incorporating practical skills adapted from Tai Chi, it draws on the principles and power of Appreciative Intelligence®.
– Its adaptability also makes it inclusive as it allows high care residents/clients to participate.

More information:
http://bjseminars.com.au/programs/chair-chi-training-program/

Workshop Details
Fee: $352 (includes GST) per workshop – includes comprehensive work book/manual
Location: Central Ringwood Community Centre, Bedford Park, Bedford Road, Ringwood, Vic
Dates: Mon 22 June (Level 1), Tue 23 June (Level 2)

Options
1. Attend Level One workshop
2. Attend Level One and Level Two workshops on consecutive days
3. Onsite workshops available – please contact us for details

About Facilitator/Trainer Chris Bennett
Chris is a Tai Chi teacher who has 27 years experience in learning and teaching Tai Chi. He is also a professional facilitator and trainer in the area of staff development.

During the past two years he has delivered over 350 Chair Chi workshops in Melbourne for both low care and high care residents in more than 20 aged care centres. He has trained aged care staff in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Brisbane.

Feedback from a Recent Workshop
‘Our residents are enjoying their new Chair Chi sessions and are very enthusiastic – they look forward to exercises on a Thursday and are seen performing some of the skills when walking up the corridor’!
Jennie Guthrie

Registration
Please register here to ensure a place in a workshop/s
http://bjseminars.com.au/shop/workshops/
(From this page you can add one or both workshops to your shopping cart)

We hope to see you there.

Chair Chi: Dementia Unit – Part 1

By Chris Leave a Comment

At one of my regular Chair Chi sessions for an aged care centre here in Melbourne, Australia, I’ve been invited to run a session for a dementia unit.

I have worked with residents who have mild to severe dementia but this will be the first time I’ll be involved with a specific group.

So far I’ve run over 350 Chair Chi workshops for low care and high care residents, trained staff in how to run Chair Chi sessions in Melbourne, Bendigo, Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane and am currently finalising a report on a Chair Chi Plus Pilot study I delivered at Berwick Craigcare Aged Care.

The more experiences I have, such as working with a dementia group, the more effective I can be in working with residents and staff.

And besides the experience, it’s also very enjoyable work.