Foundation Course Martin: Surfing the Age-Wave! PDF

FOUNDATION COURSE MARTIN Surfing the Age-Wave! This FOUNDATION COURSE is designed for professionals and businesses who serve older adults in the marketplace, aiming to enhance their understanding of becoming age-friendly service providers who respect and support the...

FOUNDATION COURSE MARTIN Surfing the Age-Wave! This FOUNDATION COURSE is designed for professionals and businesses who serve older adults in the marketplace, aiming to enhance their understanding of becoming age-friendly service providers who respect and support the needs of older adults. With practical examples and actionable tips, this course ensures you will have the knowledge base needed to offer compassionate and responsive engagement to your mature clientele. Welcome Meet Martin Living Life Sitting Down Wheelchair Etiquette 7 Things People in Wheelchairs Cope With Daily MARTIN: Summary of Learning KNOWLEDGE CHECK STUDY NOTES END ITEM 1 of 9 Welcome When we accommodate, we create environments where everyone can thrive. Rho nda Latreille, CEO , Age Friendly Business ®, Canada “ Welcome back! In this module I'd like to introduce you to Martin. He is a remarkable man who has lived with with a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis for 4 years. This disease is gradually impacting every aspect of his life and, like many who have mobility challenges, he must navigate the world each day with intentionality, always anticipating new challenges to overcome. ” Rick (Your Course Narrator and Guide) C O NT I NU E ITEM 2 of 9 Meet Martin The ocean seems to have a healing power, it reminds us of our resilience and strength. Ro bert Henri  “ Martin and his wife are preparing for their long-awaited trip of a lifetime, a two-week Mediterranean cruise. A dream come true. They want to go now before his MS advances any further.” Rick (narration) Impact of a disability... A physical disability puts limitations on a persons capacity to perform daily tasks and can have a significant impact on everyday living and functioning in society.  Many physical disabilities are also accompanied by chronic pain. From participating in activities they enjoy, to their experience of independence and autonomy, there is no area of life that is not impacted for a person with a physically disabling condition. The stress of managing these challenges can affect a persons' mental health, how they relate with others and how they engage in the broader society. A Hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles. ―Christopher Reeve “I do find it interesting that becoming physically disabled has had the power to affect not only my body but my mind as well. I've had to become mentally stronger as a direct response to my weakening body. In some significant ways I'm a stronger person now than I used to be... even though I need more help.” - Martin C O NT I NU E ITEM 3 of 9 Living Life Sitting Down Martin now uses a wheelchair when he is not at home. He is still learning to navigate the world sitting down... “ Martin is in his local department store looking for shirts and blazers for the cruise. The store is crowded with circular racks that are very close together. Martin is not able to navigate between the racks to find new clothes for the cruise.” Rick (narration) “ The service clerk notices that his wife, Elaine is limping while she pushes Martin's wheelchair. Elaine thanks her for noticing and shares that she is breaking in new shoes and feels a nasty blister developing. The clerk shows Elaine where there is a chair for her to sit down and then rearrange some racks for easier navigation. She also offers to reach some shirts for Martin to look at and consider trying on. Martin notices that the salesclerk knows the correct way to communicate with someone in a wheelchair. Let's see what she did right.” Rick (narration) MOBILITY AWARENESS  Communicating with a person in a wheelchair 00:05 (click for audio above) Let's look at some recommendations for communicating with a person in a wheelchair:  Point 1 Speak to the person 00:07 (click for audio above) Speak directly to a person in a wheelchair and not through their companion or associate.  Point 2 Speak eye to eye 00:05 (click for audio above) Squat down and speak face to face. Sit down for longer conversations.  Point 3 Focus on the person 00:03 (click for audio above) Focus on the person when you talk, not the wheelchair.  Point 4 Provide appropriate assistance 00:07 (click for audio above) A polite offer to help is acceptable. If the situation warrants it such as opening doors that do not open automatically.  Point 5 Make your space welcoming and safe 00:05 (click for audio above) Make sure your environment is open and safe enough to maneuver around in.  Summary A wheelchair is a great tool for mobility but it does not define the person. Respecting the etiquette of interacting with a person using a wheelchair shows your respect. “Being in a wheelchair is like seeing the lower half of the world. There is a bit of humor in it really. It's strange, though, how something that is supposed help me be included actually has the potential to make me feel more excluded. I'm always grateful when someone in the world sees me and engages appropriately. I actually feel like I've had a hug.” - Martin C O NT I NU E ITEM 4 of 9 Wheelchair Etiquette The human spirit is one of ability, perseverance and courage that no disability can steal away. unkno wn “ I think the most important thing I'd like to tell people who provide services to me now, is that though a person may have a  disability, they are not their disability.” - Martin C O NT I NU E ITEM 5 of 9 7 Things People in Wheelchairs Cope With Daily I bet you never thought of these issues that people in wheelchairs face... Dirt y Hands - wearing gloves helps of course they are not worn all the time. Get t ing Clot hing Caught - Bags, coats, skirts, backpacks... it all gets hooked and ripped! Sore hands and hand injuries - using our hands to drive wears them out T ight bat hrooms t hat require 10 point t urns - even wheelchair accessible bathrooms can be quite tight to navigate Never being able t o see in a mirror ! Fear of a wheelchair t ip or wheel get t ing st uck - This is always on ones mind when navigating uneven and rough terrain, or crossing over gaps kin the road. Old buildings, small doorways, public t ransit , f ear of elevat ors breaking... C O NT I NU E ITEM 6 of 9 MARTIN: Summary of Learning inclusivity means ensuring everyone, regardless of mobility, feels seen and valued. Rho nda Latreille, CEO , Age Friendly Business®, Canada Through meeting Martin you were introduced to some of the challenges people experience when navigating their lives in a wheelchair and to proper wheelchair etiquette. Your understanding and empathy will assist you in making service adjustments that will have a big impact on your clients who live with a physical disability. These practical examples outlined in MARTIN have focused on the unique needs of people in wheelchairs when they navigate the marketplace. Actionable skills needed to serve them effectively include:  Pract ice proper wheelchair et iquet t e. Understanding the challenges faced by wheelchair users ensures you are positioned to meet the unique needs your clientele. Show respect t hrough act ions. Meeting individuals at eye level and engaging with them directly, reflects genuine care and equality. Creat e inclusive spaces. Everyone benefits when environments are designed for accessibility. Monit oring f or saf et y. Becoming a customer advocate by monitoring for safety issues in your work environment and implementing safety measures. By applying these insights and strategies, you can create a more inclusive, respectful, and supportive environment for all your clients. “As a person who now uses a wheelchair most of the time, I am realizing how different the world looks. I think true respect is shown through actions, not just  words. Meeting someone at eye level demonstrates genuine caring and equality.” - Martin C O NT I NU E ITEM 7 of 9 KNOWLEDGE CHECK ITEM 8 of 9 STUDY NOTES ITEM 9 of 9 END Thank you for completing the course!