The WellSky Foundation Gifts $50,000 to Second Wind Dreams to Provide Educational Scholarships and Staff Training to Elder Care Communities
Internationally recognized nonprofit gains resources to address elder care staffing shortages and empower caregivers with access to programs focused on providing empathic person-centered care
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — June 3, 2021 — Today the WellSky Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to improving quality of life for vulnerable populations, announced it has gifted $50,000 to Second Wind Dreams®, a nonprofit organization recognized worldwide for its Virtual Dementia Tour® (VDT®) sensitivity training program, and its dedication to changing the perception of aging through the fulfillment of dreams. Second Wind Dreams will use the funding to provide educational scholarships and training to caregivers in underserved elder care communities.
These communities will have the opportunity to experience the VDT and the Dementia Aware Competency Evaluation (DACE®). VDT is an evidence-based program that allows caregivers to step directly into the viewpoint of their patients by temporarily altering their physical and sensory abilities, and mimics changes associated with cognitive deterioration. Providers can then use the DACE assessment to offer a benchmark of caregiving performance over time.
“It is our mission at Second Wind Dreams to change the perception of aging through our Dreams Program and our experiential dementia training,” shared Gwenyth Johnson, CEO of Second Wind Dreams. “WellSky Foundation has provided a generous opportunity to take this mission and these programs to the medically, geographically, and socioeconomically underserved elder care communities. This partnership will allow us to support the delivery of empathic person-centered care and participate in building age friendly communities.”
Programs like VDT and DACE also contribute to Second Wind Dreams’ mission of providing educational tools to further develop caregivers’ skillsets and create career advancement opportunities. With a growing staffing shortage, having caregivers who are trained and supported is critical to ensuring long-term support of elder care communities.
“Second Wind Dreams strongly aligns with the WellSky Foundation’s mission to partner with organizations working to address the social determinants of health. With this program, those suffering from dementia are made to feel understood, cared for, and supported — providing them with a critical social connection,” said Andrea Morgan, executive director of the WellSky Foundation. “The WellSky Foundation is proud to partner with Second Wind Dreams as they work to bring these transformative programs to care communities everywhere.”
In addition to their innovative dementia programs, Second Wind Dreams works to fulfill the dreams of seniors. Since 1997, Second Wind Dreams has made the dreams of more than 20,000 aging adults come true, resulting in a decrease in elder depression and increase in morale in elder care communities. The educational opportunities provided by Second Wind Dreams help make these hopes and wishes possible.
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About Second Wind Dreams
Second Wind Dreams® is an internationally known nonprofit organization changing the perception of aging through the fulfillment of dreams and the offering of the patented Virtual Dementia Tour® to help caregivers understand the physical and cognitive challenges facing those with dementia. Founded in 1997 by award-winning geriatric specialist P.K. Beville, M.S., the Atlanta-based organization is recognized as the first in the nation to focus on enhancing the quality of life for elders through the fulfillment of dreams. For more information, visit www.secondwind.org.
About the WellSky Foundation
The WellSky Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to improving quality of life for vulnerable populations by removing social barriers to health, recovery, and lasting wellness. The WellSky Foundation is an engine for change, financially supporting organizations that enable care and healing for people, regardless of their socioeconomic status. With a deep understanding of the social determinants of health, the WellSky Foundation partners with community organizations that are boldly addressing the top four socioeconomic factors affecting long-term wellness — housing, food insecurity, transportation, and isolation. The WellSky Foundation is committed to funding and supporting organizations that protect the people and communities they serve and create better outcomes for people in need. Together with our community partners, the WellSky Foundation is breaking down social barriers to health and wellness to build thriving communities. To learn more about the WellSky Foundation, visit WellSkyFoundation.org.
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