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Let the Walls Fall Down Fall Webinar Series
Empowering Seniors
 

On Thursday, February 17, 2022, American Baptist Women’s Ministries hosted a webinar, Empowering Seniors. Are you taking care of a senior citizen? Are you looking into selecting senior care? If so, listen to our Empowering Seniors Webinar Recording to hear a panel of experts share how to care for seniors, senior self-care tips, and information on selecting senior care.

1. Keep seniors connected through new opportunities, letters/newsletters, making connections, and volunteering.
2. Take care of seniors in a COVID environment by calling them, teaching them how to use electronics, sharing photos, encouraging them to get outside and exercise, and answering their questions.
3. Encourage seniors to do self-care: Volunteer, travel, journal, learn new skills, and rediscover who you are.
4. When selecting a care facility for a senior loved one pray for wisdom, research the facility, and meet the staff of the facility
5. As a caregiver, even if your loved one is in a facility, carve out some self-care time: Carve out some time for an activity that brings you joy even if it’s only for 15 minutes.

 

Guest Panelist: Pamela Bridgeforth
Pamela Bridgeforth began her career as a physical therapist obtaining a BS in Physical Therapy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her initial work in acute care hospitals, home health, and nursing homes sparked her desire for advocacy for older adults, and she continued her education at Virginia Commonwealth University, obtaining a Master of Science in Physical Therapy, in a dual program combining courses from the Departments of Physical Therapy and Gerontology.
     After working in many settings along the continuum of healthcare (hospital, assisted livings, continuing care communities, home health), her interest in disability ministry, health and wellness, and healthcare access in the church and community-led to her enrollment at Union Presbyterian Seminary, where she obtained a Master of Arts in Christian Education.
     She utilizes these intersecting threads to see the 'whole person' as she works with older adults and families as a Care Coordinator at Senior Connections, the Capital Area Agency on Aging, sharing perspectives, options, and resources. Additional roles have included being a Care Transitions coach, Chronic Disease Self-Management and Matter of Balance facilitator, and advanced care planning ambassador.
 
 
Guest Panelist: Elaine Cody
Elaine Cody is a Life Coach who specializes in partnering with her clients to create strategies for transition. Whether it's from singleness to married, no children to mom, working woman to retiree, or gracefully aging, life is full of transitions. Her coaching revolves around the pursuit of clarity and establishing plans to create forward movement. She supports her client's intentions and helps them think deeply about what they want and why. Elaine believes that everyone is born to live with purpose and meaning at all stages of their lives.
     Elaine trained at The Institute of Life Coach Training. Believing that clarity empowers you to know what to do, she completed certifications in The Clarity Method ™ and Retirement Options ™ to meet the specific needs of her clients. In addition, she earned a Certificate of Ministry and Theology from Princeton Theological Seminary.
 

Guest Panelist: Rev. Dr. Deborah Stapleton
Rev. Dr. Deborah Leah Stapleton is an Associate Pastor, First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens, Somerset, NJ, and Hospice Chaplain. She received her Doctor of Ministry (DMin) and her Masters of Divinity (MDiv) from Drew University Theological Seminary, Madison, NJ.
      Rev. Stapleton also holds an MPA Baruch College, City University of New York; MA from Montclair State University; and a BA from Kentucky State University. She was a National Urban Fellow, Leadership NJ Fellow, and Harvard University Presidential Administrative Fellow.
      At First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens, she serves as a part-time staff member within the Pastoral Care Department. She also serves as an on-call Chaplain at RWJBarnabas Hospital, New Brunswick, NJ. In addition, she is a full-time Chaplain with Homeside Hospice, Clark, NJ.
     She has a Certificate of Ecclesiastical Endorsement as a Healthcare Chaplain from the American Baptist Churches USA. She completed 4 Units of the Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) at RWJBarnabas Hospital, accredited by the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education. Rev. Stapleton has a Certificate of Completion for Palliative Care Chaplaincy Specialty, from the California State University Institute for Palliative Care in Partnership with Healthcare Chaplaincy Network. She has a Clinical Certificate in both basic and advanced Bowen Family System Theories and Bowen Family System Theories as a Faith Leader.



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American Baptist Women's Ministries' webinars and recordings are free to watch, but donations are welcome.  Your donation will allow American Baptist Women's Ministries to continue providing programs, resources, and leader training for ministries with women and girls. Click here to make a donation.