Speaking Topics

Creating Consistency from Chaos

• Cross-Generational Management Trends
• Don't Put Me on Hold! How to Get Straight Answers
• Elder Care: How's That Working for You?

TOPIC

Cross-Generational Management Trends

Lack of "Knowledge Workers"

According to Peter Drucker's predictions, "The only fast-growing group in the workforce, in America, and in every other developed country, is 'Knowledge Workers'. The Knowledge Society is a society of seniors and juniors rather than of bosses and subordinates. ... because the supply of young people will shrink ... to attract and hold the growing number of older people (especially older educated people) ... creating new employment patterns will become increasingly important."¹ 

"Exposing ourselves to generational diversity can offer wonderful insight into how the world once was, how it is today, and where we all might be in the future. Families are more mobile than ever before, and suddenly parents, children, grandparents, and grandchildren are hundreds of miles apart. In most locations, we are losing our easy access to the diversity of perspective and the wisdom we derive from other  generations.²

According to corporate executives and meeting planners, the top five Management Hot Topics in the next five years include: knowledge management, filling multiple roles in the workplace, accomplishing multiple tasks simultaneously, inter-generational management, creating change skill sets and others. ³

Objective: Provide a positive framework that allows the cross-generational values of the communication process to move towards increased productivity in the workplace. These can be accomplished in the workplace by being a model of trust, removing egos, listening carefully, empathizing with others, exhibiting respect and kindness, speaking up and make yourself understood, being a motivator, and celebrating the success of others. 

Key Point: While we could be in any work situation where values or judgments differ, we need to work together, incrementally, toward achieving increased productivity.

¹ Drucker, Peter F. "Managing in the Next Society" St. Martin's Press. 2002.
² Lancaster, Lynne C., Stillman, David. "When Generations Collide" Harper Collins Publishers, Inc. 2002.
³ Source: Sandra Schrift, Founder of Speakers University, www.schrift.com.

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TOPIC

Don't Put Me on Hold!
How to Get Straight Answers.

Get What You Need from Your Health Care Professional

The concept for this educational module on communication effectiveness grew out of the National Family Caregivers Association's (NFCA) frustrations with the current "system" of care in this country that puts family caregivers in overwhelming positions and requires them to perform tasks that only ten years ago were overseen by doctors, nurses, and social workers.

Objective: To use more effective communication techniques with health care providers, so you can better advocate on behalf of your care recipient.

Key Point: Learn how to use the elements of positive assertive techniques when faced with unresponsive health care providers.

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TOPIC

Elder Care: How's That Working for You?

Aging Parents: The Seminar^tm

This seminar is based on the critically acclaimed, award-winning family resource from Lifetapes Communications, Aging Parents: The Family Survival Guide; and the PBS television broadcast, Aging Parents: Planning for the Future. These were all designed to help with national eldercare concerns.

• Handling a Crisis

Objective: To understand if you really have crises and how to gain control of the situation so you can plan for a more certain future.

Key Point: Once over the shock, gather all resources and start working with your support system.

• Getting Organized

Objective: To gather the information and resources needed to create a long-term action plan that maximizes your parents' independence.

Key Point: Understanding what needs your parent has and the planning they may have already done provides the beginning of a structured action plan.

• Distance Caregiving

Objective: Managing eldercare even if you live thousands of miles apart.

Key Point: Although distance may increase your anxiety, you can effectively help a parent across the miles through solid information and a support network.

• Family Dynamics

Objective: To provide a framework which allows us to begin communicating with our parents, siblings, and relatives to effectively start working together in order to help our parents and ourselves.

Key Point: Even though we are stuck with our family, we need to work together in order to help our parents and ourselves.

• Housing and Support Services

Objective: To introduce the broad range of living options known as the "continuum of care" and how to effectively explore each of them.

Key Point: As needs change, it's comforting to know that there is a wide range of housing options available from independent living to full-time skilled nursing care and even to end-of-life care.

• Business Side of Caregiving

Objective: To demystify the labyrinth of government programs such as Medicare and Medi-Cal, and explore private long-term care mechanisms such as long-term care insurance and Medi-Gap insurance.

Key Point: With proper planning, your parent can protect himself and heirs against financial disaster.

• Legal: Protecting Wishes and Assets

Objective: To explore the basic legal documents that every adult should have in place, regardless of age, in order that their wishes and assets are properly protected.

Key Point: Certain legal documents are critical to have to protect a parent's wishes and assets.

• Surviving Stresses of Parent Care

Objective: Combat denial, understand what we can and cannot do, effectively integrate parent care into our daily life, and seek out the support we need to survive.

Key Point: There is no formal training to prepare us for this part of life but you can survive and have a positive outcome.

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The materials used in this seminar were developed by Lifetapes Communications and are endorsed, recommended or distributed by the country's leading organizations in the field, including:

Lifetapes Communications Awards include: The Retirement Research Foundation's (Chicago) National Media Owl Award competition and the Silver winner of the International Television Association's SPECTRUMT™ Award.

Contact Blanche Katz now to discuss your
upcoming speaker, seminar or workshop need.

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