Randy L. Griffin, RN, MS, HNC, is an expert in the field of dementia care. With more than 30 years of experience—ranging from nursing and nutritional services to program development and health care administration—Randy is pioneering the practice of “intentional caregiving” for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Her approach centers on treating the whole person, not just the individual’s symptoms, by creating a culture rich with emotional nourishment. Her book Changing the Culture for Dementia Care, published by PESI Health Care, is now available on Amazon.com, Pesihealthcare, and Barnes & Noble.
Randy’s programs and models have set new standards in caring for patients with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias while educating their families and caregivers. Randy recently developed “The Trusting Touch,” a Webinar that teaches the importance of intentional actions and verbal communications during such activities as bathing, dressing and dental care. Randy also is the author of “S.A.F.E. Response Techniques in Crisis Situations,” a four-step process to show staff how to safely handle agitation and address aggressive behaviors when caring for people with dementia. In addition, Randy has developed innovative dining programs for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
Earlier in her career, Randy was the Director of Nutritional Services for the Connecticut Hospice, the first free-standing hospice in the U.S. While working for the hospice, she developed one of the first sensory-enhanced pureed cuisine culinary programs for terminally ill individuals. She also authored the first published cookbook on the formation of sensory-enhanced purees. Later, Randy was the Associate Director of the Alzheimer’s Resource Center and also served as its Director of Education, Training, and Research. Her background in nursing and culinary training as a chef in Paris provided the impetus for her innovative approaches to nursing care, dining creations, and culture change for long-term care facilities. “Dining with Grace” is one of the programs she created specifically to enhance the dining experience for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
Randy is also a Certified Holistic Nurse, Reflexologist, and Therapeutic Touch practitioner and instructor. Randy’s DVD, An Introduction to Therapeutic Touch, was released in June 2012. Recognized as an expert in the fields of dementia and hospice care, Randy lectures and leads workshops nationwide while providing consulting services to health care facilities. For more information about Randy, please visit: www.randy-griffin.com.
