Meet Kristin Elsbernd, Occupational Therapist
Kristin Elsbernd sought an organization where she could use her training in occupational therapy (OT) to improve the lives of seniors while emphasizing patient-centered care and evidence-based practices in geriatric OT.
As a doctoral candidate at the University of Mary, in Bismarck, North Dakota, Elsbernd was excited to learn that English Rose, a leader in dementia care and holistic resident care based in her home state, was willing to be the sponsoring organization for her capstone project, focusing on occupational therapy memory care.
This final graduation requirement enabled her to integrate classroom learning with an in-depth, on-site learning experience that underscored the importance of innovative therapeutic interventions in Alzheimer’s care and interdisciplinary collaboration.
The opportunity to work in partnership with English Rose allowed Elsbernd to advance in her profession through a community-based collaboration that prioritized improving the quality of life of the residents, focusing on resident-centered outcomes and effective remediation strategies for memory loss.
At the same time, she was positively impacting the daily activities of the residents by implementing cognitive rehabilitation techniques and adaptive, evidence-based activities that catered to individualized needs.
Why English Rose?
Elsbernd chose to work with English Rose in part because of its size, collaborative culture, and dedication to caregiver support. This meant she would have direct access to senior management, professional caregivers, and the residents, ensuring an immersive experience in patient-centered care and innovative OT techniques. Additionally, the organization’s focus on quality of life and personalized resident engagement in daily activities resonated with her professional passions, as she worked closely with therapists to implement effective strategies.
English Rose Intern
“I started by conducting a needs assessment, which involved interviewing the leadership team, surveying the caregivers, and considering the experiences of patients,” said Elsbernd. This approach, combining a thorough assessment of the facility’s operational dynamics with direct feedback from the interdisciplinary team, sharpened her focus on resident care and adaptive strategies.
Project Focus
Working closely with her on-site mentor, Katie Rinehimer, Director of Quality of Life, Elsbernd determined that her project would have a two-fold focus:
- Use her OT training to provide opportunities for meaningful engagement for residents based on their daily needs, harnessing innovative rehabilitation interventions that promote patient-centered, adaptive, and sensory integration techniques.
- Further educate caregivers of individuals with dementia at English Rose through structured, evidence-based training modules that enhance understanding of adaptive equipment usage, effective communication, memory loss management, and fall prevention strategies.
“Kristin brought a fresh lens to our day-to-day work, which provided us with new insights that we incorporated into our practice,” said Rinehimer.
With Elsbernd’s help, English Rose streamlined its daily activities by integrating personalized interventions and a holistic care approach, ensuring that each resident’s specific needs were met on any given day, thereby enhancing their quality of life. She also developed educational materials that help caregivers apply occupational therapy interventions in several areas of resident care, including:
- Adaptive equipment for feeding and nutrition
- Sensory integration techniques
- Dressing techniques that promote independence
- Safe body mechanics with transfers
- Fall prevention strategies through evidence-based methodologies
Personal Growth
“My experience in occupational therapy taught me skills and allowed me to work directly with residents to build rapport,” said Elsbernd. “Working in such an innovative and supportive environment has prepared me to build even stronger relationships with the patients I serve in the future as an occupational therapist. The blend of clinical practice and community engagement here has truly been a catalyst for my professional development.”
Of her time at English Rose, Elsbernd stated, “It would be great if every organization were as dedicated as English Rose. Everyone is checking in with the staff to make sure they are supported, and this accountability really benefits both the staff and residents.”
This experience not only emphasized the importance of a collaborative interdisciplinary team and ongoing caregiver training but also reaffirmed her commitment to improving the quality of life for patients with dementia in geriatric care through advanced rehabilitation, nutrition, remediation, and occupational therapy memory care practices.
