Vince Amazona Honored As 2020 Future Leader

We are proud to announce Vince Amazona, LVN, and Care Indeed’s Specialized Trainer, was honored this week as one of Aging Media Network’s 2020 Future Leaders in Home Health and Home Care for his trailblazing work on the CI-VR Program.

Aging Media Network selection was based on several factors - most notably those shaping the next decade of care delivery. These candidates display passion in their work with clients and aging industry professionals, but they also serve as advocates for seniors' health and well-being. We can't think of a better candidate who personifies these endeavors with his groundbreaking work on our new virtual reality training program.

Home Health and Home Care Future Leaders

“As health care increasingly shifts toward delivery in the home, home-based care industries are changing rapidly to address growing demand. Home Health and Home Care Future Leaders are those who are steering their organizations toward the next era of the industry. Whether working in the home or facilitating care capabilities as vendors, these individuals are embracing a new suite of technology tools and training techniques to deliver top-level care for seniors in the comfort of their own home, navigating new payment systems to lead their organizations into the future.” - Aging Media Network

"I'm so honored to receive this award, but it signifies so much more - proof that with the right people supporting you, all sharing the same vision, can make a significant impact in the lives of those we serve," said Amazona.

Ushering in A New Approach

Due to COVID, Vince and the team had to make numerous changes in how to approach training for internal staff, clients, familial caregivers, and health partners. Part of this adjustment was finding innovative ways to reach and train remotely using technology. Partnering with experts in the field, and a national virtual reality production company specializing in the senior industry, Vince was able to bring a truly immersive training experience to our customers.

Working alongside incredible experts in the Geriatric Industry, including Stanford School of Medicine’s, Dr. Mehrdad Ayati for more than a year, Vince was able to pinpoint specific challenges that come with caring for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and dementia-related conditions. He put these ideas to work by creating a curriculum that could provide the same impact and specialized skill development as hands-on training. Through virtual reality, we can now give professional caregivers, vocational students, and health teams the ability to care for a virtual patient and gain real-life experience before stepping out in the field.

“We believe in a holistic approach to care. Part of this philosophy means that we need to utilize the modern technological advancements available to us as mediums,” stated Dee Bustos, CEO. "Considering the current climate due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the geriatric industry, Vince's work will assist a broad range of home care providers and partners in expanding their specialized programs, while helping alleviate bottlenecks in staff training and mitigate risks during restrictions."

Vince and the team also view innovation as a journey. Virtual Reality (VR) has been one of the most talked-about recent technological advancements in our world today. In the past, videos and text-based learning have attempted to tell people what to expect when caring for individuals with dementia. Now, with VR, there is a way to show people what to expect.

Immersive, virtual learning is the future for professional training and now it is here to help bridge a gap in one of the direst areas of our healthcare system—dementia care.

"We know the best practices to care for individuals with complex behaviors appropriately require hands-on experience. Now we can help caregivers of all types, in all locations, get this experience, without any of the accompanying safety risks. This system provides a more comprehensive learning experience that offers far more engagement than learning through text or videos alone," said Bustos. "Vince's work is making these visions come to life at Care Indeed."

Join us in congratulating Vince Amazona for being recognized as a true trailblazer in our industry!