U-First! = Understanding - Flagging, Interaction, Reflection & Reporting, Support, Team.

The goals of U-First! are to develop a common knowledge base, a common language, common values, and a common approach to providing care for persons with Alzheimer Disease and related dementias.

U-First! provides a practical method for shared problem-solving and care planning; it also assists with the implementation of P.I.E.C.E.S. concepts.

Unique to U-First! is the innovative yet practical “job aide”, the U-First! Wheel, which serves as a tool to promote on-the-job dialogue and communication between partners in care.

Note: U-First! is not P.I.E.C.E.S. training! However, participants will learn basic P.I.E.C.E.S. concepts and how to link with those in a role to do clinical assessments associated with the P.I.E.C.E.S. framework.

Core principles of U-First! include:

• the centrality of the person and the importance of various factors in the person’s well-being, right to self-determination, and quality of life for the person and his/her family/significant others
• the central role of the unregulated health provider and the importance of ongoing, meaningful dialogue with you as supervisor to continually improve practices
• enhancing supervisory leadership abilities related to providing care for persons with Alzheimer Disease and related dementias
• learning through dialogue (1)

1. Dialogue: The meaning of dialogue, comes from the Greek work "dia-logus" -- a free flowing of meaning through a group. It is conversation and listening with care. Dialogue allows the learner to discover (learn) insights perhaps not attainable individually; means to inquire, discover, hear, and understand multiple perspectives; contrasts with "discussion," which means a heaving back and forth of ideas, controversy, debate, feud, argument!