Pathways To Memory

View the news story as featured on KTVX Channel 4.
 
“Home care agencies usually train personnel in how to care for and be sensitive to mentally impaired clients, but the Pathways to Memory™ program might be the first to personally engage clients.” -- Linda Sabo, professional Memory Care expert, upstate New York

Helping those with memory impairment from any of the following:

Early stage Alzheimer’s Disease       Mid stage Alzheimer’s Disease

Pick’s Disease                                   Frontal Temporal Dementia (FTD)

Lewy Bodies Disease                      Non-specified Dementia or Memory Loss

We serve individuals who exhibit one or more of these traits:

•    cognitive decline
•    disturbing or disruptive behavior
•    difficulty performing familiar tasks
•    disorientation to time & place
•    loss of words / problems with language
•    shortened attention span
•    suspicious, paranoid or delusional
•    losing ability to recognize friends or family
•    forgetting to complete common daily tasks (dressing, grooming, eating)
•    changes in mood or personality
•    loss of initiative or heightened apathy
•    high frustration and/or elevated anxiety level
•    abnormal irritability / over-reacting to normal situations
•    decline in judgment & safety
•    challenges with performing daily personal care activities
•    becoming socially isolated and withdrawn
•    forgetting things often - not remembering later
•    problems with abstract thinking (paying bills / managing checkbook)
•    misplacing things or putting them in unusual places
•    inability to concentrate – repeats statements or stories
•    difficulty processing new information
•    unexplained sadness or tears
•    changes in eating habits
•    insomnia, sleep interruptions or sleeping too much
•    problems with social activities and family relations
•    overall difficulty communicating, learning, thinking and reasoning

On March 23, 2009, we started a Pathways to Memory program at an assisted living center in conjuntion with the Alzheimer’s Association of Utah.  The results of the study were presented at the Utah Assisted Living Association Conference on May 28, 2009.  Here is the presentation in four parts.  Part 4, from the perspective of Sunrise Assisted Living.

On April 16, 2009 we had a meeting with some of the family members to discuss how things are going.  Here are some of the comments we received:

"Barbara has been more calm and cooperative at 3:00 socials; her social interaction has improved.  Barbara came to get her nails done for the 1st time ever."

"My mother is now cooperative in bathing.  My mother is more cooperative over all.  My mother is usually very uncooperative when I take her to the doctor.  She was much better today. Anxiety has gone down.  Seems more content."

"Beverly is more independent using the restroom."  "[She has been more calm and a lot less timid.  She isn’t so afraid to use the bathroom with verbal cues.  She is remembering other residents’ names and interacting more with them.  She has been joking with them and very engaged both one on one and in a group."

"He is a lot more talkative and more alert.  He is happier."  "He did “Karaoke” and got everyone up and going.  Not so anxious."

"Floyd has really blossomed.  He is more involved in activities where before he isolated himself in his room.  Floyd and I had a 30 minute conversation which was completely coherent.  I believe Floyd is more engaged and involved all the time.  When I invite Floyd to activities, he is happy to join us."

"Jack has been seeking more interaction, he comes out of his room ready to talk and participate in activities."

"Cognitive abilities, especially one on one, are much better.  Can answer and respond to questions and situations while understanding and being focused."

"Ruth has been less agitated at dinner time – before she would refuse all menu items.  Ruth has been calmer and more cooperative."

"Viola is more talkative and responsive – usually she is quiet.  She is now able to refuse items on the menu that she does not want, which she did not do before.  Viola has overall been more vocal about her needs.  Viola has been more assertive in telling care managers she wants to attend activities – even if her husband disagrees."

"Wayne has been very compassionate and reaching out to other residents in the community.  He seems more happy and less anxious."