Alzheimer's Care With Pathways To Memory

by Kevin Whatcott

For me, Alzheimer's care means thinking about my mother, Marvelle, who died peacefully in her home on October 23, 2009.  Dying peacefully in her home was our goal when we started sending a caregiver to help her.  Of course, she didn't want the help.  She could do it on her own, she thought.  I convinced her that my sisters could no longer help clean her house and that if she allowed someone to come in to help, she could spend time doing fun things with her daughters.  She agreed.  On October 16, 2006 we sent her first caregiver.  This is a picture of mom from around that time.  For the next year and a half, working with mom meant helping her around the house, cleaning, cooking and going on errands.

We could tell that she was declining over time.  By December of 2007 she wasn't engaging in conversation very much.  When I visited, I would generally find her on her couch, sometimes with the curtains closed in the middle of the day.  She didn't do much when the caregiver wasn't around.  When she visited my house for Sunday dinner, she and dad sat on the couch and waited to be called for dinner.  Directly after dinner, my sister would take them home.  I knew we needed to take quick action or she would slide into advanced Alzheimer's disease, just like her sister Ethel did.  In January 2008, we started her on our Pathways to Memory program. 

The change wasn't immediate, but it was dramatic.  After about six weeks, when she came for Sunday dinner she was no longer sitting on the couch.  She asked how she could help.  She set the table, washed potatoes and engaged in conversation.  In April she was able to attend my son's wedding.  Most of her time at the wedding was great.  But, she was lost at times, as you can see in this picture.

She continued receiving Pathways to Memory sessions until July of 2009.  At that point, the sessions were no longer very effective.  She declined quickly and passed away peacefully.  I recorded the last couple of months in a blog.  Check it out here.  You'll have to click on the various months to read the whole thing. 

I'm grateful for the resource I had to share with my mother of Pathways to Memory.  She knew me until the end.  A few days before she died, she spoke her last words to me, "I love you."  Pathways to Memory provided the means by which mom was able to stay in her home and know me until the end.

We offer Pathways to Memory as a free part of our service if you want it and your loved one will participate in it.  We can discuss it at our FREE initial consultation.  Call us now at 877-746-1080.  Our phones are answered live 24/7.  For immediate help with your loved one, please check out our Guide to Living With Dementia, or give us a call and we'll be happy to bring one to your home. 

Pathways to Memory Study

On March 23, 2009, we started a Pathways to Memory program at an assisted living center in conjunction with the Alzheimer’s Association of Utah.  We had 13 participants including residents in assisted living and in the Alzheimer's unit.

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."

"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."

The program was a great success!  It demonstrated that a structured, cognitive intervention program can work.  I saw it individually with my mother and in this study working with a group. 

This is Kevin describing the Pathways to Memory program.	This is Dave describing the Alzheimer's Association involvement in the trial.
This is Debbie describing the effects of the program on her residents and community.