I recently read an article in Parade about a
speech-pathology professor at Ohio State University, Michelle S.
Bourgeois, who is finding new ways to communicate with Alzheimer
and Dementia patients. The article had a touching story about a
woman struggling to deal with her eighty-year-old mother's
inability to recognize her at times and how flash cards helped.
By focusing on what people can do rather than what they've lost,
Bourgeois and a group of scientists have been helping caregivers
change the way they deal with dementia patients. Because
Alzheimer's disease first strikes the part of the brain responsible
for memory processing and learning, other abilities like reading
and long-term memory are less afflicted. This is why dementia
patients ask the same question over and over. The spoken word is
heard and understood, but they can't store the memory of what
you've just said.
Bourgeois' work has proven that even in patients who can no
longer speak, they can still read because when shown photos with
captions, they respond with smiles and pleasant sounds. Her methods
suggest making memory books with pictures old and new with captions
to help patients remember people. She also suggests flash cards to
help caregivers and patients with every day activities.
Examples:
If your mother is having a hard time remembering you are her
son, give her two pictures of you old and new with the captions -
"This is my son Paul at age three," & "This is my son Paul
now." The picture with the captions will help her understand and
remember who you are and the nature of your relationship. People
never forget you, they just need help remembering.
If your father is asking the same question over and over -
"Where are we going?" Answer his question, but also write it down
on a notepad and give it to him. When he asks again, tell him the
answer is on the notepad. This will help him retain the answer and
keep him from asking again.
If a patient refuses to shower, give him/her a card after saying
it is time to shower that says, "Showers make me feel fresh and
clean." This will help the patient remember why it is important to
shower and the feelings associated with being clean.
While visiting my grandmother over the Thanksgiving holiday, I
saw this technique in action and was surprised at how well it
worked. Placing a note under her medications stating, "I have taken
my pills today," has conditioned her to take her pills and then put
the note on top of the pill box so every time she questions
herself, she looks at the pill box, reads the note on top, and
knows she took her pills. She also has a booklet of dates written
out and stapled together by her chair. Each day she flips the page
over to reveal today's date. This keeps her from asking again and
again, "What is today?"
Remember, people with Alzheimer's/Dementia are still here. They
are still the people they have always been, they just need help
remembering. Employ these simple techniques to help them reclaim
their memory and make these happy not sad times.
To read the full article: http://www.parade.com/health/2010/11/21-unlocking-the-silent-prison.html
Carrie Robertson
Research & Community Education
Chicago Skilled Nursing
Chicago Senior
Living