More on Montessori

22 Thursday May 2014

Posted by Ann Napoletan in Activities for Your Loved One, Behaviors, Books, Caregivers, Communication, Helpful Resources, Tips

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

alzheimers, caregiving, dementia, memory care, montessori

Photo Source: Fred Lum/The Globe and Mail

Last summer, after reading about Tom & Karen Brenner, I became interested in the use of Montessori principles with dementia patients.

The Brenners are Montessori gerontologists and authors of You Say Goodbye and We Say Hello: The Montessori Method for Positive Dementia Care, which explores this fascinating topic.

The concepts are actually rather simple, and many of these ideas could easily be incorporated into adult day programs and memory care activities. If you’re caring for a loved one at home, I recommend trying to incorporate Montessori into your daily routine. Reports indicate that patients involved in these activities experienced less agitation, wandered less, and displayed less aggressive behaviors. They also seemed much more engaged in the world around them – and what care partner doesn’t want THAT for their LO?!

Find the story and see the person: Who is that person today and how can we bring that person out? Memories aren’t all gone. Let’s find out what still exists and capitalize on it and enhance the quality of life. ~Gail Elliot, retired McMaster University gerontologist

When considering activities, ask these questions:

What does he/she like to do?
What is he/she able to do?
What type of work did he/she do before dementia?
What hobbies did he/she enjoy before dementia?

Find things that:

DO encourage use of the five senses
DO compliment his/her pre-dementia interests, talents, and experiences
DO allow for successes
DO take into consideration his/her current stage of dementia

For more great tips and to read about how Montessori is being employed in Toronto, DO click through and read this excellent article by Tralee Pearce: Using the Montessori Method to Combat Dementia. Share it with the memory care and day program administrators who oversee your loved one’s care, and encourage them to adopt these concepts!

While finding a cure or treatment is critical, it’s also imperative that we provide those living with dementia with the best quality of life possible right now!

Alzheimer’s: The Unexpected Journey

01 Thursday May 2014

Posted by Ann Napoletan in Advocacy and Awareness, Behaviors, Caregivers, Face of Alzheimer's, Grieving, Inspiration, Life After Caregiving, Mom, Ruminations, Saying Goodbye

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

alzheimers, Alzheimers advocacy, alzheimers awareness, dementia, grief

I’d like to thank my new friends at the Alzheimer’s Society of Bangladesh for inviting me to contribute to their latest newsletter.

If Alzheimer’s or a related form of dementia has never directly touched you, the possibility is probably the furthest thing from your mind. I know that was the case for me. I knew so little about the disease; quite truthfully, I was one of those people who thought having Alzheimer’s simply meant you were forgetful.

Little did I know how all-encompassing dementia is – or the devastation it exacts on families. When my mom began to show symptoms in her mid-60s, I quickly learned dementia is so much more than problems with memory.

Dementia Does Not Discriminate

My mother had only been retired for several years when we began to notice small changes. I wanted to believe it was just a function of adjusting to retirement and hoped if she got involved in volunteer activities and hobbies, she would return to “normal.” So I hinted, encouraged, and pushed, becoming very frustrated when she resisted.

Mom had been a fiercely independent career woman. She had it all together; she was sharp, intelligent, witty, and fun. Her vibrant nature could light up a room. Traveling extensively, she had friends all over the country and was a role model and mentor to many whose paths she had crossed. She was the last person I would have expected to spend her “golden years” in the haze of dementia. She was too young and much too strong; people like my mom didn’t get this disease.

But, yes, they did. And they do – every day.

A Heartbreaking Decline

Over time, I watched as my mom’s confidence waned, speech worsened, and erratic behavior increased. She forgot what to do when the phone rang, no longer knew how to turn the television off and on, and suffered from paranoia – certain that I, her daughter, was stealing things from her.

A meticulous record keeper, she could no longer manage her checkbook, began getting lost on her almost daily 5-minute walk to the store, and fell prey to more than one scam. This woman who loved to cook and spent so much time in the kitchen no longer remembered how to use the microwave.

She was no longer able to keep track of her medication, even lacking the aptitude to follow the simplest of reminders posted around the house. Ultimately, aphasia stole her ability to communicate, depression replaced her familiar smile, and we got a frightening taste of psychotic behavior complete with hallucinations and delusions.

My mother, who had dined in some of the most upscale restaurants in the country, began eating with her fingers. When she could no longer do that, she had to be fed. She couldn’t dress herself, bathe herself, or use the bathroom by herself. She was completely dependent on others for every aspect of daily life.

We Must End Alzheimer’s and Related Disorders

In December, 2012, at age 76, she lost her battle. My daughter and I were at her side the moment her sweet soul left its earthly shell. We’ll never know if she understood who we were, but we are certain that she realized we were “hers.” She felt our love and we felt hers, right up to the very end.

I believe she has found peace and is once again whole, and that provides some degree of comfort. But, it doesn’t lessen the pain of missing her. It doesn’t stop the tears when they come out of nowhere. My mom was always my rock; even when she could no longer speak, just her presence soothed and reassured me. No matter our age, we never stop needing our mothers…

That is why I won’t stop fighting for research funding and increased awareness. No family should have to bear witness to the wrath of dementia.

Introducing Sing Along With John – and a DVD Giveaway!

19 Wednesday Mar 2014

Posted by Ann Napoletan in Activities for Your Loved One, Behaviors, Caregivers, Giveaways, Helpful Resources, Music and Art, Products, Smiles

≈ 8 Comments

Tags

alzheimers, dementia, music for alzheimers, music therapy

UPDATE: I’ve decided to extend the giveaway a bit longer. Submit an entry now through April 14.

It’s been proven that music provides many benefits to Alzheimer’s and dementia patients, from easing anxiety to improving relationships and boosting engagement.

Many care partners report witnessing an awakening of memories triggered by music, while others note cases where music therapy reduced the need for psychotropic drugs. The bottom line is this: Music is almost guaranteed to fuel happiness, therefore improving overall quality of life. My mom absolutely loved music.

Sing Along With John

I recently stumbled upon a collection of DVDs featuring singer/pianist John Moorhouse whose musical career has spanned over four decades. Music has taken Moorhouse around the world, opening for the likes of Sly & the Family Stone, Deep Purple, and Janis Joplin. These days, he finds great joy in entertaining seniors at retirement and assisted living communities in Ontario, Canada.

Our clients always have a great time when John performs. There are smiles from ear to ear, toes tapping and people up out of their chairs dancing! He brings so much joy to our day center and a pleasure to work with. His talent and enthusiasm are unmatched! -Bonnie Robertson Koepke, Activity Coordinator, VON Adult Day Program and Overnight Respite, Hamilton, ON

The DVD collection, aptly titled Sing Along With John, features six titles, and includes something for just about everyone:

Best of the Crooners (Route 66, Blue Moon, Misty, Ain’t She Sweet)
All Time Sing Along Favourites (Let Me Call You Sweetheart, Bill Bailey, Five Foot Two Eyes of Blue)
Rockin’ Country (San Antonio Rose, Release Me, Take These Chains From My Heart)
Songs of the British Isles (When Irish Eyes Are Smiling, Bye Bye Blackbird, I’m Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover)
Old Time Gospel (The Old Rugged Cross, How Great Thou Art, Onward Christian Soldiers)
Christmas Celebration (Jingle Bells, Auld Lang Syne, We Wish You a Merry Christmas)

I previewed Best of the Crooners and thought the format was perfect; the manner in which the video is staged creates a feeling of being right there for a live performance. Each DVD includes a printable songbook and provides the option to display easy-to-read lyrics at the bottom of the screen – perfect for singing along!

Our residents love Sing Along With John DVDs. As soon as the DVD starts to play, everyone starts to sing and they remain engaged for the entire DVD performance. –Lisa Hardisty, Activity Director, Bay Haven, Collingwood, ON

Several facilities report that residents enjoy the Old Time Gospel DVD during on-site church services, while others enthusiastically attest to the happiness and rekindling of memories all of the DVDs spawn.

Music: A Universal Language

The collection, distributed by Roses in Winter Productions, has won fans in assisted living facilities, retirement communities, and Alzheimer’s care centers extending from Canada and the U.S. to England, Ireland, New Zealand and Australia.

As the senior demographic changes, the company plans to produce 1950’s and 1960’s DVDs featuring music for the baby boomer generation. They also intend to produce another gospel DVD in the future.

How Do I Get The DVDs?

The DVDs are available individually as well as in two different sets of three, or the entire collection can be purchased together. While these would certainly be a great addition to the music/video library of any facility, I believe they are equally appropriate for a home setting.

Each DVD contains 10-12 songs (30-40 minutes of music). For more information or to place an order, visit http://singalongwithjohndvds.com.

I’m also very happy to announce that the generous folks at Roses in Winter Productions have sent me five DVDs for YOU! If you’d like to win one, leave a comment on this post and tell me what kind of music you enjoy listening to. I’ll select five random winners on April 1^st. Good luck!!