Dementia Care
A Program for Seniors with Unique Needs
 Signature Care recognizes the special needs of people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. We begin by first listening to and understanding the stories and details of each person’s life. Each person’s own life story - where they were born, where they grew up, who they are, all become part of the individual’s specific program. Mental exercises and physical activities are designed to appeal to each client’s most familiar personal interests and to reinforce past associations and memories.
A Structured Mental Stimulation Program
We offer a structured, supportive and stimulating therapeutic program to enhance the in-home care services we provide to our clients. Activities are as varied as each client’s interests. By reviewing each person’s life story we gain insight into which activities that person finds the most stimulating and enjoyable. Structured and varied activities are offered to facilitate continued engagement with community, family and life. We utilize community resources when appropriate while private transportation can be provided as needed by our caring staff. Of course great care is much more than just looking after a person’s physical needs for safety, nutrition and good health. Signature Care is pleased to be working with The Alzheimer Society to bring The Best Friends™ Approach to Care philosophy to all of our clients.
The needs of people with Alzheimer disease are no different than those of others their age. What’s different is how those needs are met.
 Activity modules are made up of both general information and client specific questions which are designed to stimulate and reinforce neural pathways in the brain. Answers to questions are provided to the client in a variety of formats and at different levels of difficulty. The key is not in any specific answer but in always finding the answer. After reviewing a short paragraph which contains the answers to the questions to be asked, the client then works through the possible answer list to a positive conclusion. An example of this might be to ask – “In what city where you born?” Depending on the client’s level of cognitive impairment the answer could be found in:
1) a prepared list of five different possible cities in random order, or
2) a simple map of the area with several cities to choose from
3) a word find puzzle with the city name contained within the puzzle
4) a list of perhaps just three items which are not places at all except for the one which of course is the correct answer (the city where the client was born).
The answer is always leads to a positive and enriching experience for the client!
It is in the process of searching for the correct answer, the process of reasoning that is stimulating to the human brain. It is common knowledge that working on simple jigsaw puzzles is a popular activity for those clients with memory and cognitive impairments. These activities are stimulating to the client because they require searching and reasoning to determine if each piece of the puzzle fits. Each and every time the client finds the correct answer (and they always will) there is a positive memory of that person’s life reinforced, perhaps re-establishing a pathway that was failing in the brain. We have known for years that not stimulating the brain results in the loss of cognitive abilities over time including diminished memory function, slowing of reasoning ability and some impairment of most aspects of cognition (including attention and orientation). Each module is designed to take about 2 hours to complete. Each session with the facilitator allows for sufficient time to work slowly and at an intensity that is comfortable for the client. As the program content is individualized it can continue for as long as the client wishes.
While most clients may already have a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia, program services are available whenever the need is identified and would be of benefit to the client or their family. Often other care needs are pre-existing and a clear diagnosis of dementia may not have been made, in these cases there is no reason to delay access to services. A preliminary assessment is required prior to service provision in order to individualize activities and to ensure that each person’s specific needs and interests are addressed. Assessment will involve if possible, the client, family members, and other persons involved in the client’s daily activities. Often family members will provide much of the client’s life story when the client cannot (due to impaired memory). Additional information including medical history, medications, and other care issues such as incontinence and mobility concerns is helpful.
Multiple Levels of Support
 We offer a continuum of care which begins with your first contact with us and then continues as your needs change. Program activities are individualized, no matter where the person is in the progression of the disease we can provide as little or as much care and supports as needed. For some, that could mean companion visits to facilitate participation in specific community activities or regular participation in our structured cognitive retention program while for others it could be 24/7 physical care supports in the home. This continuum of care reduces the need to change residence to obtain different levels of care. Often people mistakenly believe that they need to move to nursing home care when they could have remained in their own home closer to their family, community and friends. Well managed care and supports can be a cost effective alternative to nursing home care and most importantly, allows the individual continued connection to the environment they have built for themselves, their home.
Dementia Care - The Care Plan
Once the necessary information is gathered a care plan is recommended. This will be based on each individual’s specific needs and will provide a level of interaction and activity frequency that is both stimulating and comfortable for the client. The care plan will take into consideration the client’s past and present interests, current cognitive functioning and ability, physical limitations and strengths, spiritual and psychosocial needs.
Costs
Costs vary depending on the services requested, the number of hours of service being provided and several other factors. We prefer to quote prices after determining these important variables.
We promise to make all of our programs and services as cost effective as possible! Assessments for services are offered without cost or obligation upon request.
Please call Signature Care for more information at 508-2827
or
Visit the CRT™ Website: www.cognitiveretentiontherapy.com
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