Beginning with planning meetings to determine the best course for the study, residents’ abilities and interests and the possibilities for the study design at each community and continuing with site visits, conference calls about specific research plans and trainings on implementing outcome measures, it has been an involved and enlightening time.

Interestingly, research studies take time to develop, to implement, to understand and study and to measure in outcomes. The Compass Program Directors and residents have learned this together in the past few months. The Directors and residents look forward to sharing more information about the implementation and outcomes of the study. Some questions that are being considered include: Can music enhance memory for specific facts, such as daily schedules? Can memory enhance and elevate mood and focus, while decreasing challenging feelings and behaviors for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease? We’ll keep you posted.

These innovative programs have been very successful for the residents that reside in Compass Memory Support and SLR continues to be a part of current research initiatives towards the increase of knowledge and information about the disease. Furthering knowledge about the disease today will lead to new research-based programming in the future, ensuring the best quality of life for current and future residents.

Most recently, SLR has embarked on a research project with its academic affiliate the Boston University School of Medicine’s Alzheimer’s Disease Center to investigate the effect of a specialized music intervention to enhance memory and overall quality of life for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease.

SLR is committed to being a part of the progress made in understanding and treating the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. As a result, residents who live in the Compass Memory Support programs continue to be a part of and benefit from the latest in Alzheimer’s research, everyday.

This month at Compass on the Bay, local musician, Doug Robinson is creating an individualized listening program for each of the residents, based on their own favorite music, responses to songs and recollections.

The Institute for Music and Neurologic Function reports that early research on the therapeutic effects of music indicates that it may help improve scores on cognitive function tests.  In addition, music improves the mood, alertness and quality of life of someone living with Alzheimer’s disease and can be used as a powerful tool.

Residents at Compass on the Bay are already benefitting from the music groups and will soon have their own play-list as well. Doug Robinson and Jennifer Hoadley, Compass Memory Support Program Director have noted increased alertness, focus and recollection in each of the groups. The music that is chosen for the groups is based on the residents’ origins, interests, life history and response to particular songs, what is directly speaking to them.

At Senior Living Residences, innovative programs are pursued that have shown to be effective in research and that allow for  individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease to maximize their ability to connect to themselves and their own experiences.  Check back to read more about this innovative program and individuals’ experiences in the groups.

Those individuals with weaker pumping hearts or the lowest cardiac index had brains that appeared two years older than those of similar participants with the highest cardiac-index. Cardiac index is a measure of how much blood is pumped form the heart relative to body size. Another finding in the study was that individuals with a  cardiac index in the normal range, had decreased brain size as compared to those in the highest index, suggesting that even small reductions in blood flow may compromise cognitive health.

One of the lead authors of the paper reporting the study is Angela Jefferson, an Associate Professor of Neurology at Boston University and the BU Alzheimer’s Disease Center, Senior Living Residences’ academic affiliate. She has a research interest in vascular risk factors that may accelerate abnormal cognitive aging including Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer’s disease.

Scientists say the data from the study is observational and does not prove a causal relationship, but still supports making healthy living choices, such as eating well, exercising regularly and monitoring cardiovascular risks.

The Reconnections Program is a curriculum-based adult learning program with courses focused on the residents’ past and present interests and developed to elicit an engaged response. The program gives residents a multitude of ways to re-connect with their past experiences, re-engage with past learned materials and benefit form the joy of learning.

This month residents are engaging in the following Reconnections program:

New Year Customs, Traditions and Celebrations: In cities the world over, the new year is marked and celebrated. Get out your list of resolutions as we delve into the ancient Roman’s first New Year’s festivities and the role Julius Caesar played in our current tradition. Travel the globe and discover cultural customs for marking the turning of the calendar page.

Destination California, Popular Sites and History of the Golden State: Discover all that the “Golden State” has to offer, from sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, to the majestic Redwoods, and the heat of Death Valley. Retrace the dramatic population changes brought about by the Gold Rush of the 1800’s and visit the states current tourist cited “most popular” destination cities.

Heroes, History and Tales: World leaders, brave soldiers, everyday citizens, who do we count among our heroes? Join us as we discuss the qualities of a hero, review individuals marked as heroes historically, and name individuals who are recognized today.

America’s Inventions: Innovations and Pursuit: What inventions stand out in history? What inventions have changed our daily lives? Learn to play the glass armonica as we explore the inventions of Benjamin Franklin, discover how Leonardo DaVinci protected his plans, discoveries and “modern day” inventions. Turn on the lights and imagine the “lab” of Thomas Edison. Tell us about your own invention idea as we explore this innovative field.

Animals in Our Lives Then and Now, People and their Pets: Depicted on the walls of tombs, “pet” ownership dates back to the ancient Egyptians. Learn about the historical role that animals played in the lives of the ancient Egyptians and trace their role, through time, to current day. What has changed in this current period of pet ownership and what roles do animals play in our lives today, that they have not in the past?

Senior Living Residences follows research findings on exercise and cognitive health. Exercise and physical activity is promoted through our Compass Memory Support. Residents participate in an exercise program designed by graduate students from Tufts University’s Boston School of Occupational Therapy, participate in walking groups, strength training, yoga, tai chi and more.

You may view the full study article, here.

• Is your loved one able to keep the house and yard as clean as before? Do you notice laundry piling up? Do the floors, furniture and bathrooms need to be cleaned?
• Is your loved one able to retain personal cleanliness? Can your Mom or Dad shower and bathe regularly without help? Has personal hygiene changed?
• Has your loved one fallen behind on bills? Is old mail piling up? Do you notice clutter that was never there before?
• Is your Mom or Dad able to manage their medical care, schedule and remember regular appointments? Can they explain and follow through with medical recommendations?
• Are medications in order? Do you know if your Mom or Dad is taking his or her medications as prescribed? Can they name their medications and their use?
• Has your loved one been repeating themselves?
• Does your loved one interact in a socially appropriate manner for light conversation, and yet if the conversation becomes more complex, they do not follow or respond appropriately?
• If you have one parent that you are worried about, does the other parent often answer for them?
• Does your loved one frequently misplace items? Do you ever find items in an unexpected place?
• Is your loved one still cooking proper nutritious meals every day? Is he or she maintaining a healthy weight and getting some form of exercise?
• Do you worry about your loved one’s safety when alone and cooking?
• What is the condition of the items in the refrigerator? Are food items adequate in supply and not expired by date or appearance?
• Has your Mom or Dad lost interest in day to day activities and social activities? Does your loved one make excuses why they don’t participate with friends or engage in social events or church activities?
• Do you think your loved one feels isolated or lonely?
• Does your loved one forget your recent visits or calls?
• Does your loved one seem to be withdrawn, fearful or depressed? Has his or her manner or character changed?
• Has your loved one’s driving ability diminished? Have you questioned if they should still be driving? Has your loved one become lost while driving a familiar route?
• Has your loved one experienced a crisis situation recently such as a hospitalization or an episode of wandering away from home and not remembering how to get back?
• Does your loved one deny any problems or refuse to discuss the situation, even though you may have answered “yes” to several of the above items?

It is estimated that over 65% of those with dementia will wander at some point, so it is critical for caregivers to monitor their loved ones and be alert for any signs of wandering (see below). However, it is often difficult to balance one’s need for a degree of personal freedom with the necessity of protecting him or her from the dangers of wandering. When a person with Alzheimer’s disease does begin to wander, it is important to recognize the confusion and help him or her refocus on real-life tasks.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, a person may be at risk for wandering if he or she:

• Returns from a regular walk or drive later than usual
• Tries to fulfill former obligations, such as going to work
• Tries or wants to “go home” even when at home
• Is restless, paces or makes repetitive movements
• Has difficulty locating familiar places like the bathroom, bedroom or dining room
• Checks the whereabouts of familiar people
• Acts as if doing a hobby or chore, but nothing gets done
• Appears lost in a new or changed environment

The Alzheimer’s Association also provides a list of tips to aid those with Alzheimer’s who are susceptible to wandering and their caregivers:

• Encourage movement and exercise to reduce anxiety, agitation and restlessness
• Ensure all basic needs are met (toileting, nutrition, thirst)
• Involve the person in daily activities, such as folding laundry or preparing dinner
• Place color-matching cloth over doorknobs to camouflage
• Redirect pacing or restless behavior
• Place a mirror near doorways. The reflection of a person’s own face will often stop him or her from exiting the door.
• Reassure the person if he or she feels lost, abandoned or disoriented .
• Enroll the person in MedicAlert + Safe Return.
• Inform your neighbors and local emergency responders of the person’s condition and keep a list of their names and telephone numbers.
• Keep your home safe and secure by installing deadbolt or slide-bolt locks on exterior doors and limiting access to potentially dangerous areas.
• Never lock the person with dementia in a home without supervision.
• Be aware that the person may not only wander by foot but also by car or other modes of transportation.

MedicAlert and Safe Return:

Keep your loved one safe by knowing the risk factors for wandering and enrolling in MedicAlert® + Alzheimer’s Association Safe Return®, the Alzheimer’s Association’s 24-hour nationwide emergency response service for individuals with Alzheimer’s or related dementia that wander or who have a medical emergency.

More information

Wandering – Preparing For and Preventing It (2 pages)
Wandering: Who’s at Risk? (2 pages)

Those with memory loss live in a different reality from our fast paced, noisy lives. Theirs is slow, quiet, and based in the remote past which is a predictable place in its familiarity of people and routines. They cannot sustain staying in the present; it is too difficult and confusing. Retreat into the past with your loved one and you will have a better than good visit!

• Plan a time limit on your visit that you are comfortable with – as few as 15 to 20 minutes can make for a good visit.
• Slow down your pace and your mind before entering your loved one’s space.
• If possible, turn off background noises, such as the TV and music, when having a conversation.
• Identify yourself each time. If he or she doesn’t know who you are, introduce yourself by your first name, “Hi Mom. Brad, your son, is here to spend some time with you.” It may take a full minute for your loved one to orient to you being there and to recognize who you are.
• Address one topic at a time. Don’t jump from subject to subject, especially in mid-sentence. Processing information is slowed in the brain of a person with Alzheimer’s. Sometimes it takes a full minute or longer for the brain to accept a message, make some sense of it, and formulate a response.
• Plan a task to be accomplished while you’re there, such as a short walk with easy, slow talk (you’ll probably carry most of the conversation), reading a story, listening to music together, or giving your mom a manicure.
• Communicate positive feelings through quiet hand holding, a light back rub, or a hand resting on the back or forearm. Always approach your loved one from the front before touching so he or she isn’t startled.
• Talk slowly and simply. Avoid complex concepts and repeat information as necessary to be clear.
• Avoid arguing with your loved one’s perceptions of things and don’t correct your loved one when he or she is wrong. Sometimes saying nothing works best. You always lose an argument with a confused person!
• Avoid long explanations, e.g., why your loved one must do something.
• Enjoy being in his or her world. Do not reality-orient or correct his or her memories or perceptions of things.
• Avoid questioning and quizzing. Avoid questions asking what, who, when, and especially why. Questions that can be answered “yes” and “no” are best.
• When asking a person with dementia to make a decision, offer only two choices, either of which is acceptable. More than that is too much for the brain to deal with now. For example, “Do you want to walk with me now, or talk together first?”
• Know that your presence alone brings peace and comfort to your loved one!

Relating to those with memory loss can often be challenging. It’s helpful to keep in mind that their behavior is their way of staying in touch with what is going on to feel in control of their lives. We understand that. The personal caregivers and Social Program Directors in our Memory Support Neighborhoods are trained in the habilitation method of memory care with a focus on maximizing the independence of each resident, as well as creating positive emotional experiences using all of the techniques and tips outlined here.

TIPS COMPLIMENTS OF

Beverly Moore, RN CS, Alzheimer Coaching Services, 617-233-1145