Menu
Comfort in common things in treating dementia
Elaine Bookwalter loves opera music. Her favorite is Verdi's classic, "Rigoletto."
Not only does The Waters of Greencastle patient enjoy the music, often smiling and sometimes quietly singing along as she hears it, she even eats better after listening to it.
That's the idea behind the dementia program Passages Through Time at the nursing home facility, says Stephanie Putz hospice and palliative liaison for the hospice effort.
Passages representative Kansas Swain said patients like Elaine often respond so well to music and other stimuli associated with the dementia program effort that they have more and greater moments of lucidity.
Patients have reacted so well to stimuli such as the "rummage bag," which contains items from their past or their youth that previously non-communicative individuals have interacted more often with nursing home staff.
The Passages Through Time effort, which began in Illinois, is now being offered at The Waters of Greencastle, one of two Indiana locations incorporating the new program. The other is in Carmel.
"Being something so new and innovative really is a tribute to the staff" at The Waters, Swain added. "It's such an aggressive program. We are so proud to bring it to this area.
"The goal," she added, "is to provide exceptional end-of-life care."
Experts stress that dementia changes everything. It can cripple the body and make thoughts seem foreign. About 30 percent of seniors have dementia, according to the Alzheimer's Association's latest report.
That number grows each year as Baby Boomers age. Dementia impacts everyone differently, with symptoms ranging from slight memory loss to an inability to eat or walk.
"Sometimes it even steals their voice," said Sherry Chappell, who leads the Passages Through Time program, "but they're still a person that deserves our care and attention."
The Passages Through Time program, part of the care offered by Passages Hospice, uses a customized plan to help each person with dementia communicate in the way that is best for them.
The program uses music, interactive computer activities and the PARO therapeutic robot to increase communication and interaction.
For some, that means singing along to jazz standards from their youth. For others, it can be sorting items from their "rummage bag" or petting PARO, the therapeutic robot.
Tasheena Duncan, social services and program director at The Waters, is happy with the results locally.
"It's a sensory-based unit," she said, "so all of things they're doing are a great fit."
The Passages Through Time program also trains the patient's family and staff at skilled nursing facilities in the best ways to connect with the person.
For more information, persons may call 630-824-0400 or visit Passages Hospice on the web at www.pas-sageshospice.