RETIRE-AT-HOME’S COGNITIVE CARE PROGRAM HELPS CLIENTS DEAL WITH ALZHEIMER’S/DEMENTIA
With Retire-At-Home’s Cognitive Care Program, family members eliminate a tremendous amount of worry and stress and can go off to work knowing their relative with dementia is happy and well cared for at home.
“It’s a very personal situation, and family members need to touch base with someone who understands and can provide some options and some clarity,” says Ann Dobbins, Retire-At-Home’s specialist on cognitive care and founder and executive director of Memory Matters.
She said the personal involvement of attentive caregivers has helped clients with dementia to thrive in so many ways.
“We recognize the stresses and challenges that families are facing,” says Jonathan Martin of Retire-At-Home. “When we deal with clients that may qualify for our Cognitive Care Program, a customized cognitive care component is prepared which focuses on their individual needs. The goal is to provide quality support and care that is relevant to that unique individual.”
A fully accredited home care company, Retire-At-Home has been helping family caregivers for over 20 years to reduce stress by providing professional, compassionate care to seniors at home.
“One of the many nice things about RetireAt-Home is that they recognize the importance and value of nurse assessments,” says Dobbins. “It adds a layer of credibility and comfort.” She says it makes sense for her to build a strong relationship and collaboration with a company she trusts.
Memory Matters’ cognitive assessments assist in developing an understanding of an individual’s “abilities and challenges,” she said. “Even the best-intentioned health professionals and health teams fall prey to thinking that someone is their diagnosis and not an individual . Circumstances change, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a full person there. The person is included in decision-making. Instead of working on the person, you work with the person, and people are much happier. It becomes a much better relationship.”
Some examples of individual-focused activities have included helping clients create a timeline collection of family history, and taking a horse-lover to see a horse once again. “Another team member helped a man with dementia to write Christmas cards. One of his relatives replied that he would treasure that Christmas card for the rest of his life.”
One client loved to hear the tale of Susan Boyle’s musical success and asked for the CD, which he delighted in playing. “It’s not anything incredibly complex, but it’s sensitive and relevant to the individual,” she said. “It’s how we activate the person so as to promote engagement and well-being. A wonderful rapport and relationship can be built with people who are experiencing cognitive change. They do have a lot to contribute.”
Call 613-798-5111 today for a free noobligation consultation, or view www.cognitivecareottawa.com.