Keeping up with new research on Alzheimer's Disease is nearly impossible unless you don't have anything else to do. How on earth are caregivers supposed to keep up, much less care for their loved ones. I know the Alzheimer's Association does a good job of trying to keep reputable news updates on it's website. I am thankful that I am able to get concise updated information because of my job. This week I got a long term care publication in the mail that talked about a promising new approach for individuals with dementia. It is called the SAIDO approach. So far in the US, there is only one certified program, the Eliza Jennings Center in Ohio. This organization sent staff members to Japan to train with professionals there who have been using this approach for several years now. According to the Japanese data, it has proven to have a significant improvement in functioning ability for the individuals who participate. I would recommend googling to find precise description of the program.
My understanding is the program encourages engagement of the prefrontal cortex of the brain using various verbal and math activities. A major component of the approach is the use of staff members as coaches and cheerleaders, providing encouragement and positive feedback. Although certainly not scientific, there are elements of this approach that resonate with me based on conversations with my mother. She is disturbed that people no longer talk to her, but everything is directed at my Dad. Congratulations to the psychiatrist who did her testing whose comment "You used to be smart" is one memory that has been well retained by my mother. I understand that people know if the information is going to be retained, it has to be delivered to my Dad, but at the same time, this marginalizes my mother as a person. Psychology and mental health has always been an interest for me and I have to wonder how much of the success of this program is due to the intense involvement of the staff members. I can see how just from a quality of life standpoint the positive encouragement must be a significant part of this approach.
Since I am involved in practical application, not scientific research, I don't really care about how it works or whether it is statistically significant. Sure if I thought our company were going to invest significant dollars to become certified or develop this approach as part of our care program, I would want to be sure it was not just another one of those fad approaches. If we were a facility that was going to include this approach in marketing materials, you would want to have concrete data. But it seems to me to be a ray of hope for those every day caregivers. Finding verbal and math activities to give to individuals, especially since there are really no "right" answers, seems to be something that could be done by regular people. Refocusing your attention on "cheering" or encouraging your loved one is something else that with practice and focus regular people could also implement. What a great opportunity for intergenerational interaction. Whether it is statistically significant or not, when I look at the faces of residents when they are interacting with children and young people, I know that in terms of quality of life, intergenerational is a good thing.
So Kudos to the company that has invested in this new approach. I wish them well not only in the care they provide in their own facilities but in their commitment to train others in this approach. And I hope elements of this approach can be used by regular caregivers to give them another tool and a hope, if not for actual improved functioning, but at least opportunities for moments of joy during each day.
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