Homewatch CareGivers New, Expanded Pathways to Memory™ Program to Help Enhance Cognitive Function for Patients with Memory Loss
International home care provider extends its leadership in private memory loss treatment with updated program that parallels recent implicit memory research
Greenwood Village, COLO – Sept. 1, 2009 – Based on the ground-breaking program released in 2005, Homewatch CareGivers (www.HomewatchCareGivers.com), the largest, most experienced international provider of full-service home care, announced the release of its newly expanded Pathways to Memory™ Program, a set of therapeutic activities delivered in a nurturing, failure-free environment that stimulates and enhances cognitive function for patients with early to mid stage dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and other memory loss conditions. Now with more than 100 memory-enhancing activities, Pathways to Memory has achieved from 50% to more than 200% improvement in memory screenings with clients. The program is available exclusively through Homewatch CareGivers-certified specialists.
“As the first home care company to develop a memory care program, we recognize the importance of providing families with proactive intervention tools to help loved ones with memory loss, ” said Leann Reynolds, president of Homewatch CareGivers. “With our years of experience in the practical application of cognitive-enhancing programs, we’ve seen the positive effects first hand. We know the program works. Now, with the expanded activities in Pathways to Memory, we believe our memory care program is even more effective in providing robust, personalized care plans that help improve cognition and enhance life functions.”
How Does Pathways to Memory™ Work
Pathways to Memory is a targeted, memory-enhancing program designed
to stimulate and enhance cognitive abilities for those with
Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and other memory impairing
illnesses. Following a series of baseline tests, each program
is customized to the client, focusing on six cognitive areas:
Face/Name Recognition, Time/Place Orientation, Object
Identification/Manipulation, Attention Span/Cognitive Process,
Memory Concentration, and Executive Function/Abstract Thinking.
Each client works the customized program in two-hour sessions,
three times per week in 12-week intervals. In a failure-free
environment, a Pathways Specialist nurtures a trusted therapeutic
relationship, one the entire family can rally around. The family
de-stresses when they learn new coping behaviors and helpful
activities within the structure of the Pathways to Memory
program. The consistency of the program enables a significant
bond between the client, the Pathways Specialist, and the entire
family.
At its core, the Pathways to Memory program is a proactive
intervention tool aimed at preserving implicit memory – memory
expressed through performance, rather than conscious recall – and
improving overall cognition. The program results can mean greater
self-esteem, extended independence by prolonging an individual’s
ability to perform activities of daily living, diminished behavior
issues, and postponing or preventing the need for residential
placement. Further, the compassionate but neutral third party role
of the Pathways Specialists often presents a stabilizing force
between the client and their loved ones. As cognitive function
improves with the client, family relationships often improve as
well.
Research Supports the Pathways to Memory
Approach
Studies have shown that a consistent cognitive stimulation regime
can preserve implicit memory and allow individuals a higher level
of independence and self-esteem. Recent research published in
American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease & Other
Dementias®, entitled “Preserving Cognition Through an
Integrated Cognitive Stimulation and Training Program” by
Margie Eckroth-Bucher, PhD, RN,Department of
Nursing, Bloomsburg University, and James Siberski,
MS, Geriatric Care Manager Program,
Misericordia University, supports the overall premise of Pathways
to Memory. The research findings were not specific to Pathways to
Memory, but according to Sharon Stokes, MS in Psychology with a
geriatric emphasis and president of ElderCare Specialists of
Colorado, the three subsequent key findings support Pathways to
Memory’s systematic and integrative approach:
- Some patients with cognitive impairment can preserve or improve cognitive and functional abilities
- Consistent stimulation of the memory and other cognitive skills, including language and attention activities, can be useful in slowing cognitive decline associated with aging and dementia-related diseases
- Cognitive intervention tools have shown promising efficacy in slowing cognitive decline
“I have reviewed the Pathways to Memory program. It is a
methodical and thorough approach that addresses specific cognitive
deficiencies,” commented Stokes. “It helps families cope by giving
them a proactive intervention to help a loved one. Some patients
with memory impairing illness are able to establish new learning
paths to improve cognition. Pathways to Memory offers a
program to establish those paths.”
Measurable Results
According to anecdotal data by Homewatch CareGivers, the company
reports dramatic results from the Pathways to Memory program.
Client scores on the Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE) have shown
individual improvements ranging from 11% to 57% and with 7-Minute
Screen Test individual improvements have ranged from 17% to
240%. Both tests are standard measurement tools used by
professionals to assess memory and other aspects of cognitive
function.
For more information about Pathways to Memory, visit the company websites at www.HomewatchCareGivers.com or contact a local Homewatch CareGivers office.
About Homewatch CareGivers
Founded in 1980, Homewatch CareGivers is the largest, most
experienced international provider of full-service in-home care for
people of all ages, including seniors, children, veterans, the
chronically ill, and those recovering from medical procedures.
Caregivers are triple-screened and continually trained and
supervised by healthcare professionals to provide reliable,
compassionate and highly skilled services in companion, personal
and comprehensive care. In-home care services are personalized for
each client and customized care plans are administered through an
international network of 108 franchise owners with 175 territories
which includes 10 international owners with 19 international
territories. Each office is locally owned and dedicated to ensuring
quality of life for clients and peace of mind for their loved ones.
Call 1-800-777-9770, visit www.homewatchcaregivers.com for
franchise, company and caregiver information, or learn more from
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwSRiMuM2DA.
