“There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to memory care,” says Nat Grim, Executive Director of Bridges® by EPOCH at Mashpee. “Every individual’s journey is different, which is why the best care plans incorporate a variety of different techniques and approaches to create the very best experience for that person. Bridges by EPOCH is always researching and adopting innovative new ways to improve the quality of life, safety and happiness for our residents with dementia.”
One of these innovative dementia care programs is Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach® to Care (PAC). As an occupational therapist with forty years of experience, Teepa Snow is one of the world’s leading educators on dementia and the care that accompanies it. Founded in 2005, PAC provides dementia care training, products and services around the world. It’s founded on the principle that the outcomes and relationships that are desired can be achieved only when each person is willing to make a change.
Alicia Seaver, regional director for Bridges® by EPOCH, earned certification from PAC in 2015. This means she has received in-depth knowledge of strategies and environmental modifications to help improve the lives of people living with dementia. In order to receive this certification, Alicia had to demonstrate a mastery of dementia care techniques and position herself as a qualified resource to families, communities or agencies.
“Alicia is committed to elevating care for Bridges residents and to providing exceptional guidance to our staff, families and professional partners, and her commitment to integrating these strategies and techniques into our practices is proof of that,” says Nat.
The Positive Approach® to Care Philosophy
The PAC person-centered philosophy helps care providers, family members and loved ones develop ways to work with the individual with dementia in order to improve quality of life. For example, instead of using medication to reduce challenging behaviors, the PAC approach encourages caregivers to figure out and understand why their loved one is acting the way they are, and take steps to modify and improve the situation or environment. There are four steps to the PAC philosophy:
- To respond to a person’s change in abilities and cognition in ways that are not offensive or hurtful
- To understand that, through practice, reactions can become responses to improve the quality of life for your loved one with dementia (as well as yourself)
- To become aware of your loved one’s environment, how it affects them and how to make changes as needed
- To recognize that your loved one with dementia is doing the best they can, and if a situation isn’t optimal, it’s your responsibility to change your approach to find out what can be done differently to improve the situation
Along with the four points of the core philosophy, the PAC approach emphasizes the importance of building a supportive caregiver team as early as possible to help reduce the risk of caregiver burnout and ensure the best possible care for the individual with dementia. The approach also stresses that embracing joy and choosing to look for moments to celebrate is essential for both the individual with dementia and the caregiver. By doing this, you can reinforce relationships, build bonds and maintain a high quality of life for everyone involved.
The PAC Approach for Family Caregivers
“I believe it’s not about where the journey ends, it’s about who you are with and how you get there,” says Teepa on her website. That’s a good foundation to build from for family caregivers who are providing care for their loved one with dementia. Here are some tips from Teepa on how to integrate PAC approaches into your daily life.
Unexpected and sometimes difficult behavior is part of the daily journey of caring for someone with dementia. Teepa suggests that instead of immediately attempting to stop the behavior that caregivers should take the time to notice and understand what’s really going on. Your loved one with dementia is more than likely attempting to communicate or express a need. While stopping a potentially harmful behavior is important, caregivers are challenged to figure out the why, respond to that and ultimately make a difference in the quality of life of their loved one.
Meaningful days are essential to the well-being of all people, whether we have dementia or not. Finding ways to create meaning for your loved one through the four categories of activity will help your loved one feel purposeful, productive and valued. These categories are:
- Work: Being able to make a difference and provide value to others. For your loved one with dementia, this can be helping wash the dishes, setting the table for dinner or any other task that can allow them to feel like they’ve contributed in some way.
- Leisure: These are activities that we enjoy because they’re fun, make us feel good or simply bring us happiness, like watching a favorite movie, going on a walk or looking through old photos.
- Self-Care: Taking care of ourselves makes us feel good, whether that’s getting dressed up, getting our daily amount of exercise or buying a new pair of slippers.
- Rest & Restoration: We don’t often think of rest as an activity, but it’s an important aspect of our well-being. Think of this as taking time to recharge, whether it’s through a massage, a good night’s sleep or attending a church service.
Using music is an oft-touted approach to dementia care, and Teepa recommends using it at least twice a day for your loved one with dementia. It’s a powerful way to help calm behavior, lift spirits and provide meaningful connections. Using it in conjunction with an activity can help stimulate a sense of purpose and meaning and elicit positive feelings for everyone.
Caring for Caregivers and Their Loved Ones
The PAC approach is just one of the ways Bridges® by EPOCH at Mashpee provides support for individuals with dementia and their caregivers – whether they are part of our community or not.
“We appreciate and respect those who care for their loved ones at home, and are here for them to provide support, assistance and advice,” says Nat. “Our activities and events are open to the public, and we encourage caregivers to bring their loved ones with dementia along to have fun, interact with others and see how a community like Bridges® by EPOCH at Mashpee can be there for them.”
Peace of Mind for Cape Cod Seniors and Their Families
Bridges® by EPOCH at Mashpee provides assisted living memory care that is comfortable, positive, safe and engaging. Exclusively dedicated to caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia or memory impairment, we’ve created a wellness-focused lifestyle that promotes dignity and individual preferences. Our memory care professionals receive specialized and ongoing training designed to help residents maximize their independence in a secure, calm environment – making a truly positive impact on the lives of our residents each and every day.
Age in Place
While many memory care assisted living communities are unable to care for those whose memory loss has progressed, Bridges® by EPOCH at Mashpee can continue to provide a home and care no matter the stage. Our age in place philosophy helps residents avoid the stress often associated with moving to another community and offers peace of mind to their families. Perhaps the best benefit, your loved one remains in the care of those they’ve grown to know and trust.
Supportive, Engaging Services
At Bridges® by EPOCH at Mashpee, we offer a program of care and services that celebrates life and supports individual strengths. Our compassionate and engaging approach adapts to the unique challenges and individuality of each resident. No matter what stage of memory loss a resident may be experiencing, families can be sure their loved one will receive a full array of services and a high level of personalized attention.
Contact us today to learn more.