Homewatch CareGivers New, Expanded Pathways to Memory™ Program to Help Enhance Cognitive Function for Patients with Memory Loss

Posted on September 18, 2009 by Suzanne Musial

International home care provider extends its leadership in private memory loss treatment with updated program that parallels recent implicit memory research

Greenwood Village, COLO – Based on the ground-breaking program released in 2005, Homewatch CareGivers, 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.

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.