Over 6 million people in the United States are living with Alzheimer’s, and millions more of their loved ones are affected by this disease. Treating Alzheimer’s can be difficult because each day and each person is different. To those living with Alzheimer’s, life can be confusing and full of uncertainty. For their loved ones, it can be heartbreaking and exhausting. For everyone, it is about taking it one day at a time.
A Different Approach to Memory Care
As the only Positive Approach to Care (PAC)-designated organization in the state, we are uniquely qualified to care for those living with varying levels of dementia. The PAC methodology was founded by dementia expert Teepa Snow in 2005 and focuses on building relationships based on authenticity, empowerment, compassion, and curiosity. Our Person-Centered Approach to Care focuses on making connections and providing meaningful moments for residents and their loved ones.
Holland Home employees go through specialized dementia training to improve the care they provide. One innovative method, called the Dementia Journey, uses virtual reality to mimic the confusion that comes with dementia. Using sound, vision, and sensory impairments, team members are asked to manage the daily tasks that dementia patients go through. This unique approach gives the caregiver a higher level of insight into the disease, empathy for what the patient is facing, and greater compassion in their care.
   
“After the simulation, we’ll have some staff that are tearful, saying, 'I had no idea it was like that for them.' It really is an 'A-ha' moment for many people, and it makes a huge difference in the way we care for Memory Care residents.”

Lois Thomas, RN

And it’s not just Memory Care staff that go through this process, all Holland Home staff go through the dementia journey training to better understand how to communicate and interact with those with varying levels of dementia.
Making Moments Meaningful
Patients with dementia and Alzheimer’s often live in the moment. So, it's important for us to make each of those moments meaningful. With our unique approach to care, we’re blessed to experience many meaningful moments with our residents like this one:
“Recently, I was working with one woman who is now largely non-verbal because of the state of dementia. I was standing by her side, and I started to sing, “You Are My Sunshine.” I paused after the first verse, and we continued singing the rest of the song together. To see her huge smile when we finished and to be able to connect with someone in that way was truly amazing,” Lois shared.
Qualities of a Caregiver
“You need to be very curious and persistent. Researching the different types of dementia and different scenarios you might encounter is essential. There’s also a lot of trying—different approaches to training, new care techniques, finding creative ways to engage with residents. Memory Care can be difficult work, and it takes someone who knows how to seek out information and is willing to think outside the box and accept that some days a technique will work and some days it won’t. It takes a lot of patience and empathy. But, you keep going, and some days, things just click.”
Making an Impact in Memory Care
While the search for a cure for Alzheimer’s continues, the Holland Home Memory Care team is dedicated to improving the lives of those living with the disease and their loved ones. Over the years, we have learned that while there might be bad days, there are always good moments. Whether it’s singing a song or just a look of understanding, those moments motivate us to keep going. To learn more about our special PAC designation and Memory Care services, click here.