 The difference is the 24 patrons of this establishment; they all are
suffering from an insidious disease that slowly destroys the brain
cells of a human being. It is known as Alzheimer's.Lisa Johnson,
director of nursing at The Christian Village, and Pam Mulford,
Memory Care Unit director, led the tour through the area completely
remodeled eight years ago.
The first thing an observer notices is that outside each room are
glass shelving units hung on the walls. In these cases are
photographs, family treasures, favorite mementos or jewelry, and
anything else that the families think might help trigger a momentary
recognition from their loved one.
It is these outside stimuli that caregivers use as one of many
tools to find those bridges between their patients and this world
that in many cases they have left behind. Left behind, as the
disease tampers with and destroys those moments, those memories and
those remembrances that make us all recall who we are and who we
have been.
Johnson and Mulford stopped their tour at the outside patio,
where residents help plant flowers and tend the garden. Johnson
smiled as she noted that from time to time they have a beach party
out on the patio. One patient's family recently helped pull out a
row of bushes and planted flowers in the area.
It is this constant involvement and relationship with the
families that both Johnson and Mulford emphasized as important. At
the time of a person's admittance, the family is required to fill
out a detailed history of the patient. It's a complete background of
their life, including where they grew up, favorite shows and
hobbies, occupation, and names of family members. That information
and much more are included in a patient's memory album. Thus the
staff gets to know the past of a patient and can use this knowledge
to attempt another bridge with today.
Johnson explained, "We don't just accept a patient. We take in
the entire family."
Those first days can be hard on the family. Johnson said that it
is common for the patient to adjust quicker to the new surroundings
than it is for their caretakers. Every family and family member
takes the decision to give the care of their loved one over to
professionals differently. Emotions can run the gamut from sadness,
to guilt, anxiety and every other feeling that one can think of.
Families can gather solace in the fact they know they are giving
their family member to the most qualified of professionals, but it
can still be hard on them to leave a loved one in another's care.
As the walk continued, there was a stack of small boxes with
names on them. Mulford explained that they were the "interest
boxes." Depending on the individual, there can be any number of
things in each box. Whether a beautician, an artist or a housewife,
all would have wares of their trade within the box. These items are
used to stimulate memories, to build another bridge with today that
can be so hard to find with an Alzheimer's patient.
Walking on, Mulford explained how everyday activities are
promoted to help patients. Those who can help make foods make
anything from salads to chili. Smiling, Mulford stated, "Chili dogs
and root beer floats are a real favorite around here."
The end of the wing opens into a large room that houses a
giant-screen television. The television doesn't show the latest
cable movies, but rather tapes of "The Lawrence Welk Show" and Red
Skelton -- shows that might trigger a brief moment in remembering
days gone past that have been clouded over or lost.
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Animals can help with therapy in a hospital setting. As we walked
along, a chocolate cocker spaniel aptly named Hershey came up.
Hershey is the wing's official dog. After a quick scratch he
continued on his day's work to find the person, if just for a
moment, he might build a special bridge with.
Johnson and Mulford smilingly recalled the day Johnson brought a
horse to the wing. When asked if the horse actually came into the
building, Johnson nodded yes. Mulford's only suggestion at the time
was to have someone follow the horse with a shovel just in case.
Johnson said that the horse caused quite a stir with patients that
day. However, it was uncertain if the horse was able to build a
bridge with patients, or if he did, how many. That is always a
question.
The staff is determined to find those moments when something gets
triggered in a person that gives them those treasured glimpses of
who their patients were, and who they really are behind the veil of
the disease.
"Sometimes two patients will carry on a conversation with each
other but they are totally on different topics," Johnson said. But
they are here at that time, and another small bit of evidence that
these individuals still have moments of lucidity makes the staff
work harder to find still another bridge to reach them.
Triggers to a bridge can be so simple. Johnson mentioned that one
patient who worked for a major retailer comes back just a little bit
when they see the company's catalog.
Understanding the patients is important to everyone at the
center. The Christian Village staff believes that it is important
for everyone working there to understand the disease and be able to
cope with the problems the disease can create. From dietary help to
janitorial, all receive training in Alzheimer's.
Johnson is a 20-year hospice nurse who has been with The
Christian Village for six years. Mulford is a 32-year-on-the-job
nurse who, according to Johnson, "is one of most knowledgeable
persons in her field."
Mulford's passion is for helping Alzheimer's patients and their
families. "She will always give advice or help someone to find
resources. They don't have to be the family of a patient here,"
Johnson said.
Mulford offers a group support session every third Thursday for
families of those afflicted with the disease. The group is open to
everyone, not just families who have their loved ones in the
center's wing.
Johnson praised the staff and volunteers, saying that it takes
special people to be able to handle the constant demands that
working in the wing requires. "It is a gift," Johnson said with
great respect.
A gift that builds small bridges one moment at a time.
For more information on the Alzheimer's support group or The
Christian Village Memory Care Unit, individuals can contact Pam
Mulford at 732-2189.
[By MIKE FAK]
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