“The Scientific Editor”

Targeted Memory Program Results – Case Study 06007OTL

Case Review:
This 84 year old female client was living in an apartment with her live in caregiver. The client had lost her husband suddenly – just 2 weeks before we began the program. It had been her husbands wish that his wife participate in the Pathways to Memory program. The Client has 4 children – the oldest son living nearby and staying the most involved.

The Client was very pleasant during our initial assessment – but very confused. She was not oriented to time or place and felt very confused about whether or not the funeral for her husband was being planned or if it had already occurred. It was determined that she was experiencing stage 2 of a memory impairing illness.

The Journey Begins

The first session:
In her work career, this Client had been a scientific editor and her attention to detail was very acute. Her attention span, verbal skills and writing skills were still very sharp and she scrutinized the Pathways to Memory kit materials carefully during the sessions – even pointing out details that the Partner had not noticed before. Even with the positive compliments from her Partner, the client would seem distant and described herself as being “disconnected”.

By the 3rd Week:
We worked on time/place orientation as well as working toward helping the client with her activities of daily living. In an effort to assist the client, the family and live in caretaker had taken over any task that the client struggled with – including serving herself in the kitchen or helping around the house with daily household tasks – thus she had lost her ability to locate the tea, the sugar, the cups… and had become solely dependant on them for her every need. We worked on recognizing where objects were located in the kitchen and discovered memory cues to assist her in managing her calendar, address/phone book and other important items.

By the 12th Session:
The Client was experiencing ups and downs during the program – as was to be expected with such a great loss, however, she was able to express herself well and talk about her feelings. Some days she would express her anxiety and we would spend additional time reminiscing and discussing family, which brought her comfort.

She began to comment on past session exercises and current exercises and would recall if we had used a particular tool during a session – demonstrating that her short term memory was improving along with her confidence and self esteem.

Results and Outcomes
The day of the week and date continued to challenge the client, but she had memory cues and clues to help her remain oriented. She would use the relaxation techniques taught to her and this would definitely help.

The Client commented at the end of 12 weeks “I am feeling more like myself again!”

Initial MMSE score: 21 Concluding MMSE score: 25
Increase of 19% in cognitive ability

Initial 7 minute screen score: 37 Concluding 7 minute screen score: 49
Increase of 32%

The Journey Continues

I spoke with the son at the end of the sessions. He reported that his mother seemed better at recalling events when they were on holiday together and that she had been journaling each day. The Client recounted to me that she wasn’t sure about this program when we began, but participated because her family had wanted this for her – “but now I know it helped me because I’m more organized in my mind.”

Pathways to Memory™ is a memory enhancing program targeted to restore cognitive abilities, skills, and independence for those who have Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or other memory impairing illnesses.

Contact us for more information about Pathways to Memory™ or to locate a Pathways provider in your area.

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