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Franchise Partner Spotlight: Paul Bonacuse

6/23/2010 10:45:57 AM

Paul Bonacuse, Homewatch CareGivers’ franchise partner in Akron/Cleveland, Ohio, provides superior Alzheimer's and dementia care with the Pathways to Memory program.

Franchise Partner: Paul Bonacuse

Location: Akron/Cleveland, Ohio

What inspired you to implement the Pathways to Memory program?

When we look at all of the clients we care for, nearly 95 percent of them have some form of dementia. Often, family members reach out to us initially because their loved one forgets to eat, doesn’t take medications as needed, or doesn’t shower routinely. If we can make a difference in the lives of our clients and their families, while also trying to combat dementia, it’s a win-win for all. We also present Pathways to Memory services as an economically smart decision for families. Our focused Memory Training Service is a 12-week intensive program and our Specialized Dementia Care Services offer day-to-day support and assistance. If the one or both of these services can keep their loved one functioning well enough to stay at home, or at an independent living facility versus having to move them to assisted living or a skilled nursing facility, the investment makes complete sense.

What is the impact of dementia on the family caregiver — how can specialized caregivers help?  

Oftentimes, we step in at the beginning of a client affected by dementia, when their needs are acute. They may be forgetful, forget names, or drop words for years prior to our involvement, but the family caregiver may think it’s the person, not the disease. Typically, family caregivers we see are the wife of an elderly male or the daughter of an elderly female, and more often than not, they don’t understand dementia or its implications. They often are frustrated, irritated, and sometimes angry with their loved one. We try to remind them that they’re dealing with the same person, just with less functionality. Often, we refer the family caregivers of our clients to the local Alzheimer’s Association for education, therapy, and coping skills.

Share with us one Pathways client who has really touched you or your team.

We had one lady about a year and a half ago. She was one of those gals who used to be a thriving member in her retirement facility’s community — always active and socializing. When we came in, she was sleeping most of the day and completely withdrawn. Once we began Pathways to Memory, she looked forward to it. She slept less, became more social and active, and admitted to us nine weeks into the 12-week program, “It feels like the fog is lifting.” It felt so great to make a difference in the quality of her life.

Can you tell us more about the program and how your caregivers engage?

We use a lot of the puzzles and activities that are included in our Focused Memory Training, and try to gear every exercise towards building a client’s executive functioning. We also have had success reaching outside of Pathways to Memory program standard tasks, as well. We also have had success using Specialized Dementia Care Services, which are delivered by professionally trained caregivers. If we have a client who loved going to the grocery store and preparing a meal, but she hasn’t done it in three years, our Specialized Dementia Care providers take her to the store. We let her pick out her favorite foods, or ingredients for a special recipe, then have her make that meal or treat. With our caregiver’s assistance, the client cracks the egg, runs the mixer, and engages in something that used to be a part of every day life. These daily activities keep the memory revival going long after the Focused Memory Training specialist has left. It creates a wonderful synergy, and we hope it provides our clients even better results. By the end of this year, all of our caregivers will have Specialized Memory Care qualifications, so that they can better serve clients with dementia.

How does Pathways to Memory set your franchise apart from competitors in your area?

A lot of home care companies may say that they service patients with dementia, but nobody specifically responds to dementia with a special program, like Homewatch CareGivers’ Pathways to Memory. If 95 percent of our clients have some form of dementia, it would be foolish and unfair not to address it — not to try to turn back the clock. If six months ago, our client was going to a movie once a week and now she isn’t, we want to rewind the tape. We want our client to get to the movies once a week again, and the family members of our client to be able to say, “I feel like I have my wife/mom/sister back.”

Homewatch CareGivers

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