Feedback from participants included:

“This program is good for everyone as it is both educational and social”.

“I really enjoyed attending the program with my wife and enjoyed meeting the other participants – well done!”

“The BASIC program puts into practice all the things that we know are good for us but sometimes fail to do on our own”.

“Excellent presentations – great information and food for thought – when is the next workshop?”

The Memory Matters’ BASIC (Brain Agility and Social Interaction Club) was designed to bring seniors together who were interested in learning how to promote brain health, maximize memory and enhance quality of life through the years. Each week the group met to go through a structured program which included a physical warm up, an educational presentation, social break and then interactive activities that got the whole group working together. Participants included couples, friends and singles that varied in age from 60’s to 80’s. Due to the overwhelming success Memory Matters will be offering more BASIC workshops in the New Year. For more information or to reserve your spot… please call (613) 720-4655 (space is limited).

In an article in the Canadian Alzheimer Disease Review, April 2003, Dr. Epp of the University of Waterloo, states that focusing on a person’s losses only aggravates the problem, causing a greater loss of personhood. He writes that person-centred care rests on the principle that “an individual’s life experience, unique personality and network of relationships should be valued and used to their fullest to sustain personhood.”

This approach to memory and cognitive challenges is as much a philosophy as a treatment model. As Dr. Epp points out, as such it raises a key philosophical question: what is personhood? To answer that question we can turn to a Canadian professor of philosophy, Dr. Thomas De Koninck  of Laval University. He writes that the core of the meaning of personhood is that each and every person has an absolute value, not a relative value. No one is less or more a person because of his abilities or limitations. But does this apply to someone whose judgement has been impaired by age or illness? The answer  begins with the observation that by the word individual we mean the indivisible uniqueness of the human person—the unity of body and soul. Regardless of the state the living body is in, the body and soul remain undivided and consequently, the individual person is there and possesses full human dignity.

We arrive then at the inescapable conclusion that no human being, regardless of their  condition, can ever be reduced to the status of an object rather than a person. The human being remains an end in himself, and must never be reduced to a means to an end. By recognizing the indivisibility, the uniqueness of each individual, we respect their human dignity and recognize their personhood. It is not something we confer on others but something we appreciate. In doing so we are appreciating the beauty of a person’s life. And it is this beauty that gives true meaning to each life, no matter what state the body or mind is in. With this  definition of personhood, we can build a caring relationship that emphasizes the integrity of the individual and opens up possibilities for meaning and sense that are entirely missed when we mistakenly locate the self entirely in the mind or entirely in the body.

The percentage of seniors in our society is growing at an unprecedented rate, yet we seem to live in a youth-obsessed culture.  This obsession with youth affects how older adults are viewed as well as how older adults view themselves.  It is challenging to find films and magazines that depict attractive, purposeful seniors yet any grocery/drug store check out is packed with scantily clad, teeny types being quoted about how to live  fuller, happier lives with flat abs and a tight bottom – like they’ve had years to defy gravity or to face life’s challenges!  Sadly, most of us are never taught that there is beauty in smile lines or silver hair.  We, as a society tend to perpetuate the misconception that youth trumps experience, acquired skills, maturity and life lessons which is perplexing because down deep I believe we all know differently (I hope we do).

Stereotypes people hold have a way of seeping out and alienating those around them.  You know what I’m talking about – those back handed compliments such as “You look so good for your age” or my favourite “I hope I look that good when I’m her age” to which I’m thinking “sister, you don’t look that good now!”  These types of comments are generally intended as compliments and most seniors choose to graciously accept them as such.  However there are times when people’s insensitivity and perhaps ignorance goes too far, resulting in unfair prejudices.  Recently I heard someone, who thinks of herself as a seniors’ advocate, say that she will just hang up her car keys when she turns 80 as most people over age 80 probably shouldn’t be on the road – What? – How outrageous a statement is that?  What if you still have places to go and people to see and things to get done?  The issue at hand is one of ability – not of age!

What about reports of physicians not investigating symptoms or concerns of seniors because they are all too comfortable attributing the symptoms to aging thus they either do nothing at all or all too quickly write out a prescription.  This is a serious matter as people may not receive appropriate diagnosis and intervention for a treatable condition or disease.  Consider too, the assumption that seniors are old fashioned, rooted in the past and unable to change. These beliefs are so limiting.  Sadly, I have had seniors say “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” to which I respond “Oh yes you can”.  We know that improving ones lifestyle in terms of diet, exercise, engagement and cognitive stimulation can positively impact a senior’s health and well-being (just as it would anyone else).  Again, it is a matter of human need not age!

There are many hypotheses as to why ageism exists but perhaps the one which seems to be the most common and widely cited is directly correlated with our society’s fear of growing older.   Like most prejudices we create and exaggerate differences between ourselves and others thereby creating distances (a comfort buffer) so that we do not have to acknowledge that we are all the same.  With ageism it seems we are insulating ourselves from the fact that a long life leads to old age and ultimately death.  Unlike other “isms” (such as racism and sexism) ageism is not static, thus everyone may eventually be subjected to ageism.  So what better argument could there be for stopping to think before we make comments about our older citizens for as we all know it is only a matter of time…

Call to register by March 20. Space is limited.

613-733-4776

Ann will also be speaking at 2pm on March 30th in Carleton Place, ON; at 7:30pm on April 7th at St. Joseph’s Church, Ottawa, ON; and at 2pm on April 15th at Chartwell Kanata, Kanata, ON. For more details on these presentations or to book a presentation for you group, please contact Nicole Scheidl at nscheidl@memorymatters.ca

The importance of cognitive stimulation in relation to dementia may be new to some but it has long been recognized as an essential component of human development and mental and emotional well being.  In addition, we are also seeing the emergence of more data that psychosocial interventions actually improve quality of life of persons with dementia as well as for the family.  Reframing the situation from a focus on “all that has been lost” to one of “all that still remains” may ultimately be the most meaningful source of support.

We all intuitively know that mental and physical stimulation promotes over all wellness. Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) provides this type of stimulation to individuals whose cognitive functions are impaired due to mild cognitive impairement (MCI) or some form of early to mid stage dementia. CST promotes communication, affects a positive mood for the individual with an increase in self-confidence and motivation to engage.

Recent research recognizes that the brain has the ability to regenerate thereby creating new connections. The new connections may compensate for those lost and assist with maintaining abilities. Cognitive stimulation encourages the neuroplasticity of the brain to find new pathways.

Memory loss that is not normal includes repeating questions or statements within the same day or conversation,without recollection of saying the same thing before; forgetting names of simple objects, or close family members and not always remembering them later; forgetting how to perform activities, which previously were done very well.

Dr. Frank outlined the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease in our aging population and outlined some of the Cholinestrase Inhibitors that are currently available for treatment of the disease. He stressed that these medications only help a little and do not make a dramatic difference. He also addressed the elements of lifestyle  that can help prevent Alzheimer’s disease including the control of “vascular” risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high blood sugar, that weaken the brain and make it more vulnerable. He also underlined mental and physical exercises and social involvement as being key elements of Alzheimer’s prevention.

Dr. Frank also outlined some of the research that is being done and highlighted the development of  new treatments which aim to remove amyloid and tau build-up in the brain. These treatments are also entering phase 3 studies in the USA and Canada including a group at Élisabeth Bruyere Hospital with which Dr. Frank is associated. Information on clinical trials in the USA can be found at www.clinicaltrials.gov

As Ann pointed out  giving up things and interacting less can cause a downward spiral in an individual which undermines personal confidence. Memory Matters focuses on positive, one-on-one interaction to rebuild lost skills and confidence and renew a persons zest for living. As reseach has shown, health is strongly correlated with fulfillment and the cognitive stimulation therapy provided by Memory Matters helps individuals to make life memorable and enriching.