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Statistics have documented four million people with Alzheimer’s disease. One in ten over the age of 65 and over half of 85-year- olds suffer from this dreaded disease. By the year 2050, estimates of over 14 million diagnosed cases have been projected. Alzheimer’s disease robs the person of self-identity. It destroys one’s personhood. Because Alzheimer’s disease has been portrayed as the scourge of old age, many people tend to dismiss its significance and impact on society as a whole. The seriousness of this disease cannot be under-estimated. The diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease carries with it a stigma of sorts; one fraught with negativity. Most people do not or can not envision the ramifications of this affliction. The care required for a person with Alzheimer’s disease is exhausting, frustrating, and often tears at the fabric of quality life. Most caregivers have a difficult time caring for a loved one diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Oftentimes, they do not know what to do, where to go for support, or how to handle the enormous burden of stress. Research has offered up much new information regarding a person-centered approach to care. Recently, an assemblage of twelve students and professors took advantage of the opportunity to study “New Approaches to Dementia Care” at a summer school held in the Dementia Services Development Center, the Iris Murdoch Building, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland, July 15-28, 2004. The congregate of scholars and health care providers have been affectionately dubbed “The Stirling Twelve.” Those attending the conference were: Dr. Christopher Johnson, ULM gerontology; Roxann Johnson, President, Aging Consultants, Inc. in Monroe; Dr. Marsha McGee, ULM sociology; Dr. Bonnie Hatchett, ULM Biedenharn Endowed Chair in gerontology; Debra Gatton-Bridges, RN, ULM gerontology; Elizabeth Faulk, ULM graduate student; Manda Mountain, ULM Graduate Student; Brenda Fountain, RN, Glenwood Regional Medical Center, West Monroe; Janice Simon, Dietary Supervisor, St. Frances Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Oberlin, Louisiana; Vivian Cole, Quality Assurance Manager, St. Frances Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Oberlin, LA; Dr. Angus Michaels, Medical Director of the Reginald P. White Nursing Facility in Meridian, MS, and Bethanie Hall, Student in Health Sciences at Florida Gulf Coast University. Under the auspices of Professor Mary Marshall, the classes revolved around lectures, visits to community service organizations and feedback/ review sessions conducted by leading practitioners in the field of dementia. The program involved an international dimensionality with contributors and participants from the USA, Germany, Switzerland, Brazil, England, Scotland, and Ireland. Topics covered included New Ways of Thinking About Dementia, Home Based Models of Day and Respite Care, Spirituality and Intimacy, Food and Drink, Arts and Dementia, Mobility and Walking.Visits to various community services were arranged in Stirling, Glasgow, and Edinburgh. Prior to the visits, important issues were discussed; among them: Staff Support and Training, Care Planning, Design and Dementia,Re-thinking Alzheimer’s, and New Clinical Thinking. A special highlight of the conference was the presentation of “New Ways of Thinking About Dementia” by Dr. Chris Johnson. He put forth the theory model of Alzheimer’s disease as a “Trip Back in Time” co-authored by Roxann Johnson, herself a Gerontologist and leading expert in training of professional caregivers who work with Alzheimer’s individuals. Mrs. Johnson presented her ideas in several areas including staff training, design for dementia, behavioral changes and was the lead participant in several group work sessions. Both Dr. and Mrs. Johnson were outstanding in exchanging concepts and thoughts about the “Person-Centered Approach to Care.” This trip was especially poignant, in that two of the participants’ parents had succumbed to Alzheimer’s disease. Several more participants’ relatives have recently been diagnosed as well. Lastly, the “Stirling Twelve” would like to express their sympathy to our friend whose mother passed away a few short days after our arrival home. Our friend was grateful that she was with us in Scotland as it gave her other siblings a final opportunity to bond with their mother. She now hopes to take her new found knowledge to others who may have suffered a similar plight. The “Stirling Twelve” would like to gratefully acknowledge the kindness of Dr. G. Dale Welch and Mrs. Welch for driving us to Dallas for our connecting flight and for bringing us safely home to our loved ones. We also want to give a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Chris Johnson and Roxann Johnson for planning and coordinating the trip. Manda Mountain deserves extra kudos for her hours spent planning, and for keeping everyone together and managing the complicated itinerary. Persons interested in learning more about “New Approaches to Dementia Care” and the Scotland trip are urged to call Dr. Chris Johnson at 342-1467. Note: The ULM Institute of Gerontology and the Louisiana Alzheimer’s Association co-hosted the Louisiana Alzheimer’s Disease Conference on the ULM campus on October 7 and 8 for family and caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s disease and for health care professionals and service providers. |
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