September 2008 - For many of us, creating and reliving wonderful memories on a day-to-day basis is something we truly take for granted.  We reminisce about times spent as a family and look forward to creating new memories to cherish for a lifetime.  For a family dealing with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related illnesses, memories are often distant and are the only things a family can hold onto when their loved one has been diagnosed with this progressive and fatal brain disease. 

For a person struggling with dementia, memories are forgotten and the family is then burdened to deal with the pain of their loved one losing their cognitive ability due to the effects of this disease.  For two local families, dealing with Alzheimer’s and living with this disease has become a bit easier thanks to a new groundbreaking dementia care program called Connections, offered by the Heritage Rehab & Skilled Nursing facilities.

Alzheimer’s Disease Defined

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s is a brain disorder named for German physician Alois Alzheimer, who first described it in 1906. Today we know that Alzheimer’s is a progressive and fatal brain disease. As many as 5 million Americans are living with the disease. Alzheimer's destroys brain cells, causing problems with memory, thinking, and behavior severe enough to affect work, lifelong hobbies, and social life.

Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia, is a general term for the loss of memory and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life.  Alzheimer’s currently has no cure, but treatments for symptoms, combined with the right services and support, can make life better for the millions of Americans living with it.  The right services and the needed support are available right here in Chautauqua County. 

Connections

Connections is a groundbreaking program developed by Heritage Ministries.  It is a multi-faceted, person-centered dementia care program designed to engage skilled nursing residents in purposeful activities.  Connections is offered at Heritage Park (Jamestown), Heritage Green (Greenhurst), and Heritage Village (Gerry) Rehab & Skilled Nursing.  Connections includes an in-patient Day Center (or the new “Protective Care Unit” at Heritage Village) and focuses on and validates the residents’ remaining cognitive, emotional, physical, and social abilities, rather than their losses.

Nearly 15% of seniors age 71 and older have dementia of some sort, and nearly two-thirds of those have Alzheimer’s, a new analysis suggests.  That is equal to about 3.4 million Americans with dementia of some kind, according to a National Institutes of Health-sponsored study. 

Connections provides greater flexibility in resident participation, as residents from all units of a skilled nursing facility are able to participate.  The program is run by staff in the Activities department, with assistance from Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs).  In this model, residents who typically remain on their unit without formal activity due to behaviors or intolerance can participate by daily attending the inpatient day care program.  The program provides the resident with a structured and purposeful day.  

Connections Makes a Difference

For Dianna Buttafaro, accepting her mother Josephine Grice’s diagnosis of dementia and placing her mother in skilled nursing was not an easy decision.  After a year as a resident at Heritage Park Rehab & Skilled Nursing, Josephine is now involved in Connections.  Dianna can now rest easy knowing her mother is being cared for and is being challenged to stay mentally active.

“My mom has been a widow for over thirty years,” states Dianna.  “She was a homemaker and was one of eleven children.  She was very active and social and liked to go out dancing and enjoyed life.  When the decision presented itself, it was difficult to move my mother out of her home.  Initially, she was placed in assisted living, but it became more evident as time passed, that she required more progressive care that only a skilled nursing facility could provide.”

“Since participating in Connections, my mother has shown improvement in weight-gain and has enhanced her sleeping habits and eating patterns,” explains Dianna. “For my family, this program has been a true relief for us!  When we came to visit Mom before the Connections program existed, we would leave here depressed.  It was deflating to see her sad and depressed.  But since her participation in Connections, we have seen a dramatic change in her overall attitude.  Visits are much more pleasant and enjoyable!  This program has filled a real void in my mother’s life.  I would definitely recommend Connections to others in the community.  I am confident it will make a definitive difference in your loved one’s life who is affected by dementia.”

For Jackie Cannon, daughter of Connections resident Charlie Jarosz, Connections has had a positive impact on not only her father, but her entire family.  “Connections has made such a dramatic improvement on my father’s overall attitude and outlook,” explains Jackie.  “My father is more talkative, awake, and is generally more upbeat when we come to visit him.  Before Connections existed, we would visit and there would be no conversation at all.  But since his participation in the program, his social interactions have improved dramatically.  This has allowed our visits with him to be more productive and enjoyable.”

“My father was a very active and handy man,” explains Jackie. “He and my mother owned and operated the Chartone Restaurant in Randolph for many years.  One of his favorite work experiences was constructing pinball machines and wooden music boxes. He loved working with his hands and did so up until he no longer was able to.  This program has made a difference not only in my father’s life, but in my family’s as well.  It is nice for me to be able to talk to my children, who live outside of the area, about their grandfather since they are so close to him.  It is important to share with them different things my father has said or done.  So often, before Connections, there was never anything to share with my children since there was no conversation with my father during our visits.”

Jackie adds, “My recommendation to others dealing with dementia is to take it one day at a time.  One thing I have learned is to go with the flow, so to speak, and let a conversation develop from your loved one’s perspective.  I would definitely recommend Connections to others who may be in need of these services.  I am able to visit my father and interact with him, instead of watching him sleep.  It is a special time I look forward to spending with him each and every day.” 

The People Behind Connections

A program such as Connections is only as good as the staff that administers it.  Trecia Meachum, Connections Facilitator at Heritage Park, and the many activity assistants and CNAs are dedicated to providing residents of Connections with purposeful activities.

“Facilitating the Connections program is one of the most rewarding jobs I have ever had,” states Trecia.  “It is a job that gives my day a real purpose.  More importantly, at the end of the day, I am confident that what I do, truly has meaning to someone’s life.  Before Connections, most of our dementia residents wouldn’t experience daily purpose.  Now, when I arrive for work each morning, some of the residents walk with me to my office asking what activities are scheduled for the day. It truly is a special feeling to watch someone who accomplished little to nothing, come alive with a great purpose to get up in the morning.”

Trecia adds, “When people think of dementia, they think of a person who can no longer live a meaningful life.  Our Connections residents can do some amazing things.  They are loving, caring people who have a lot to offer. Ironically, the staff always receives thank yous from our residents and their family members, but I really think we should be the ones thanking them.  Even on our hardest days, they can make all of us smile.  You can’t ask for anything better than that.”

A Commitment to Dementia Care

Heritage Ministries is committed to providing engaging dementia care that promotes hope, dignity, and purposeful living on a daily basis.  Soon, Heritage Ministries will begin construction of an official Connections Center on the second floor of Heritage Park.  Thanks to the generous support of the Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation, Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, Johnson Foundation, Butterfield Memorial Foundation, Senator Catharine Young’s Member Initiative Grant, and the Hultquist Foundation, the new Connections Center will allow Heritage Park to enable those afflicted with Alzheimer’s and dementia to enjoy a better quality of life, while extending the period of time they can enjoy it.  Funding is also being sought to add a Connections Center at Heritage Green within the next year.

To learn more about Connections, please contact Heritage Admissions at (716) 484-6695 or click here .