Page 16 - Senior Times South Central Michigan - October 2017 - 24-10
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675 Wagner Dr, Battle Creek, MI (269) 969-6244 www.advantageliving.net
Short Term Rehab | Spacious Private Rooms Specialized Alzheimer’s | Dementia Unit
Most Insurances Accepted Including Medicare & Medicaid
Excellent Care For An Independent Life
900 Territorial Road W, Battle Creek, Michigan 49015 Call 269-968-0300 or lakeviewmgr@gmail.com
An apartment community for seniors 55 and older
(Between Capital Avenue and 20th Street)
Happy Halloween!
No one funeral service
is right for every person. That’s why we offer a variety of options for the most appropriate service, the most fitting farewell.
105 Capital Ave., NE • 269-962-5527 • www.farleyestesdowdle.com BATTLE CREEK | AUGUSTA | RICHLAND
SPECIALISTS IN HEARING CARE
You Deserve The Best... You Want Our Personalized, Affordable Care
battlecreekhearingaids.com
269-979-6455
3566 Capital Ave SW • Battle Creek (One Mile South Of 1-94)
269-953-1120
300 Meadow Run Drive Suite 3 • Hastings, MI
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We Participate With Most Insurances
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Certified Audiologists:
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Senior Times - October 2017
Melodious Memories –
Walk-In Service Always Welcome For Cleaning & Repairs | Mon-Fri 9am - 5pm
Charlotte’s Story – Thumbs Up!
By: Ann Conklin, Evergreen Senior Care & Rehab Center
We are finding that music reaches the soul, touches the heart and takes us back in time. It can open long-closed doors in the brain ... we are continuing to work to open those doors.
Hello again from Evergreen Senior Care & Rehab Center, where we are part of a pilot program focusing on music and dementia. The program has been up and running and has become part of the daily routine for some of our residents. We con- tinue to provide the Melodious Memories music program scheduled for around 12 residents, but we have about 25 residents involved in the program to some degree. Today we are sharing Charlotte’s story.
Charlotte is a long term resident of our facility, she does not have Alzheimer’s type dementia, rather Vascular demen- tia. Charlotte was chosen to be involved in the program in an attempt to open some form of communication with her. Charlotte is non-verbal, unable to express her desires. She is dependent on staff to meet all of her needs.
When Charlotte first came to us she had no way of communicating with us. Some staff members said they thought
she could blink one of her eyes once for yes and twice for no; this writer had never experienced this reaction from her. Many attempts were made to form some level
of communication with her, she did not respond much, occasionally she made direct eye contact, or if talking to her about something in the area she seemed to look to see what was being talked about.
Charlotte has many issues, which affect her level of cognition. Charlotte is brought to many activities and many sen- sory activities were provided to her.
Music seemed to be something that retained her attention. Still silent, still closed off... until one day. One of the Life Enrichment staff, Julie, was provid- ing hand care to Charlotte and said to Charlotte that she was having difficulty reaching her thumb; Charlotte raised
her thumb so that Julie could get to it – WOW!
Now to the Melodious Melodies pro- gram. Charlotte is on a scheduled listen- ing program and is offered music at least five times weekly.
What we have noticed with Charlotte is that she is more attentive, makes and holds eye contact longer, she listens – sometimes making a hum- ming sound. (Now Charlotte sometimes moans when she is uncomfortable but this sound is different.)
When Charlotte had been in the pro- gram for some time, we began to attempt more in depth interactions with her. We explained to her that if her answer is “yes” we needed her to give us a thumbs up, when asked if she understood she lifted her thumb. Mind you, she had not been able to do this when requested (by Life Enrichment staff) prior to the time with Julie. She was then asked if she likes the music. – Thumbs up. Do you want to continue to listen to the music? – Thumbs up. Do you remember this song? – Thumbs up.
We have discovered that Charlotte enjoys music from the 70’s and 80’s. That she sometimes is able to move her thumb to the beat of the music, that she under- stands most of what we are saying to her when she has the music going. We have also found that she is following directions better with other staff in the facility and is somewhat more attentive during other interactions. She is sometimes uncomfort- able and we offer the music. This often helps her to relax and sleep.
Is any of this life changing? We believe that it is for Charlotte. We now feel that we have some meaningful level of communication; we know that she enjoys the music. The music will not heal Charlotte, it will not make her whole again, this is a given. But as we are find- ing, music reaches the soul, touches the heart and takes us back in time. It can open long-closed doors in the brain... We are continuing to work to open those doors.
Parkinson’s
Rock Steady Boxing is a non-con- tact boxing/circuit program for people at all stages of Parkinson’s disease. The goal is to improve balance, strength and overall movement. Also, maximize the mental, emotional and physical potential of people with Parkinson’s disease.
Rock Steady Boxing is offered at Rock Solid Wellness Studio, 1332 E
Columbia Ave. in Battle Creek. Classes begin Monday, October 9 and will be held Mondays and Thursdays 5:30- 6:45pm.
To participate, a one-on-one assess- ment is required. Assessments are offered on Wednesdays by appoint- ment. Call Karin Gallagher at (269) 209-5259 for details.
Fitness Class