New Horizons implements new approach to dementia care

An all new positive approach for dementia patients is underway at the New Horizons Care Center. The new approach is being led by clinical educator Katie Weinand, who just completed 80 hours of PAC (Positive Approach to Care) training. The Hospital Foundation paid for the training through its fundraising efforts.

Weinand is now certified in this new positive approach to care of dementia patients and is already in the process of training her colleagues at the care center. The method was developed by Teepa Snow, an occupational therapist specializing in dementia care with the PAC organization.

The PAC method involves simple techniques based on understanding the areas of the brain that are no longer functioning properly and parts of the brain that are still active and functioning. The belief is that a patient with dementia can live a meaningful life, even with Alzheimers, Lewy Body, frontotemporal or other forms of dementia.

The positive approach emphasizes what patients can do, not what they can’t do, explained Weinand. She is sharing practical hands-on techniques she learned in her training with fellow nurses and other staff who work with dementia patients in the care center. 

Weinand said the training emphasized how to physically approach a patient for a less stressful interaction. Techniques like “hand under hand” utilize a patient’s remaining muscle memory to assist with daily living activities like eating, drinking and personal care. She said she also learned how to stage a patient’s dementia and to use this information to improve the quality of daily interactions with the patient. 

“By understanding the stage they are in, we can connect with patients in different ways,” she said.

She said she was surprised to learn in her training how different the dementia brain is from a normal brain. She said having that understanding helped her to also understand how vision, processing and auditory senses are affected, as well.

Weinand plans to pass on all of the techniques she learned in six-hour training sessions, followed up with individual support.

“Part of the process is understanding what’s normal with aging and not normal,” Weinand explained. “We review what’s happening with the brain in dementia and by understanding that we can offer a new appreciation and understanding for the patient. It’s really meaningful to be able to understand that. It allows a more positive approach to focus on what patients can do.”

Weinand said she is excited to pass on what she learned in her training to family members, who may be at a loss for knowing what skills to use to best interact with their loved one. She said New Horizons will also be hosting a monthly dementia education and support group on the third Wednesday of the month, starting at 5 p.m. in the care center’s multi-purpose room.

The support group is geared toward both family members of patients at New Horizons and people trying to take care of their loved ones with dementia at home. She said the idea is to offer support, resources and education to the community during the one-hour sessions. Sessions will also offer opportunity for attendees to ask questions and talk about their experiences.

New Horizons Care Center has a special wing designed specifically for memory care. Weinand said eventually the wing will be expanded into a nearby space to house more patients with memory issues.

“Not a lot of places are offering memory care anymore,” she said. “We hope to expand our services. The goal is to add more services that are, of course, good services. We want to be able to give the very best care that we can to our patients.”

For more information, contact Weinand at 548-5682.