THE EFFECTS OF A BRAIN HEALTH FOCUS WITHIN LONG-TERM MEMORY CARE

Abstract

Long-term memory care is often assumed to serve a custodial function in the care of those with Alzheimer’s Disease. Nexus is an evidence- based program that consists of twenty hours of specialized programming based on six pillars of brain health. These pillars include physical activity, stress reduction, social clubs with purposeful activity, cognitive compensation strategies, iPad Brain Fitness using the Brain HQ program developed by Posit Science and a participant support group. As a part of the Nexus program, there are regular assessments of mood, behavior, cognition and functional status Upon move-in, an MMSE, Cornell Scale of Depression in Dementia, Brief Agitation Rating Scale and ADCS-Adl-severe is completed. Any new resident scoring 15 and above is eligible to participate in Nexus. The MMSE is repeated every 6 months. The Cornell Scale, Brief Agitation Rating Scale and ADCS-ADL-severe scale are completed quarterly. Assessments are done by the MSW within the community. Preliminary results from 2 communities are showing some intriguing improvements in behavior, cognition and function over 6 months despite all participants having a dementia. In the first community: 5 of 8 improved on the MMSE and 5 out of 14 improved in functional ability. In the second community, 3 of 15 Nexus residents improved over 6 months on the MMSE and 9 of 16 Nexus residents improved in functional ability. In Alzheimer’s Disease, there can be improvements in mood, behavior, cognition or function with a brain health focus within a person-centered medical/social hybrid model of long term memory care. Further research is ongoing to identify the specific elements of both the Nexus program and the environment which lead to the clinical improvements seen and then replicating these results in all 31 Silverado memory care communities.