Cape Memory Care Staff Member Nominated for ALFA's Hero Award

Every year, the Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) Hero Awards recognize individuals who are ideal representatives of the hundreds of thousands of people serving in senior living communities.

It is our honor to nominate Brianne Johnston, PSS/CRMA and Residential Care Assistant. Bri joined Cape Memory Care (Woodlands Assisted Living of Cape Elizabeth, LLC) when the facility first opened its doors in November of 2010.

Bri exemplifies concern – for residents, their families and staff’s quality of life. As Bri says, about 40 times a day she asks herself, “If that were my mother, how would I want her to be treated?” “And she does just that!” shares Gloria C. the daughter of a resident. “On an initial tour of the facility she made us feel immediately at ease”. She not only familiarizes prospective family members with her facility but even at this early stage of the relationship she is determining what their loved one will need and how to best make that happen. She starts by asking about the person’s preferences. Then she uses that knowledge to tailor a plan of care that considers what time they like to get up, when and what they prefer to eat, when they take their meds. “She gives us peace of mind knowing that our mother is taken care of here, at Cape Memory Care.” All of her efforts are devoted to improving the quality of our residents’ lives.

As we all know, positive communication is a key to good care for people with dementia and Alzheimer’s. “Bri’s quick smile and enthusiasm have nudged my mom to involve herself in ways we could never get her to do!” writes Gloria. Bri is in constant contact with family members, medical offices, and vendors: coordinating medical appointments, ordering medications, scheduling events. What takes her to HERO heights is her thoughtful approach to communication. For example, one resident has a daily phone conversation with her daughter who lives out of state. Before transferring the call to the resident, Bri gives the daughter some glimpses of the resident’s day: things the resident did, discussions that she laughed about, helping the daughter to have a more meaningful talk and bring up good memories of the day.

Bri went to invite Mrs. M. to join an “ArtIs4Every1” class. Mrs. M responded, “I’ve never painted a day in my life and I cannot do it because of my arm”. Bri could have moved on but she didn’t. She and the instructor took the extra time and effort to provide step-by-step instructions, and adjusted a work station to accommodate Mrs. M’s physical limitations. Mrs. M. smiled and agreed to try. Bri sat with her for support. Mrs. M. created a beautiful picture of purple crocuses on a background of green grass. Mrs. M. had a blast and was smiling the whole hour of the class – she was doing something she did not think was possible! When Mrs. M.’s daughters came to visit, the excitement of painting was shared and celebrated by the whole family! Mrs. M. got on phone with another daughter, Nancy, who lives far away. Nancy later said that she could hear excitement and pride in her mother’s voice, and that made her day brighter. It gave her comfort to know that her mother was engaged and challenged.

Bri encourages people to do best they can for themselves. If there a group activity happening and they do not feel like participating, she offers a choice of another thing to do. She helps them choose the clothes they want to wear, a color of bedspread they’d rather have in the room. When Bri is involved, no resident is ever rushed to complete any task. “If it takes all day but they can do it, then it’s worth the time.” she says. No action is taken unless all possible causes and reactions are considered. “Adding another long term medication doesn’t make sense if the problem is temporary”. In any discussion of a resident’s right to refuse, Bri is the first to remind us of our obligation to provide care. These are examples of how she advocates for residents, defends their right to choose, allows them to participate in their care planning and delivery and actively promotes the maintenance of the highest possible levels of independence and self-esteem.

“Imelda, the daughter-in-law of a new resident arrived at the facility calm and composed and asked where to find Bri. When she saw Bri, Imelda rushed to give her a huge hug and burst into tears. “She had such a great appreciation for Bri’s support, it was amazing”, says Jackie, a co-worker who joined the team at Cape Memory Care on the same day Bri did, working side-by-side with her on the evening shift.

Here’s how Bri inspired Ruth, Program Coordinator.
(Sung to the tune of ZZ Top’s Bad to the Bone)

A caregiver, teacher, a co-worker and leader
Her smile, Her touch, Her Kindness, You just have to meet her
She has a caring heart, just put her through the test
I'm here to tell ya honey, that Bri is the Best
Bri is the Best, B-B-B-B- Bri, B-B-B-B-Bri, Bri is the Best

You can searched hi & low to find the ALFA Hero
If you’re not at Cape Memory , you’d come up with Zero
She has a caring heart, just put her through the test
I'm here to tell ya honey, that Bri is the Best
Bri is the Best, B-B-B-B- Bri, B-B-B-B-Bri, Bri is the Best

Staff members feel comfortable asking her “how to” – from changing a colostomy bag to redirecting a resident who is having a difficult moment. Jackie says, “It’s hard to sum it up. Instead of doing things for me, she shows me how to do it. She knows her job and the caregiver’s job well, and it makes it easier for me”.

Along with the professional example she sets in the workplace, Bri is also active in the community. In 2011 she organized and captained our team for the Annual Memory Walk. She says she previously did not know much about Alzheimer’s, but seeing how the disease impacts CMC residents and their families, brought awareness of its devastating effects. She wants others to know what it is, and goes (literally) an extra mile (actually 3.2miles) to raise awareness and money for research and treatment. With her cheerleading, making posters, promoting “casual for cause” days, and recruiting a team, Cape Memory Cruisers raised over $700 to help the local Alzheimer’s association chapter. Bri is already planning improvements and goals for next year’s event.

Now, by being a hero, she is giving us, Cape Memory Care and Woodlands Assisted Living, an opportunity to celebrate a caregiver like her, locally and nationally.

Cape Memory Care Participates in Walk to End Alzheimer's

Cape Memory Care Cruisers

Despite the gloomy weather, the 'Cape Memory Care Cruisers' joined the Portland area Walk to End Alzheimer's on Saturday, September 24th.  The walk is the nation's largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer care, support and research.  Cape Memory Care staff, volunteers and families raised over $800 for this event.

Cape Memory Care - Strawberries Fresh From the Vine!

Resident Pearl Gendron

A group of residents and staff recently enjoyed an outing to Maxwell's farm in Cape Elizabeth to pick strawberries.  The outing was part of the facility's 'Strawberry Fest' celebrating the start of summer.

Like gardening, berry picking is a way for people with Alzheimer's disease to maintain a connection with the world around them.  It is also a tool for eliciting conversation and retrieving memories of an individual's own berry picking or gardening experiences.

Following the outing residents, family members and staff had a Bar-B-Q.  The feature dessert?  Strawberry shortcake of course.

Cape Memory Care Co-Sponsors 2011 Summer Concerts at Mill Creek Park

Cape Memory Care is sponsoring, along with the South Portland Parks and Recreation Department and other local sponsors the 2011 Summer Concerts at Mill Creek Park, a 5-week series of performances held on Wednesdays.  The FREE concerts feature a variety of performers.  Bring the family, a picnic, a blanket or chair and enjoy the show!

Click Here to View/Print Schedule

Tips for Dealing with Anger and Aggression in Those with Dementia

Dementia can sometimes cause changes in a person’s behavior. Such changes are common, but can cause stress on families and caregivers. It can be upsetting when someone who was previously gentle and loving now behaves in an angry or aggressive way.

First and foremost, understand that the person’s behavior is not deliberate nor is it directed at you personally. Since the person with dementia has lost the ability to communicate, acting in an angry or aggressive manner may be the only way to communicate that something is wrong. Experts say that all types of behavior are a form of communication.

Understanding why the person is behaving in an angry or aggressive manner may help the family member or caregiver to cope.

Since dementia causes changes in the brain that affect a person’s memory, mood and behavior, difficult behaviors like anger and aggression may be a result of these changes. Sometimes, however, difficult behaviors can be triggered by medical causes, physical discomfort, environmental factors, or a perceived loss of control.

Physical Discomfort

• Is the person feeling too hot or too cold?

• Could the person’s clothing be too tight?
• Is the person unable to communicate that he or she is in pain?

Medical Causes

• Could the person have a urinary tract infection, respiratory infection or be constipated?

• Could he or she be experiencing side effects from a medication?

Environmental factors

• Is there a lot of commotion around the person?

• Is the T.V. or radio too loud?
• Is there a lot of clutter in the environment?

A resident was experiencing agitation at approximately the same time every afternoon. The staff tried different approaches to try to reduce the resident’s agitation but nothing worked. Finally, an astute staff member noticed that by afternoon, the sun had made its way around the building and was shining in the resident’s eyes at the time when the behavior was occurring. The blinds were closed and the resident’s agitation stopped.

Perceived Loss of Control

All of us desire a sense of control in our lives. If this sense of control is threatened, we may feel out of control and act in ways that we normally would not, including with anger. The person with dementia may frequently perceive a loss of control when:

• Directed to do something

• Hearing the words, “You can’t…”
• Feeling rushed to do something
• Being asked too many questions at once

How to Respond to Anger or Aggression

• Try not to take it personally. Remain calm and don’t respond with anger yourself.

• Try to identify what might have happened to trigger the anger or aggression.
• Simplify the environment. Turn off the radio or television. Remove any potential causes of fear or anxiety.
• Listen to what the person is saying and try to respond to the feeling behind the words rather than the words themselves. Is the person feeling anxious? Afraid? Lonely? Bored?
• Distract the person with an interesting activity.
• Offer physical comfort – a snack or drink, a kind word, a touch or perhaps a hug.
• Engage the person in calming activities such as listening to music or reminiscing about the past or favorite activities.

Cape Memory Care Enters 3rd Annual Remodel/Renovation Competition



Bedroom Before



Cape Memory Care has submitted several entries into Long Term Care Living magazine's '3rd Annual Remodel/Renovation Competition.' The competition, created in 2009, showcases design in the long-term care community.  



A panel of experts appointed by SAGE (The Society for Advancement of Gerontological Environments) will review all submissions and narrow them down to the top 5 in three judging categories:

• Resident Room;
• Dining Room; and



Bedroom After

• Common Space.



Entries submitted by Cape Memory Care showcased the renovation of a corridor, dining room, bedroom and the outdoor courtyard spaces.



The top 5 entries in each category will be posted on http://www.ltlmagazine.com/ during the week of April 18.  Reader voting will begin April 27 and remains open through May 18. The top project in each category, as voted on by readers, will be showcased in the September 2011 issue of Long Term Living's "Remodel/Renovation" supplement, hosted online, and highlighted at the 2012 Environments for Aging Conference.

Don't forget to submit your vote for Cape Memory Care!





Practical Tips for Adult Children of People with Alzheimer's

1. While the person with Alzheimer's still has the capacity to comprehend, designate someone who will have legal authority to make health care and financial decisions for him or her.  In some states, this may be as simple as obtaining a Durable Power of Attorney.  Forms are available on the Alzheimer's Association website as well as from most hospitals.
2. Become informed about the disease and what to expect as the disease progresses.  There is a wealth of free information about the disease on the internet as well as books for sale.  A recommended text is Alzheimer's from the Inside Out by Richard Taylor, PhD.
3. Conduct a family meeting, either in person or by telephone, incluing a frank discussion of finances and caregiving responsibilities.  Become familiar with your parent's insurance coverage and benefits and other options available to him or her.
4. Take advantage of all resources available to you.  This includes the Alzheimer's Association, support groups, friends and neighbors, etc.  Accept help when offered.
5. Remember that each person reacts differently to a their own or a family member's diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.  Some people take longer to accept the diagnosis.  Denial is part of our coping mechanism.
6. Consider using adult day care or respite services to ease the demands of day-to-day caregiving.
7. Research memory care facilities as early as possible so you are prepared when the need arises.