Alzheimer’s from A to Z
RANDOLPH RD.—As someone who has walked the road of professional caregiving for twenty-seven years Micha Shalev is perfectly suited to address a subject he knows well: the harrowing world of memory loss. He has done this, largely, as a speaker and trainer; and now with a new book entitled ”A Practical Guide for Alzheimer’s & Dementia Caregivers.”
Owner and Administrator of Dodge Park Rest Home and The Adult Day Club at Dodge Park, Mr. Shalev is known not only for his innovative approach to geriatric care but for the love he shows towards sufferers and those who tend to their needs: a cast that includes family members, nurses, fellow caregivers and fellow professionals in the long-term care industry.
“This book has been in the making for the past decade,” Mr. Shalev told Inside Worcester. “My goal…was simple: put as much information as I can about how to assist individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and/or other related dementia diseases, make it readable (I hope), stay short on each topic (so as) not to overdo it or confuse the readers and caregivers, and write it for everyone who wants to learn and then put my suggestions into a care plan or action depending on the readers’ situation.
Each of “A Practical Guide’s” forty-three chapters “represents an essential element of person-centered care,or special guideline of what to do if a particular situation arises.”
Chapter 19 (“The Alzheimer’s Disease Patient Bill of Rights”) is typical. Every person diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or other dementia deserves:
1) to be informed of one’s diagnosis; 2) to have appropriate, ongoing medical care; 3) to be treated as an adult, listened to, and afforded respect for one’s feelings and point of 4) to be with individuals who know one’s life story, including cultural and spiritual 5) to experience meaningful engagement throughout the day; 6) to live in a safe and stimulating environment; 7) to be free from psychotropic medications whenever possible; 8) to receive welcomed physical contact, including hugging, caressing and handholding; 9) to be an advocate for oneself and for others; 10) to be part of a local, global, or online community; and 11) to have care partners well-trained in dementia care.
Mr. Shalev spares no effort in tackling every aspect of dementia, from understanding its “common types” and “unique characteristics” to care “at home” or in a long-term setting. There are answers to such questions a caregiver might pose as “my loved one can’t sleep at night…what can I do?” In his Introduction to the book, he writes, “I do hope and pray that (dementia victims’) suffering will bring to light the urgent need for a new direction in dealing with this developing epidemic around the world, an epidemic that has ripped patients’ personalities apart and left families heartbroken. There is a need for urgent collaboration among all the brightest minds around the world to try and come up with therapy, medications and some sort of solution to deal with this unique disease.”
(pictured) which sits on a hill opposite their own facility paints them as the bad guy in some quarters but Mr. Shalev will put the property to good use. “Oasis at Dodge Park,” two residential buildings consisting of a total of eighty-two units on acreage formerly occupied by the Odd Fellows Home, will be specifically dedicated to people afflicted with memory impairment, dementia or Alzheimer’s; offering them, Mr. Shalev says, “a higher level of care” and “better direct-care staffing.” He says, “our building is old and doesn’t have the amenities we need.” Oasis at Dodge Park will meet allof “the new parameters” DPH has set for care of the memory-impaired..
