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Dementia is a loss of mental ability caused by damage to

or changes in the brain. These changes can be caused by

strokes, tumors, head injuries, and Alzheimer's disease.

Individuals with dementia experience memory loss, confusion, communication problems, difculty performing familiar tasks, and

changes in behavior and personality. Trough Te GRS Compass Program, Genesis Rehab Services gives you and the care team tools

and resources to better navigate this progressive disease process.

Because the dementia journey occurs at a diferent pace for each individual, we will customize your loved one's care plan to preserve

his or her quality of life and encourage meaningful interactions.

Dementia care: guiding the way for your loved one.

Want to learn more about The GRS Compass Program? We're happy to help. Just ask to speak with a physical therapist, occupational therapist or speech language pathologist on site.

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˜e GRS Compass Program Copyright © 2012 Genesis ElderCare Rehabilitation Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved. A Team Approach to Dementia Care

The GRS Compass Program helps your loved one lead a safe and successful journey through the various stages of dementia. Our four-color identifcation system is based on the Global Deterioration Scale© (GDS), one of the most commonly used diagnostic tools for dementia. Each color represents a diferent stage in the journey through dementia.

Based on a comprehensive evaluation, a member of the Genesis Rehab Services (GRS) team will determine your loved one's starting color, or "true north," and develop a customized care plan based on his or her specifc needs.

GRS physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech language pathologists receive specialized education and training on dementia. As licensed professionals, our clinicians can coach family members and caregivers on how to best interact with and care for their loved one with dementia.

occupational therapy Occupational therapy helps people easy-to-follow steps, and helping your loved maintain their daily routines in order to one participate in meaningful activities. live life to the fullest.

OTs will teach your loved one to use Individuals with dementia may eventually strategies to ensure that his or her need help with bathing, dressing, managing personal needs are met. Tey will also money, cooking, participating in their make recommendations for assistive favorite hobbies, and other activities of devices and adaptive equipment. For daily living. An occupational therapist example, your loved one may need to use (OT) will modify the environment and a daily schedule or to-do list to help with adapt everyday tasks so that your loved memory recall; special eating utensils one can enjoy a sense of independence for if feeding issues develop; a wheelchair as long as possible. Strategies may include when walking becomes difcult; or arranging furniture to create familiarity, Velcro fasteners instead of buttons when breaking down complex tasks in to simple, dressing becomes a challenge.

speech therapy Te ultimate goal of speech therapy is to ensure that your loved one is able to communicate with others and eat and drink safely.

Individuals with dementia will begin to experience cognitive communication impairment, which leads to difculty with speaking, reading, writing and thinking/reasoning. A speech language pathologist (SLP), also known as a speech therapist, will evaluate your loved one’s degree of cognitive-communication impairment. To encourage positive memory recall and facilitate important and meaningful social connections,

physical therapy

SLPs may employ the use of visual cues, including the use of memory books with pictures and brief biographies of friends and family, as well as calendars, note-books, labels, and signs to help prompt your loved one’s memory.

Individuals who are further along in their dementia journey ofen experience difculty swallowing. Treatment sessions for these individuals will focus on safe eating and drinking to reduce the risk of choking or aspiration. SLPs will identify and teach your loved one safe swallowing strategies, or will modify your loved one’s diet if necessary.

Physical therapy promotes safe mobility and improved quality of life through efective pain management.

Individuals with dementia can become confused and disoriented in their environment. Tey may also experience balance issues, putting them at a greater risk for falls. A physical therapist (PT) can help these individuals continue to be active and engaged in their daily routines through physical activity, the use of assistive devices, and/or through environmental modifcation. Creating a safe environment includes minimizing distractions and removing obstacles, such

as turning of a TV, removing rugs that can cause tripping, recommending non-slip surfaces, and installing safety locks on doors and windows.

Physical therapists will work to improve your loved one’s balance and muscle strength to promote safe mobility and reduce the risk of falls due to muscle weakness and cognitive impairment. As part of the dementia care team, physical therapists will also help your loved one with pain management, which can be an underlying cause for behavioral challenges, such as anxiety or agitation, in a person who has dementia.