The Best Friends™ approach to Alzheimer's Care is an internationally acclaimed model of care for persons with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia.
Life affirming and hopeful, the Best Friends™ model offers new ways to build a culture of excellence in dementia care. Because of the nature of Alzheimer's disease, the person with significant memory loss may forget a name or the exact nature of familiar relationships. Our staff partner with family members and friends to apply care giving techniques and skills that create an atmosphere of genuine friendship and support.
We empathize and understand the experiences of Alzheimer's disease
This means taking the thoughtful time to understand the myriad of changes and challenges the individual with memory loss is experiencing, including personality changes and/or strange or unsettling behaviors that are often the result of the individual trying to make sense of and cope with his or her world.
We look for what the person can still do, rather than focus only on the losses that he or she has experienced.
We understand that a person with significantly reduced memory needs extensive help with activities of daily living, including:
We are "person-centered"
We focus on the individual in our approach to caring for someone with significant memory loss. This means that while memory difficulties continue to worsen, we will continue to respect the needs and personal preferences of each individual in our care- putting the person before the task.
We know the person's life story
Our staff uses biographical information very well in order to make vital connections with the person and his or her environment. We understand that behaviors that seem strange or unreasonable can be turned into more positive encounters with compassionate reassurance, a hug, or a compliment based on good information and a keen understanding about each individual in our care.
We follow the Best Friends™ Way
Our staff recognizes that persons with dementia for the most part, live in the present moment. Past experiences may be forgotten, and the future may be too difficult to envision. We focus on moments of success throughout the day. Through both structured programming and spontaneous events, Best Friends™ activities bring attention to the arts, music, humor, old skills, old sayings, sensory and physical exercises, conversation, and more. We are also prepared to adjust activities to stages of the disease.
We apply the qualities and lessons of friendship.
Staff members understand that evoking the elements of friendship can have a positive impact on providing excellence in dementia care. When names and familiar faces are forgotten, our staff members create a sense of community and a friendly milieu that gives the person with cognitive loss increased feelings of comfort, a sense of belonging and security.
(Knowledge, Nurturing, Approach, Community & Kinship)
"KNACK" is a Best Friends™, educational workshop that provides knowledge and insight from a person-centered approach, as well as practical "hands-on" tools. It is designed for family members, friends and care providers - in addition to anyone who wishes to know more about the profound changes in personal relationships that are part of memory care.
Through interactive learning, participants will gain new information, skills, and strategies to create more meaningful relationships in the love and care we give to persons with dementia.
Knowledge
A deeper understanding of the physiology of Alzheimer's disease and other causes of dementia. Appreciating the unique experience of each person's memory care journey.
Nurture & Approach
How, through each person's life story, relationships can be "recast," and better "person-centered" care can be uniquely designed. How new tools for communication can build a stronger foundation for meaningful interactions and relationships.
Community & Kinship
Designing memory care activities for every aspect and stage of a persons life, and how new approaches contribute to a new sense of community. How "recast" relationships can make visits with a loved one more meaningful and productive.
For more information about scheduling workshops for your team or organization, contact the HCK Memory Care Center of Excellence, Heritage Community of Kalamazoo at (269) 343-1164 or (800) 210-9490.