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Award Winner 2002 MindAlert Awards Early Stage Alzheimer's Disease Support Groups
In 1986, Robyn Yale, a clinical social worker and consultant to the Alzheimer's Association and other organizations, developed an innovative support group model for individuals in the early stages of Alzheimer's (AD) and their families. In 1991, she did pilot research at UC-San Francisco (funded by the national Alzheimer's Association), which documented the feasibility and benefits of this intervention. Since then, she has published extensively and trained many professionals who have replicated her model across the US and other countries. She is credited with being among the first to identify the overlooked and underserved mental health needs of the person with early AD, develop a model targeting these needs, raise public and professional awareness, and advocate for expansion of services to this population.
Ms. Yale's was one of the first early stage support group models, and has been the most widely replicated nationally and internationally. At the time (1986) and until very recently, virtually all AD literature and support services were for caregivers, and geared toward the middle-to-later stages of the illness. The stereotype was that people with AD couldn't understand or react to their condition, and thus they were rarely told that they had AD. Amidst initial skepticism and resistance within the field, Ms. Yale disseminated her research and clinical findings that many with early AD are willing and able to share their feelings, concerns and experiences when given the opportunity; and that support groups can help them accept and cope with the illness rather than remain isolated and dehumanized. The groups provide education and support, and encourage people with the disease to go on living full and meaningful lives for as long as possible.
Over the years, other professionals began to have similar experiences implementing and expanding upon the model, and in many regions these groups now constitute a "new starting point" on the continuum of dementia care. With the current capacity for earlier diagnosis of AD, and the fact that many people remain in the early stages longer due to new medications, this program development is more vital than ever.
Ms.Yale conceptualized the distinctiveness of the early stages of AD for individuals with the disease and their families; created an innovative program model; refined it through research; and used her publications and training events to inspire and influence many professionals to create early stage support groups around the world which never existed before. Her materials made the program easy to replicate, and it has proliferated in such settings as Alzheimer's Association chapters, diagnostic clinics, senior centers, and assisted living facilities. Many say that her work facilitated a movement that has changed the face of the AD field, and given voice to the person with the disease.
The Mind Works Mental Fitness Program
Mental fitness is brain conditioning, brought about by mental exercise, just as physical fitness is body conditioning through physical exercise. Various thinking skills characterize mental fitness, including awareness, communication abilities, curiosity or inquisitiveness, and the willingness to accept mental challenges.
Mental fitness must be accorded its true significance to become the imperative for a population that includes a growing percentage of elderly. The trend toward early retirement, together with increasing longevity, raises the possibility of an extended period during which the need for rigorous thinking is diminished; the solving of everyday problems involving jobs and families is no longer required. However, mental exercise must be ongoing or the abilities necessary to perform such exercises may be lost. An individual who has lost these abilities required for competent decisions may, as a result, also lose control of his own life. For this reason, mental fitness is essential for older adults who wish to retain their independence.
Mind Works promotes mental fitness by providing regular sessions of stimulating mental exercise. Participants experience many mental challenges and become more mentally adept, much as those who strive for physical fitness attain higher goals. Members of the Mind Works program indicate that they have more self-confidence and self-esteem as they master the challenges of mental exercise. They have also discovered that their memories have improved and that they are more aware of their surroundings.
The Mind Works approach emphasizes mental activities that are not only interesting, diverse and relevant, but also fun. Participant interaction and the exchange of ideas enliven every Mind Works session. Although members of the Mind Works program may not be particularly proficient physically, they are always ready for the most vigorous "mind workout."
Mind Works was started in 1986 by scientist-turned-educator, Connie Lynch, Ph.D. Since that time, Mind Works classes consisting of 10-20 older adults of all cultural and racial backgrounds have been meeting at various senior centers around the San Francisco Bay Area, to engage in weekly mental aerobics. In 2000, Dr. Lynch wrote the book, Don't Lose Your Mind, for elders who are unable to attend classes, yet still wish to stay mentally active. The Mind Works program has reached and helped hundreds of older adults and, using Dr. Lynch's curriculum, could easily be adapted for senior centers everywhere. Dr. Lynch and her Mind Works program have been featured on countless television and radio shows for ABC, NBC and Fox, and have been the subject of many newspaper articles around the country.
Generations on Line
Generations on Line (GoL) has simplified the Internet for elders. Established in July, 1999 GoL has created, tested and developed a nonprofit educational software program that provides on-screen, step-by step instruction to help people over 65 use the Internet. This unique, self-teaching software program helps older adults overcome the barriers of access, skill and intimidation that prevent them from learning to use and enjoy the Internet.
In order to reach the greatest number of seniors at the least expense, GoL makes this program and its adjunct materials free to elders through places where they live and congregate, such as nursing homes, HUD subsidized housing, retirement communities, senior centers and public libraries. These sites receive a subscription to the web-based software, a kit of turnkey start-up materials, and ongoing telephone technical support with an initial cost-covering fee of $250.
Tested for 12 months in multiple settings, this program was launched nationally in September 2000, and today has been adapted by more than 275 nursing homes, senior centers, retirement communities, libraries and subsidized housing throughout 29 states.
The impact and power of this program in reducing the barriers to learning has been profound. From an Alzheimer's center in Dallas to a senior center on Staten Island, a retirement apartment in Wilmington and all 27 public libraries in Boston, this has progressed from a dream to a nationwide program in 27 months. More than 2,000 men and women in their 70's and 80's who had no idea what a mouse was or the value of the Internet now regularly use the Internet to search in 25 languages, e-mail family, or share their memories with school children.
The GoL service helps elders learn to use the Internet, providing individuals with a fully functional, no-cost Internet experience that is in plain English, with on-screen directions and tools, and free of advertising, providing a solution to the isolation, boredom and helplessness that many of our elders face on a daily basis. And, it opens of a world of mobility, stimulation, and independence.
GoL founder and CEO, Tobey (Ann) Gordon Dichter, is the former vice president of communications and public affairs and executive committee member at SmithKline Beecham Healthcare Services, a worldwide healthcare company. Ms. Dichter began a personal study of gerontology in 1996, and by 1999 recognized that the Internet was both a potential opportunity for multigenerational communication and a threat because computer illiteracy could further marginalize elders from an Internet-based society. She contributed funding, and organization was incorporated as a nonprofit. Since then, Generations on Line has enhanced the mental acuity and the self-esteem of our oldest and wisest generations.
A demonstration of the program is available at www.generationsonline.org/apply.
Lasell Village at Lasell College Lasell Village at Lasell College opened in May, 2001 as a first of its kind "living and learning" Continuous Care Retirement Community located on the Lasell College campus in Auburndale, Massachusetts.
The focus on "living and learning" is the defining characteristic of Lasell Village, and one that makes it unique among retirement communities. Village residents are required to plan and satisfy a continued learning program as a condition of residency. Residents complete a minimum of 450 hours of learning activity each calendar year, or approximately 1¼ hours per day, to the extent they are physically and intellectually able.
Along with its 162 independent living apartments and 44-bed skilled nursing facility, a special feature of each of the fourteen Village buildings is the inclusion of a classroom, fitness facility or studio devoted to the integration of intellectual growth, creative development, and physical wellness. In addition, the Village hosts the Elderhostel-affiliated Lasell College Institute for Learning in Retirement, established in 1998, and the new Lasell College Center for Research on Aging and Intergenerational Studies.
Lasell Village at Lasell College is among a growing number of college-affiliated retirement communities in the country, but it is the first to feature a formal, individualized, required continuing education program for its residents. It is also the first to appoint a full-time Academic Dean to oversee the unique "living and learning" program.
Consistent with the objectives of the MindAlert Award, the Lasell Village educational program is designed to promote lifelong learning and support cognitive and physical fitness in later life. It is also designed to foster strong intergenerational ties to the College faculty and students as well as educational ties to the local and national community.
Awards Review Committee ASA expresses
our gratitude to the review committee for their work in reviewing
award submissons: Beatrice Seagull, Professor Emeritus, Rutgers University;
Nancy Emerson Lombardo, Center for Research
on Women, Wellesley College, Wellesley, MA; Marge Engelman, University
of Wisconsin, Madison; Barbara Ginsberg, My Turn Program, Kingsborough
Community College, Brooklyn, NY; Judy Goggin, Civic Ventures, Jamaica Plain,
MA; Paul Nussbaum, Neurobehavioral Services, Aging Research and Education
Center, Mars, PA
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