Presenter: Dorothy Colby, Hale Kū‘ike Director of Community Engagement & Positive Approach to Care® Trainer
Date: 9/10/20
Recording length: 1 hour
Sponsors: Hale Kū‘ike and Catholic Charities Hawai‘i
Description:
- The only constant in dementia is that it is ever changing. How does it progress?
- How can we connect with what abilities remain, and not just focus on the loss?
- How can we adjust our care, support, and expectations throughout our journey of living with dementia?
When we think about dementia, we often first think of all the lost abilities — memory, language, judgement, motor skills, and more. Commonly used dementia progression scales, such as the Global Deterioration Scale, are very good at documenting the losses and rating the person at a level of increasing incompetence. The grading system on these scales are either numeric (1–7, 1–3, etc.) or comparative (mild, moderate, severe, etc.). What these scales do not do, is measure what abilities remain throughout the dementia progression. They do not recognize that people living with dementia can still live a rewarding life all through their journey.
The GEMS brain changes model developed by Teepa Snow is based on the Allen Cognitive Scale. Unlike traditional models, the GEMS focuses on the skills and abilities a person still has, not what they have lost. Instead of looking at people as less, care partners can learn to see what the person living with dementia still has left and is still able to do.
The GEMS model recognizes six brain states, each a unique and precious gem. Our healthy normal aging brains are included in the GEMS model. We are the Sapphires who can be flexible and think things through and support all the other GEMS.
- Sapphires: True Blue — Slower BUT Fine
- Diamonds: Repeats and Routines — Cutting
- Emeralds: Going — Time Travel —Where?
- Ambers: In the moment — Sensations
- Rubies: Stop and Go — No Fine Control
- Pearls: Hidden in a Shell — Immobile
The GEMS model can help us understand about what it means to be living in a world with Sapphire, Diamond, Emerald, Amber, Ruby, or Pearl cognitive and physical abilities. All individuals, whatever their state of being, in the right setting and with the right care, can shine!
To learn more about dementia progression patterns, GEMS™ and the Positive Approach to Care®, you can view our recorded webinar, “GEMS™, More Than Just Loss — Dementia Progression Patterns.” You can also download the workshop slide deck, GEMS printable poster, and PAC Resource Cards.
For more information about PAC, visit www.teepasnow.com.