Sensory stimulation program reaches Parkside residents
Genesis Club helps memory, verbal skills
of residents suffering from stroke, Alzheimer's
By JENNIFER WILSON
News editor
The car steering wheel wasn't attached to a vehicle, but as Parkside Homes resident Tina Dick grasped the sides of the leather circle, she was headed for a drive down memory lane.
"Do you remember driving a car? Where are you going?" asked Peggy Brandt, activities director at Parkside.
Tina thought about it a minute, then responded with a smile, "Seattle."
At that moment, Tina connected with her past. She isn't able to drive a car now, but grabbing a steering wheel completed a mental connection with something she once experienced.
On this Friday morning, Tina and a group of approximately ten other Parkside residents were taking part in the Genesis Club.
Genesis Club is a group run by Brandt, and it uses sensory stimulation to reach men and women who normally have a hard time interacting with others. They include individuals who've suffered a stroke or have Alzheimer's disease.
In the year and a half that Brandt has been conducting the Genesis Club, she's seen positive results. One woman, she said, barely spoke one word to the staff before the program was implemented.
Now, she regularly says "Good morning" when the staff come in to greet her each morning.
Genesis Club uses every means possible — hearing, touch, speech, taste — to reach its participants.
"You have to break through that barrier," Brandt said.
Genesis usually meets three times a week for 15 to 20 minutes. At the beginning of a typical session, Brandt talks to each individual. She has them say their name and "good morning."
But it's more than just words — it's about getting eye contact and verbal expression from the person, Brandt said.
After talking to each person, Brandt brings out items designed to mentally stimulate them. To lead a discussion on driving, Brandt might use a cotton ball soaked in gasoline, to use the smell to stimulate their memories.
During harvest time, Brandt will bring in a pan of grain, and the residents will run their fingers through it, bringing back memories of the farm.
Reminiscing of the past is important to the residents, Brandt said.
"That's what they hold on to now," she said.
The Thursday hymn-sing has also proved to be a good memory trigger for many of the residents. Most of the residents who attend will sing along, Brandt said.
Keeping ideas fresh for the club has been a 24/7 job for Brandt, she said. Some days are harder than others, but the rewards are great.
"One person can make your day," she said.
The goals of the Genesis Club shouldn't just be confined to the 15-minute sessions, though — the Parkside staff works to integrate them in all daily activities.
It's important to truly listen to the residents, Brandt said, even if they have trouble communicating or the words don't come out very fast.
"You don't want them feeling like they're looked down on," Brandt said.
"Just because they can't speak doesn't mean you shouldn't have conversations with them
