Today on the Genius of Aging, Dr. Thomas' guests are from Hale Kuike, a residence in Nuuanu specializing in Alzheimer's and memory care. They've brought an important part of their care team with them, a working therapy dog, a "labradoodle" named Vita.

DAVID FITZGERALD, Administrator
DOROTHY COLBY, Chef, Business Manager

DR THOMAS: I just want to tell you it is not true, the rumor that is going around that The Genius of Aging is going to the dogs, it's just not true. But I do want to welcome David Fitzgerald and Dorothy Colby, and Vita, who have come to us today from Hale Kuike. And it's a really special place where people who have trouble with their memory can find a life worth living. And actually, I wanted to sit down with you today to kind of talk about what you've learned about dementia and people living with dementia, from your work and what you might be able to share with the people in the state of Hawaii.

DAVID: Sure, and thank you for having us. The main point is that there is hope. That people who develop Alzheimer's or dementia, they retain their essence, they retain their personality.

DR. THOMAS: Yeah, I find as a doctor, sometimes people kind of equate the person with the memory. And, that's not really true, is it?

DAVID: Right, not at all. And the important thing to know is that the short-term memory may be lost, but the long-term memory, going back to their earlier years is still there and we can tap into that.

DR. THOMAS: Right. So tell me what you think is important about the environment. For a person who's living with some memory loss or Alzheimer's, what's important about the environment for a person like that?

DOROTHY: I think we try and create an environment where they can be themselves, no matter where they are in their lives or in their personal time line, whether they think they're much younger or anything, we try and move with them through that journey, and make it as joyful and as smooth as possible.

DR. THOMAS: Yeah, I mean when I was in training, I was taught as a doctor that somebody with dementia starts talking about something that's really not true, like you know talking about their husband who's passed away, you were supposed to correct them. And nowadays, gone, right! No more. So you roll with it, you're with people where they are. And you know what I found is that a lot of people have…a lot of the caregivers really benefit from the experience of "being" with people. So, what kind of things do you think Vita brings to the environment? What's her role?

DAVID: Well, Vita's a loving, loving addition to our staff. And she brings joy to the residents…

DOROTHY: Yeah, she basically provides unconditional love for everyone…

DR. THOMAS: Yeah, I've got to get my prescription pad and "Unconditional love, apply as needed."

DOROTHY: And she gives them a purpose for caring for another living creature. They walk her, they brush her. Yep.

DR. THOMAS: She's everybody's friend.

DOROTHY: Yes

DR. THOMAS: Now, one thing I really emphasize is Vita is kind of specially trained, just like staff. She's got special training, special kind of personality, and that's what makes her so good. She's well-prepared for the work that she does. You know it's really tough for family caregivers out there, a lot of times they're facing difficult situations without the kind of training that you have. Any kind of advice you'd offer to people who are caring for somebody with Alzheimer's at home, kind of wrapping up.

DAVID: Sure, I'd say that the first thing is to take care of themselves as caregivers. We have to take care of ourselves. Our residents will mirror what's going on in us, so if we're having a bad mood, that's going to translate to them, as in any relationship. So I feel that that's one of the keys.

DR. THOMAS: Well, that's great. Hale Kuike, you guys are making a great place for elders and people with dementia. Thanks so much.

Hale Kuike
www.halekuike.com
(808) 595-6770

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