When speech and memory therapy is done in a way that focuses on who the patient is – their own unique interests, hobbies, personality traits, lifestyle, and activities – amazing things can happen. Such is the case with George and David, two men in their seventies who came to CCLLC for memory therapy.
George, a former physician, practiced family medicine for 55 years before retiring in Monterey with his wife, Jeanne. After experiencing some cognition problems related to "normal pressure hydrocephalus" his neurologist referred him to CCLLC.
David, a man with an extensive career in broadcasting, moved to Monterey in the 1980s for work. He has since retired on the Central Coast and volunteers with several programs in the area. After his mom died from Alzheimer's, David discovered he has some genetic markers for the disease. "I had also been noticing that I was becoming a bit forgetful," he said. "I wanted to be proactive in doing whatever I could to help myself. Jenn works with me on memory and gives me a toolbox so I can remember things."
After seeing these men for their separate sessions, Jenn quickly discovered their mutual love and deep knowledge of music. "I started focusing both of their memory sessions on music, which made the exercises enjoyable and accessible for them," said Jennifer D'Attilio, director of speech therapy at CCLLC. "Therapy is best done in a functional manner. We want to make it effortless for a person to apply the work we do in a session to their everyday life. With George and David, music was the avenue to accomplish that."
So instead of having the men work on remembering lists of benign things like vegetables or countries, Jenn gave them exercises such as naming a music group for every letter of the alphabet – A for Abba, B for Beatles, and so on. "Jenn has really used music to strengthen George's recall," said his wife, Jeanne.
As Jenn continued learning more about both George and David and their love of music, she soon orchestrated a meeting between the two patients, which has evolved into a brief chat every Tuesday in the waiting room, in between their back-to-back sessions. The two men discuss music, words they are trying to remember, and always share a handshake or a hug.
"It's been a really wonderful experience for all of us," said David. "For me it's great to have this kind of relationship with somebody where I am brightening 10 minutes of his day as he is brightening mine."
In discussing their respective memory tasks that involved different bands and artists, the men discovered they had even more in common. Both have seen an extensive list of bands in concert, and both particularly enjoy the music of James Taylor. They've shared different music with each other, made CDs for one another with some of their favorite songs, and had many conversations and shared stories about the concerts they've attended.
"These are two very bright gentlemen who have both been working on memory exercises and also enjoy discussing music," said Jenn. "There is such an opportunity in therapy to create exercises and sessions that bring out someone's personality, their energy and their engagement with the exercises, and I've seen that happen with George and David."
George's wife Jeanne has seen it happen too. "To me, a big measure of whether therapy is effective is how the therapist makes you feel and what tools they give you."
Using that measuring stick, therapy has certainly been effective for George. "I feel good after I see Jenn, I am never left with the feeling that I don't know what's going on," explained George. "I look forward to my sessions because Jenn is encouraging, positive and has a good sense of humor."
And in terms of practical tools, George says that now when he forgets something, he uses storytelling to help himself remember. And so does Jeanne. "Jenn taught me to use stories to help George remember instead of asking him questions, which can make things more difficult for him," she said.
"I am really lucky that something this important can be done with a sense of humor," said George."
"I second that," Jeanne said. "We have had two really good therapists through CCLLC, both have sensed George's rich personality. It's so nice to share the man I know with these two caring professionals."
Final note: At CCLLC, we want everyone who we see to feel valued and known, beyond the reason or diagnosis that brought them to our offices. We tailor therapy toward the person, not just the "problem." We aim to make therapy functional and interesting. We're grateful this has been the case for George and David, and it is our goal for every person who walks through our doors or signs on to a virtual appointment.