PATHWAYS Refresh

The Program


The PATHWAYS Refresh Project is about expanding our dementia care program both in content and reach. Since 2015, PATHWAYS has been used in more than 900 long-term care homes and adult day programs across Canada. In response to the demand, Room 217 is refreshing the Pathways program and creating:


  1. An additional 12 episodes. New themes will be drawn from nature, musical genres and home.
  2. A DIY toolkit for caregivers to develop their own Pathways videos addressing cultural diversity and song preferences
  3. A PATHWAYS web application for easier caregiver accessibility.

 

The Need


The World Health Organization recognizes that dementia will reach epidemic proportions globally in this century. One in 11 Canadians over the age of 65 has some form of dementia and numbers are increasing exponentially (Canadian Alzheimer’s Society). Approximately 80% of residents in long term care or nursing homes live with dementia (Ministry of Health and Long Term Care). Additionally, many people living with dementia are cared for by family members at home.


Music is considered by many experts as a natural choice in helping people living with dementia. Dr. Oliver Sacks, famous American neurologist says music is the only modality to help someone living with dementia find their 'preserved self.' Singing is particularly beneficial in dementia care because it is a healthy and meaningful activity.


Short term impacts include increased responsiveness to music, increased socialization and engagement, reduced expressive behaviours such as agitation, apathy, perseveration, repetitive motion. Long term impacts include reduced barriers for music access for all dementia care partners, expanded music care resources and programming for memory care.

 

What Caregiver Say About PATHWAYS


  • Someone you thought couldn’t remember words is singing along
  • Pathways is the whole package
  • They want to do PATHWAYS again and again and that is welcome news for an activity aide
  • The connections have been amazing – between residents themselves and between staff – lots of meaningful moments and connective points
  • If it wasn’t for PATHWAYS, they may never have had the conversations
  • The men get just as involved as the ladies
  • So many great ideas in the activity book
  • Singing together is different from talking together because it involves our imagination and our emotions and what we do with our bodies – tapping our feet, clapping our hands, moving
  • I love that it is ready to go. It’s animated. It’s engaging. It’s moving and not dull
  • The effect is that we feel closer. We enjoy each other’s company