Service-Learning Project

Krysten Hanley
Spring 2015

Abstract:
The purpose of completing this service learning project was to expand upon the knowledge
gained from the nutrition and aging class. This was done by getting hands on experience with issues
and topics discussed in class during the volunteer hours. These hours were completed at Garden House
in Morro Bay. This agency provides care for elderly patients with Dementia and Alzheimer's. While
volunteering there I helped during meal time as needed, socialized and interacted with the patients.
This assignment allowed Cal Poly's learn by doing motto to come into play and allowed me to utilize
the knowledge I have gained by applying it to real life situations.

I. Aging
Many changes occur during the evolution of aging, some of these changes can be positive such
as retirement which gives freedom to people allowing them to do more with their time, while
others such as arthritis, and loss of hearing are not so favorable. As many people age they
require additional help to perform their ADL'S (activities of daily living) these include walking,
bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also need help with their IADL'S (instrumental
activities of daily living) such as cooking, driving, shopping, and using the television.
Assistance may be needed for elderly with no health issues as well as people who suffer from
certain diseases. Once disease in particular that requires assisted help is Alzheimer's. Since most
people who suffer with Alzheimer's are unable to care for themselves they require a caregiver or
family member to be there to assist them with their ADL'S and IADL's. As the progression of
the disease worsens the need for assistance increases.
II. Alzheimer's
Alzheimer's is a disease that touches the lives of many people and as a result the advancements
made from when the disease was first discovered to present date is remarkable. The disease was
first described in 1906 then in 1968 researchers develop the first validated measurement scale
for assessing cognitive and functional decline in older adults. In 1974 as act of Congress
establishes the National Institute on Aging (NIA), the primary federal agency supporting
Alzheimer's research. In 1976 the disease was identified as the most common cause of dementia
then about twenty years later in 1993 the Food and Drug Administration approved tacrine
(Cognex) as the first drug specifically targeting alzheimer's memory and thinking symptoms. In
2003 the Alzheimer's association partnered with the NIA to launch the National Alzheimer's
Disease Genetics Study. In this study they collected blood samples from families with members
who developed Alzheimer's disease to identify risk genes. More recently on the timeline in 2011
Barack Obama signed the National Alzheimer's Project Act. This established a plan addressing

the Alzheimer's crisis and coordinated research efforts (Staples 2011).

Many people with Alzheimer's never even get the diagnosis. This year the Alzheimer's
organization looked at who gets an actual diagnosis. It's not straightforward there is not a
blood test, for instance. But a trained clinician a doctor, nurse or other expert can diagnose
dementia with a series of pencil-and-paper tests. (Fox 2015) This adds to the confusion that
exists in the general public regarding this disease. When doing a google search on what is
Alzheimer's the definition that is received is Alzheimer's is a progressive mental deterioration
that can occur in middle or old age, due to generalized degeneration of the brain. It is the most
common cause of premature senility. while this is true it may confuse the general public. This
definition may make some believe that Alzheimer's is a natural part of aging. Alzheimer's is a
fatal, progressive disease impacting at least 44 million people worldwide yet it is widely
misunderstood. According to an Alzheimer's Association 12-country survey, 59 percent of
people surveyed incorrectly believe that Alzheimer's disease is a typical part of aging and 40
percent of people believe that Alzheimer's is not fatal. (Nearly 60% Of People Worldwide
Incorrectly Believe That Alzheimer's Disease Is A Typical Part Of Aging. 2014). While the
advancements made since the first description of Alzheimer's in 1906 there are still areas which
could be improved upon specifically Alzheimer's education.
III. Garden House
Garden House is a place where people who suffer from Dementia and Alzheimer's can go in
order to receive some extra care. Placement in an assisted living home (board and care or
residential care facility) is sometimes the best choice, particularly when the physical care of the
person is beyond the ability of the caregiver due to health limitations or physical and/or
emotional exhaustion. Many people thrive after placement. A good diet, socialization, and
special care can improve their quality of life (www.gardenhousecare.org). By choosing to stay

at this facility these people are able to get an added level of care that may be needed if they are
unable to take care of themselves properly and family members or other care takers are not
available full time.
Each resident at garden house has a private bedroom that is furnished, a shared bathroom, a
reclining chair in the living room, and an outdoor patio, handicapped access is available to all
of these things. The facility is equipped with security alarms and outer door alarms that alerts
the employees if the resident leaves their room at any point during the night. There is always an
employee working in order to ensure the safety and care of the residents.
Some services offered by garden house are 24 hour care and supervision, prepared meals and
snacks, assistance with personal care needs such as showering, dressing and grooming, laundry,
weekly manicures, and hair cuts. Some extra things that garden house does is music, art, and
craft therapy programs, social activities, and physical activities to stimulate the body as well as
the mind. These additions can greatly improve the quality of life for the residents while also
working on stopping the progression of their disease.
One therapy that is offered at garden house is mneme therapy, a therapy that uses everyday
pleasures such as singing, movement, painting and story telling in a unique combination to
stimulate dramatic changes in the brain (artwithoutboundaries.net). Mneme therapy has been
seen to improve verbal skills, mobility and muscle issues, combativeness, visual and spacial
acuity, understanding language, memory, and connecting socially with others. This may
stimulate neuroplasticity, or he ability to move functions and create new neural pathways which
helps combat the negative effects of Alzheimer's (www.artwithoutboundaries.net). The patients
at garden house do painting for their mneme therapy and their artwork is displayed around the
house. When asked about the paintings they are quite proud of their work and it is easy to see
the confidence boost they get from it.

IV. My Experience
During my volunteer hours at Garden House I was able to experience a variety of things. I had
never been around people who suffer from Dementia or Alzheimer's before so I was slightly
uncomfortable at first. It all seemed so far off from my life and I felt like I did not know what to
say to the residents. After about an hour in on my first day I started to feel more comfortable
and was able to talk with the residents.
A married couple Oscar and Ilene told me about how they met. I learned very quickly that
Oscar was always worrying about Ilene and was really very bossy. He came up to me and said
I am not sitting at the other table, I need to sit with my wife so pull me up a chair not wanting
to make him angry I did as he asked. I then went in the kitchen to tell Dawn an employee of
Garden House what I had just done. She informed me that Oscar must be kept away from Ilene
because he eats her food when they sit next to each other so I had to go tell Oscar that he
needed to return to his original seat. I thought it was very endearing that even at his old age he
still tried to pull a fast one over me. This shows that you can still be very cognitive and mentally
sharp despite having Alzheimer's or Dementia.
However unfortunately they are not all on the same spectrum when it comes to their disease.
Diana the oldest resident there who is over 100 years old must follow a dysphagia diet and be
spoon fed since she has trouble swallowing. My second shift there I spoon fed her lunch which
consisted of apple sauce, mashed sweet potato and juice. Diana is unable to speak but would
look at me and give me a sweet smile as I fed her. Another resident John sat down and did a
puzzle with me and in the hour that it took us to complete this puzzle he must have asked me
my major twenty times. I would reply every time and get the same response oh that will be
sure to keep you busy. John did this every time I volunteered and this allowed me to see the
affects of Alzheimer's first hand. During meal times I set up the tables and place mats which
were done the same way everyday in order to try and help the residents feel a sense of

consistency, however many of them did not know where they are supposed to sit even though
they sit in the same place every day.
Overall the residents do not do a whole lot, they sit in a room with many chairs lined up facing
the television. Each resident has their specific chair which they seem to gravitate toward
without any questions. They enjoy some television programs and music stations. In addition to
this they do ball activities which I played with them. The activities consist of throwing the big
bouncy ball to each other in order to get some physical activity and stretch their arms out, they
also would throw the ball to me as hard as they could, I was really surprised at how strong some
of them were Oscar in particular.
While I was unable to partake in these activities since they were not being done during my
volunteer hours the residents also enjoy patio time in the sun if the weather is permitting. The
women of the house get manicures once a week and they do various art projects with the
employees. Other holiday related activities are also planned such as a valentines day baking
activity and tea party.
During my time at garden house I was able to gain an understanding of how they manage their
nutrition-related things. They plan out their meals weekly and offer a variety of foods, they also
eat at the same time every day. In addition to this they also measure out how much water is
given and consumed by each person. At every meal they are given one cup of water and one cup
of juice. Some of the patients require extra help and their food is cut for them. Diana and
another woman are fed since they are unable to feed themselves. It worked out that the men do
not need any assistance so they are at a table by themselves in the dining room and the women
are in a room off the kitchen together. This also helps separate Ilene and Oscar so that Oscar
wont eat Ilene's food.

References
1. Fox. (2015, March 24). Many With Alzheimer's Never Get the Diagnosis: Report. Retrieved
May 31, 2015, from http://www.nbcnews.com/health/aging/many-alzheimers-never-getdiagnosis-report-n329121
2. Staples. (2011, November 27). A timeline of the Alzheimer's disease. Retrieved May 31, 2015,
from http://www.myajc.com/news/lifestyles/health/a-timeline-of-the-alzheimersdisease/nQN3K/
3. Nearly 60% Of People Worldwide Incorrectly Believe That Alzheimer's Disease Is A Typical
Part Of Aging. (2014, June 19). Retrieved May 31, 2015, from
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nearly-60-of-people-worldwide-incorrectly-believethat-alzheimers-disease-is-a-typical-part-of-aging-263756561.html
4. N.A. (2012), Testimonies retrieved May 28th 2015 from
http://artwithoutboundaries.net/Testimonies.html.
5. N.A. , overview retireved May 28th 2015 from http://gardenhousecare.org/