Marama - A Unique Residential Memory Care Facility
The Alzheimer’s Hub of Hope has four sections: Heroes, Highlights, Headlines and Helpers/Caregivers. This post is aligned to the Helper/Caregiver section.
In my December 10th post, I discussed Dr. Heather Sandison’s Reversing Alzheimer's book, research, clinic (Solcere) and residential memory care facility (Marama) at a high level. You can read that post here.
This post will focus on Marama in detail. The facility’s uniqueness is clearly evident from its mission and impact statement below.
Aims to restore memory and integrate seniors back into society.
Proud of slowing down dementia progression for most patients.
Offers hope and assistance based on successful outcomes.
This is the only facility that I’ve encountered with the goal of restoring memory and graduating residents back into society (within a six to twelve months). While Marama doesn’t always reach its goal it takes draconian steps to improve its residents’ cognition. I pull much of this post from Marama’s website which can be accessed here. A 45 minute video describing the “immersive approach” used at the Marama facility is immediately below.
Marama incorporates protocols pioneered by Dr. Dale Bredesen in addition to other supplemental techniques. Dr. Bredesen’s holistic dementia treatment protocol includes nutrition, exercise, sleep optimization, stress management, cognitive stimulation, detoxification, and targeted supplementation. I posted about Dr. Bredesen and his functional health approach for combating AD here.
Marama’s Pillars are:
Creating a safe environment including toxin-free surroundings, rigorous testing for mold, implementation of high-quality air filters, use of non-toxic cleaning products and using organic materials. Per Dr. Bredesen, toxins may contribute to developing AD. This 91 minute video describes this pillar in detail.
Implementing an organic keto-flex, gluten-free diet (high-fat, high plant, low-carbohydrate), organic tea, and weekly weight tracking. This 61 minute video describes this pillar in detail. Note, AD is often called type 3 diabetes and the brain of AD suffers often cannot use carbs as a fuel source. You can read more about that in this post.
Engaging in brain-healing activities such as dual task exercise, infrared light therapy, LiveO2 contrast oxygen therapy, sauna, music therapy, yoga classes, nature walks and stimulating brain games. This 90 minute video describes this pillar in detail. I posted about dual task exercise here and infrared therapy here.
Providing exceptional caregiving. All staff are required to complete training with Dr. Sandison and Teepa Snow, creator of Positive Approach to Care. I posted about Teepa’s approach here. This 90 minute video describes this pillar in detail.
Marama’s dementia care services are specially designed to help those with memory loss. They offer a unique program that focuses on physical health, emotional well-being, memory improvement therapies, and a special keto diet.
This dietary approach is believed to support brain health by promoting the production of ketones, which serve as an alternative energy source for brain cells, potentially mitigating the effects of dementia.
Unlike the residential care facilities I’m familiar with where residents sit around watching TV, staring into space or participating in periodic group activities to pass the time, Marama provides a packed individualized daily schedule with the goal of improving the cognition of its residents. This schedule may include brain stimulating activities, exercise routines, guided meditation, yoga and sauna therapy.
Here’s a sample schedule of a typical day.
8:00- Breakfast
8:30- Gratitude Journaling
9:00- Walking Club
9:30- Yoga w/ Susan
10:00- Snack
11:00- Brain Games + Puzzles
12:00- Lunch
1:00- Garden Time
3:00- Therapy Circuit in Casita
5:00- Dinner
5:30- Game
6:30- Tea + Movie
Other daily schedules are linked here.
Perhaps the most unique aspect of Marama is their Brain Gym where residents use high tech devices to improve cognition. These devices are fascinating so I described them below.
LiveO2 therapy combines oxygenation with exercise to boost brain health. By enhancing oxygen delivery to the brain, it supports cognitive function and can help mitigate the effects of Alzheimer’s disease.
The BioMat uses far-infrared rays and negative ion technology to provide deep, soothing heat. This therapy helps reduce stress, alleviate pain, and improve circulation, contributing to better mental clarity and overall well-being.
Infrared sauna therapy penetrates deep into tissues, promoting detoxification and reducing inflammation. This treatment helps improve circulation and cognitive function, offering relief from some symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
Joovv light therapy uses red and near-infrared light to support cellular health and energy production. This non-invasive treatment can enhance brain function, improve mood, and potentially slow cognitive decline.
VieLight therapy uses low-level light therapy (LLLT) to stimulate brain cells and enhance cognitive function. This cutting-edge treatment aims to improve memory, focus, and overall brain health in Alzheimer’s patients.
Marama provides other interesting activities that may improve cognition such as journaling, problem solving activities, cognitive enhancing worksheets, herbalism, confidence building exercises and gardening.
Marama residents engage in Brain HQ games, a cognitive training tool to help cognition and improve processing speed. I posted aboutBrain HQ here. Future NFL Hall-of-Fame quarterback Tom Brady used BrainHQ to improve his processing speed so he could quickly assess the defense and make better (quicker) in game decisions.
The residents’ cognitive abilities are tested every three months using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment tool and other approaches. This allows the staff to gage whether the sufferer is improving or not. I doubt this is done at other residential memory care facilities since the conventional medicine belief is that AD sufferers can not improve.
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