In 1972, Lynn Serper was a teacher who developed strategies to help learning-disabled children learn.
Fascinated with the brain, I entered a doctoral program in education. While completing the last chapter of my doctoral dissertation, I was struck by a ruptured brain aneurysm. Surgery repaired the artery, but I was affected by aphasia with damage to speech, reading, writing, and memory. This life-changing event happened in 1990 and my neurological team, considering the brain damage recommended long-term care placement.
However, I was fortunate to have true advocates in my life. With their resourcefulness and support, I spent the next 5 years living at home with the help of a "village" of therapists, family, and friends and avoided long-term care. My network of caregivers reached out to me with talent, love, guidance, and encouragement-even when I wanted to give up.
After 5 years of relearning most of my lost skills, I completed and defended my doctoral studies. During the years of my recovery, I used materials I developed for learning-disabled children to help me refresh and stimulate my thinking and memories, I surprised myself with steady improvement.
As I improved, families called me about helping a spouse parent or friend diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, etc. I found that materials I developed and used myself could be used in successful and delightful ways, so I named my program The Serper Method. Those who participate find they can express themselves and be respected for their thoughts, ideas and opinions despite their ability or level of function.1
WHAT IS THE SERPER METHOD AND HOW DOES IT WORK?
Set in workbook form, The Serper Method is constructed within a flexible formula. Designed to revive old memories, it provides an around-the-table platform for social engagement, cooperative curiosity, a little play, a little laughter, and feelings of individual or group success-attending to all levels of function.
1. Cognitive stimulation comprised short inspirational stories, historical and current events, and geography. Not only is the material about familiar events and people, but it is also accompanied by related pictures, short film clips, music, and interactive brain exercises. In the process, people who take part are encouraged to offer thoughts, ideas, and opinion. Individual interests and cognitive abilities are considered for every activity. When a history exercise referred to World War II, one man described his arrival in Normandy on D-Day, while his wife invented a code so each letter would identify his location. I'm always delighted to interact with individuals' descriptions of awareness, knowledge, and understanding. Memories to today evoke memories of the past and vice versa. And, it is best when there is someone else to listen and share.
2. Social engagement has been noted as beneficial for brain and emotional health. It is about sharing ideas on topics, stories, and memories. Even if people have difficulty speaking, they can, in fact, participate if they can show facial or hand expressions or can point to a yes-no card. In fact, for many participants who were previously silent or showed little curiosity, engagement with the information interactions and activities of The Serper Method has ensured mental stimulation and social interaction for those who have forgotten how to initiate or participate with others.
3. Emotional reassurance is significantly positive for older adults' health, especially for those who are cognitively impaired. Whether a person is living in his/her home or living in an eldercare residence, each person experiencing decline wants to feel accepted, connected, and successful. Through The Serper Method, I find that engaging individuals about each one's interest and each one's ability can create curiosity and opportunities to use the skills they still have. The Serper Method offers flexibility throughout the program so that people can be recognized and valued as able individuals. Working together, residents and care-people find a way to think together enjoy each other and feel successful.1
The compassion and love family, friends, and therapists shared with Lynn Seper have been returned 10-fold for all those who need it the most. Most readers know someone who has been a caretaker for a friend or family member and also their loved one. We know the fear and dread inherent upon hearing the diagnosis of dementia. Dementia is, I think, a pejorative word now with many negative connotations. The stigma attached to it worsens an already difficult situation. We work to dispel this stigma but may at times find ourselves being pulled down by it. However, fortified by compassionate understanding and wisdom, we know that those who live with cognitive decline have not lost their personhood.
The anonymous author of The Cloud of Unknowing described the faculties of the soul as "the three major ones of mind, which includes memory, reason, and will, and two minor ones, imagination and the senses (sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste)."2 These are the fleeting intangibles of human existence upon which we rely. The faculties of the soul are the core of personhood.
That they are honored in Dr Serper's work is evident.
Inspired by her mother's pioneer work Lynn Serper's daughter Layne Mayer and a colleague have created a startup called VISIT, which aids caregivers of loved ones experiencing cognitive decline. A subscription provides caregivers with an activity kit delivered monthly, as well as unlimited access to the app. Each month, families will receive a box of curated activities: social, cognitive, creative, and sensory, and a magazine offering guidance on how to use each of the month's activities no matter their lives, one's ability, stage, or mood. The app provides a way to rate a series of defining yet simple questions after each visit with their loved on. Over time, a behavioral profile will begin to emerge and guide them on how and when to have the most rewarding interactions.3
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