Caregivers report that “Rose” level gentleman once required 3 caregivers for assistance with bathing. Using the “Bouquet Method” for proper approach, set-up of his environment and correct verbal cues, he is fully engaged with bathing needing only one caregiver. Not only has this decreased to burden of care, and the fear of negative interactions for the caregiver, it has also resulted in the resident’s decrease in behavioral outbursts, lowered his state of anxiety, improved resident / staff relationship, and resulted in consistent and successful bathing.

Dining room staff reports that they have had more success with improved meal consumption using techniques on “Violet” and “Rose” levels with correct set-up of meals, encouragement and hand over hand assist. They have seen consistent success which has improved relationships with the residents and decreased staff stress.

An Executive Director of an ALF was able to successfully connect with a gentleman on a “Rose” level. As he initially appeared to be disinterested and refusing a popsicle when offered, when she used the correct technique and approach, he was able to receive, eat and enjoy it.

Home health sales person reported successful connection in supporting a person on a “Violet” level with hydration during an event. As a result of Botes training, she knew how to navigate this lady’s refusal to drink in order to successfully elicit her drinking a full cup of water. This highlights the need of knowledge on why our persons stay dehydrated.

One Executive Director 150 bed ALF states that they were able to retain all of their night shift staff for one year even through the Covid epidemic. They believe that this is largely due to Botes training empowering their staff toward meaningful relationship and success with the residents.

A Director of nursing and dining director of an 800 bed campus states that the communication between healthcare staff and dining staff has improved using the “Memory Bouquet” as their platform. They have also observed increased retention of dining staff and improved interaction with residents after Botes training.

Ms. A travels between daughters, spending 3 months with each. Upon arrival at daughter 1, she presented as a Rose, losing weight, unable to sit unsupported, lethargic and with little communication skills. The family was taught how to enter into her space, how to present objects in her environment, how to approach and connect with her with one step verbal cues, demonstration and tactile/hand-over-hand assistance. She is now functioning as a high Violet with regained verbal skills, able to assist with cooking, washing dishes and even dancing the Salsa with her son-in-law. She no longer needs tactile cues and she has also gained 12 lbs back! (We have family permission to share this wonderful story)

Our OT was able to coordinate ongoing appropriate activity centers for one ALF with many variations in Memory Bouquet skill levels. Presenting the activity at the correct level allowed her to have a “Violet” and a “Rose” attentively engaged and finding joy through arranging silk flowers into containers for nearly 30 minutes- joining Daisies and Lilies at the same task! Lap trays enabled many residents to color a “mandala” or play card games combatting isolation during Covid.

Staff at an ALF reported that Ms. G, a “Rose” was not eating well. Even when her meal was something she normally loved, she would sit through lunch without eating a bite unless a caregiver fed her. Through “Memory Bouquet” skills implementation, the OT used bright red color contrasting paper plate, and verbal and tactile cues to aid Ms. G in attending to eating. Through staff training in initial hand over hand assist, she is now able to feed herself half of her meal before needing redirection. She is eating more and regaining weight.

An OT working with residents in an ALF, was able to coordinate a meaningful time of cookie decorating involving patients and staff. Through the use of the “Memory Bouquet” she assessed residents’ abilities and therefore provided appropriate setup for each resident to engage successfully. It was time of fun and reminiscence for everyone!

After receiving OT cognitive staging using the “Botes Analysis of Functional cognition” and arriving at the Memory Bouquet level of “Lily”, Mr. C is now demonstrating significant improvement with short term memory skills, and daily orientation with calendar use. Now he manages appointments and other events confidently. He actively journals daily and engages in downloaded brain exercise apps to maximize his brain activity and function. He and his wife are extremely pleased with his improvements.

Mr. L struggled with a severe hearing loss and staff was struggling to communicate effectively with him. Their gesturing and pointing only added to his confusion. Using “Botes Analysis of Functional Cognition”, The OT adapted his environment using simple directional signs and a white board for effective communication. He is now cooperative with staff written requests in an appropriate simple form for basic ADLs and is able to locate his own room, bathroom and closet with confidence.

M. K was struggling to hold onto some sense of independence within the assisted living facility. As a “Violet”, She was not bathing often enough since she couldn’t keep track of her frequency and would insist to staff that she was fine. Through structuring her day and activities in a way that gave her the ability to acknowledge a written bathing schedule with staff assistance, and specific setup and approach, she was able to regain a sense of control and hygiene was no longer a concern. She expressed relief and gratitude.

Mr. J recognized his wife’s continued ability to complete some of her own daily activities of self-care but was pained by the loss of other skills and hobbies that she had previously enjoyed. Through the use of “Botes functional analysis” OT was able to educate them both on the “Daisy” level (emerging “Violet” level), and on grading skills and providing appropriate activities to allow his wife more successes, and engagement for maximizing function. She now helps with laundry, sets the table, sorts the silverware and completes flower arranging crafts regularly, with an increased sense of purpose. Safety measures are also in place regarding her husband’s concern about night time wandering.

Two daughters of a man living in memory care at the “Daisy” level expressed gratitude for the education they received regarding their dad. “Now that we better understand more about his Memory Bouquet level and we understand what our expectations should be, we have developed a realistic visiting and telephone call schedule for our family of 5 siblings.” This support resulted in a significant decrease in the gentleman’s level of agitation and the family’s stress level as well.

Ms. E had lived in her own home but following a recent hospitalization she returned confused, depressed and feeling hopeless. She required 24/7 care from family and private duty caregivers. Through the implementation of “Botes Memory Method”, technological devices were inserted, environmental structure and changes made and Ms. E was taught safe methods of managing her own medications, appointments and other life skills based on her Memory Bouquet level strengths. She and the family gained confidence in her independence and she was ultimately able to return successfully to her own home and living the life she loved.

Ms. F experienced an altered mental status and had declined from needing occasional supervision for specific tasks to needing assistance for all ADLs. After using “Botes Analysis” tool and determining her functional cognition, her OT was able to make some environmental changes and teach staff proper environmental set-up and approach with verbal cues and demonstration at her Bouquet level. Given this proper support, she was able to resume her functional ability and her family was thrilled with the outcome.

“Botes Memory Method” instruction was provided regarding the power of music in releasing “feel good” hormones and alerting the senses offering a heightened relational opportunity. Following an introduction, this client and his daughter were able to enjoy a memorable time of laughing and dancing together, removing the barrier of dementia for the moment.

Mr. B was struggling with intermittent bouts of delusions and hallucinations. The family and the patient were provided education through “Botes Memory Method” to implement strategies and sensory diversion to combat and redirect the events. He and his family report experiencing much calmer and more manageable days, as they are now equipped to navigate these otherwise stressful events.

Home health caregiver reported successful connection in supporting a person on a “Violet” level with hydration during an event. As a result of Botes training, she knew how to navigate this lady’s refusal to drink in order to successfully elicit her drinking a full cup of water.

An Executive Director of an ALF was able to successfully connect with a gentleman on a “Rose” level. As he initially appeared to be disinterested and refusing a popsicle when offered, when she used the correct technique and approach, he was able to receive, eat and enjoy it.

The director of nursing at a 75 bed memory care unit reports that the dining supervisor and staff have elevated the dining experience while serving the needs of all residents at their cognitive level following Botes Memory Method” training. They began providing options using a food cart display giving opportunity for choices to residents who would otherwise be unable to use a written menu; relieving resident frustration and in fact, eliminating behavioral outbursts in the dining room.

One 150 bed assisted living facility used the “Bouquet Method” to provide the appropriate cognitive approach to each resident in order to facilitate bathing. “Daisy’s” were able to choose when they want to bathe on a calendar and received reminders while “Violets” and “Roses” are bathed daily at the same time using the same approach appropriate for their level. The ALF was able to report 0 refusals to bathe in the first month!

Sira, the contractor finished the “functional” phase of the renovation of Mom’s bathroom. Your ideas were all implemented and Mom is really pleased with how much easier it is for her to use it. You are a true caregiving genius with a perspective that helps make the process of aging more palatable for those in the last phases of life. We cannot adequately express how much we appreciate your helping us make Mom’s life better. Thank you, Steve