Our Story
The word “Dementia” provokes some of the most emotional responses in different individuals across all spectrums of age, race, culture, sex, social standing and even education. And it is no different for me. My name is Sira Botes OTR/L CHT CDP and creator of the Botes Memory Method. As a grandchild, child, neighbor and therapist, I have experienced these conflicting and provoking emotions first hand.
A grandfather suffering from severe memory loss, cared for by a loving and committed grandmother was the first experiences I had with this devastation. At the end he was bedridden, needed 24/7 care on a very personal level, and did not recognize any family or friends. I so wish I could turn back time and really be present for my grandmother – I was 14 years old when he passed.
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As an occupational therapist I developed scientific, and analytical skills that enabled me to recognize some early signs of cognitive decline in my lovely mother. Now living with almost complete short-term memory loss her and my father’s resilience, courage and ability to adapt to the new normal has been awe inspiring.
Working with persons living with Dementia have stirred a special calling within me to reach out to and empower and equip communities, care partners and families with the necessary skills to connect with their loved ones.
Through the development of a new cognitive analysis, associated with a new Bouquet Method for cognitive staging it is my dream to provide the dementia community with a communication platform upon which we can grow our dementia sensitivity and care approach.
Welcome to our internet community and join us in our quest for excellence.
Sira Botes,
Creator of the Botes Memory Method
Meet the Team
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Sira Botes
OTR/L, CHT, CDPFounder
Sira Botes is an Occupational Therapist whom graduated from the University of Pretoria in South Africa in 1993. She moved to the Unites States in 1996 and currently resides in the Gainesville, Fl with her husband and two girls. Sira developed a passion for persons living with dementia as she observed her mom’s ongoing struggle with memory loss as well as her grandfather’s battle with Alzheimer’s, complicated by Korsakov’s syndrome.
Her role as a home care clinician, treating persons living with cognitive impairment inspired her to create a communication platform, the Memory Bouquet, that could impact everyone involved with dementia care. Sira’s discontent with current tools available to clinicians for assessment, and treatment purposes, moved her to create her own unique evidence-based assessment tool.
The Botes Analysis of Functional Cognition focuses on the role of executive function during activity engagement. As a result, the Botes Memory Method was born and has impacted seniors and their loved ones and caregivers across the state of Florida. Sira has been invited to speak on podcasts, webinars and live events as well as presenting to her peers at a state level. She has trained hundreds of Occupational Therapists and caregivers alike in the use of the Memory Bouquet to elevate the quality of life and decrease the burden of this disease for everyone involved.
 Joshua Gervais
DPTCo-Founder
Joshua Gervais received an undergraduate degree in sports medicine/athletic training, and went on to the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Florida where he received a doctorate degree in physical therapy in 2009. Over the course of his career Josh developed a deep connection with the geriatric population he served. His passion for quality care steered him into program development and directing care in senior living communities. His heart for improved dementia care and his knowledge of challenges faced by this population inspired him to actively pursue innovative interventions. He has a strong interest in strength and conditioning coaching, and being involved in the health and fitness world. His mission is to blend the concepts of exercise science, strength and conditioning, health and wellness, and the human potential into a multi-faceted approach to keeping every senior as healthy and independent as possible.
Josh continues to reside on the First Coast Jacksonville, Florida with his wife and three children.
Janie Gant
COTAVice president of Education
Please meet Janie Gant, an exceptional Occupation Therapist Assistant for over 3 decades. She has always loved Occupational Therapy as it addresses the whole person – physically mentally, and psychologically. She loves to be challenged to find creative ways to meet the needs of clients. Her work history includes a multitude of settings including pediatric, school system, outpatient, long term care, hospital acute care and home health. She is honored to join the Botes Memory Method team in such an important expedition to change cultural views of dementia and improve the quality of life for caregivers and persons experiencing neurocognitive decline. Janie finds it exciting to be a part of a team that is positively impacting lives of people in a way that hasn't been done before. She currently serves as Sira Botes' Senior Botes Memory Method Educator and assistant in ongoing development of the Memory Bouquet™ pathway here in Florida.
