Nicole Poirier: A pioneer in Alzheimer care

When I was 20, I turned my family home into a seniors’ residence. That was when I really became aware of the special needs of people with cognitive disorders. One resident, just after moving in with all her furniture, said to me ‘Thank you so much, I’m going back home’ as if she had no memory of her move. It opened my eyes to the complexity of the disease and the daily challenges faced by these people and their families. It was this experience that prompted me to look for a better way to support them, which led to the creation of Carpe Diem.

At Carpe Diem, we ask families, ‘What exactly is it that you need?’ We don’t propose a list of services, we adapt. Our goal is for the family to be able to rest knowing that their loved one is active and understood. We cook together, we take care of the house. It’s a real family experience.

We’ve discovered the importance of ‘mirror neurons’. For example, on the stairs, instead of letting the person go up first, we walk in front of them. When they see us going up, they naturally imitate the movement, which helps them climb the stairs more easily. Another example involves meals: rather than telling the person to eat, we sit down with them and start eating. Seeing us do this, they tend to copy the gesture and start eating too. By observing and understanding these mechanisms, we can find simple yet effective solutions to provide people with Alzheimer’s disease with day-to-day support.

Ambiguous loss and grief is a unique challenge for caregivers. The person is still physically present, but the relationship gradually changes. It’s a loss often borne in silence, as the rest of the family and friends don’t always perceive these subtle changes, but also out of loyalty or fear of betraying their loved one. Our role is also to break this solitude: at Carpe Diem, we create a space where caregivers can express themselves without judgment.

Our spaces are designed down to the smallest detail. Our staff wear plain clothes so as not to disturb the residents. In the evening, we close the curtains to avoid disturbing reflections in the windows. We have also limited the number of mirrors and installed shutters in front of those that remain. Some people no longer recognize themselves in their reflection, and may be frightened by thinking they’re seeing a stranger. By allowing the shutters to be opened or closed as required, we respect those who still need mirrors, while protecting those who are afraid of them. These little touches make all the difference to the daily well-being of our residents.

Our ‘roving teams’ are an innovation I’m proud of. They can make short visits tailored to the specific needs of each situation. For example, they can come and eat with the person with Alzheimer’s, allowing the caregiver to take a break or go about other business. They can also accompany the person to run errands, offering the caregiver a welcome break. It’s a flexible approach that can be tailored to the real needs of families and those affected.

This is a delicate and often emotional time. We encourage families to become involved as much as they wish. Some prefer to continue taking care of meals, others choose to share leisure time. Our philosophy is simple: we ask families how they want to participate, without imposing a cookie-cutter model.

Today, treatments are mainly aimed at relieving symptoms. Research is progressing, but the essential approach is to focus on all aspects of life: a balanced diet, physical activity and social interaction. At Carpe Diem, we strive to maintain this holistic approach, despite the challenges of the disease.

My dream is for Quebec to become a model of respect for the fundamental rights of people with Alzheimer’s and their families. This requires political change, but also a transformation in the way we look at the disease. Everyone deserves to live in dignity, despite their illness.

This article is an excerpt from the digital magazine Des histoires qui résonnent. Discover authentic and touching testimonials that give voice to caregivers and those who support them.

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