There are three primary areas of focus for the professional services offered through Positive Dementia Paths which include:

1. Consultation, education and training for caregivers of persons with dementia
2. Evaluation of the home environment for safety, and accessibility
3. Public speaking, education, and training beyond the family

Consultation, education and training for caregivers of persons with dementia

Primary professional services offered by Positive Dementia Paths are to provide in-home consultation, training, and education for caregivers of persons who have dementia. This process includes:

A complementary phone consultation with Dr. Donovan that determines individualized needs for the family and the person being assessed.

A home visit is scheduled during which Dr. Donovan gathers information using evidence based assessments, interviews, and professional observations.

Assessment results are used to develop a written plan that provides action steps to improve communication, and independence and to prioritize tasks that ensure home safety. The plan  identifies the strengths and limitations of the person with memory loss and well as the living setting. The teaching elements of the plan may include things like specific kinds of cues and modifications needed to be taught to the caregiver to help the person with dementia be successful, happy, and purpose-filled in daily life. Training is done through written handouts, or in-person demonstration. Education is provided primarily in written formats, in addition to online resource guides. This can also be done in-person.

The plan is reviewed with the family. Depending upon the assessment results and family preferences, Dr. Donovan can then initiate teaching, demonstrate care techniques, and model communication approaches that help caregivers refine their skills for success. Again, written recommendations for approaches and activities for the person’s interests and ability levels such as daily self-care skills, or hobbies are provided as part of the education process.

• Other personalized recommendations, based on the results of assessment findings, may include suggestions for changes to the environment that will help promote daily independence and safety as well as retaining positive engagement in meaningful activities.
• Caregivers may seek additional consultations for assessment and recommendations to modify the initial plan as the person’s dementia progresses. 

Evaluation of the home environment for safety, and ease of access

Services may include:

• Use of standardized assessments to evaluate safety and accessibility of the living space
• Written recommendations for modifications make the living space more safe and user-friendly for all family members
• Durable medical equipment, or adaptive devices may be recommended for the safety or convenience for both the caregiver and the person with dementia.

Public speaking beyond the family

• In addition to one-on-one work with family or paid caregivers in the home, Positive Dementia Paths offers training for professional staff, students, business owners, and employees, and extended family members. Dr. Donovan has extensive experience in public speaking to large or small groups from local, regional, national and international locations.
• Dr. Donovan is available for public speaking for topics such as, aging with dignity, the need for meaning in purpose in our lives, continuing engagement in life, ways to capitalize on remaining abilities, caring for the caregiver, preserving caregiver well-being, safety in the home, safe ways to move adults with mobility impairments while protecting your back, aging in place, loneliness and isolation, and many others.

Rates and Fees

Positive Dementia Paths can help caregivers decrease frustration, increase understanding of the disease process and changes that occur, increase skills for getting daily activities done, and increase the amount of positive time to spend on relationships. Positive Dementia Paths services can be obtained in a private home, apartment, assisted living facility, or other if deemed appropriate by Dr. Donovan. Information on frequency, length, and cost of services follows.

Recommendations are made by Dr. Donovan with the intention of keeping the person with memory loss safe and contented in the home for a longer length of time, thus reducing or delaying the expense of institutional living.

• An Initial Assessment typically takes around 2-4 hours, and may occur over 1-2 visits with the family and the peson receiving care. Cost of the assessment, which includes the actual time with the patient and family, analyzing the results and producing a document to give to the family with findings and recommendations is $250.00.  The average number of hours spent on this initial assessment process is 15-20 hours for Dr. Donovan.
• After the initial assessment is completed, services are charged on an hourly basis at the rate of $125/hour and billing is done for 15 minute increments
• Caregiver training and education visits are typically one hour in length unless otherwise noted.
• Depending on the needs and wishes of the family visits can be set up weekly, bi-weekly, monthly or bi-monthly or on an individualized schedule.
• As the person’s memory loss progresses it is helpful to have a re-assessment of their abilities and updates of recommendations for training and education for the caregiver.
• GIFT CERTIFICATES ARE AVAILABLE- A thoughtful gift of care from a family or friend can be purchased. Adult children, especially those who live out of the area, can consider this option if parents are reluctant to pay for services. Contact Mary Lou for more information.
• Services are private-pay and do not qualify for Medicare or insurance reimbursement. Insurance is not accepted.
• Invoicing is done every two weeks.
• Initial phone consultation is available for no charge. Phone calls after care has been started will be billed at 15 minute increments.
• Service area includes 30 miles from Duluth. Service outside of that 30 mile area is available with additional costs for mileage and travel time.
• Public Speaking Fees are set according to the content, length of presentation, location, number of attendees, etc. Please contact Dr. Donovan for those details and inquiries.