Alzheimer activity therapist

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POCATELLO - Sometimes, all it takes is a handkerchief for Wendy Rickard to jar an Alzheimer's patient's memory. Up until the 1960s, she explained women never left home without one.

For the men, she might come with a fishing pole. While they hold the rod, Rickard discretely fastens a rubber fish to the end of the line.

Rickard is one of the few Alzheimer's activity therapists in Idaho. Though the method has yet to catch on in the Gem State, she said it's been a proven technique for the better part of two decades in Milwaukee, Wis., where she lived before moving to Pocatello in October 2005.

To determine what will strike a chord with a patient, Rickard interviews her patients and their family members. She has several collections of vintage memorabilia - things like baseball programs, photographs and music from the 1920s through the 1960s.

''You have to have pieces that can tell a story to these people that will generate their memory,'' Rickard said. ''It will trigger something. It also helps families when they come to visit. It helps them to create a meaningful and quality time with the resident.''

In the interest of helping others remember the past, she hosts one-woman plays. She dresses old-time costumes, sings Broadway music and uses lots of props. One of her most popular, and effective, shows is called Women of the Wild West. Rickard hides sacks of gold in the crowd and hands out boas to spur audience participation.

Somehow, it seems to Rickard that her spectators ''wake up'' a little bit.

''I don't sing real well, but I'm funny and real animated,'' said Rickard, who changes costumes three times during the 47-minute performance.

Rickard discovered her passion for helping those afflicted with Alzheimer's by chance about 18 years ago. The pastor of the Milwaukee church where she worked suggested that she volunteer time at the local nursing home.

''Ever since then, I've had some type of work where I've been connected with geriatrics,'' Rickard said. ''This has probably been the most rewarding time in my life, and I fell into it by accident.''

While in Pocatello, Rickard has been active in supporting the annual Memory Walk. It's a fundraiser hosted throughout the nation that will take place locally from, Oct. 13 in Chubbuck's OK Ward Park. The walk begins at 9 a.m., with registration beforehand. Participants will walk the path around the park, and there will be raffle prizes and food.

Rickard has also urged local lawmakers to seek legislation requiring nursing homes to maintain progress notes on socialization and activity levels of Alzheimer's patients.

1. What's your favorite food? Nuts.

2. If you could have dinner with one famous person, who would it be? Alice Paul - women's voting rights.

3. Who inspires you the most? My patients of Alzheimer's.

4. Who's your ideal next-door neighbor? An acre on land with my pets.

5. If you could return to any age, what age would you be and why? Mid-30s because there is so much work to do with Alzheimer's disease.

6. When (and if) you arrive at the gates of Heaven, what would you like to hear God say to you? Agnes is waiting for you. She's one of my first Alzheimer's patients.

7. If you could choose a new career, what would it be? I would not change.

8. Any regrets? I miss my children in Milwaukee.

9. What's your favorite appliance? Refrigerator.

10. What's the heaviest piece of furniture in your house? Victorian room divider.

11. Who are your top three dream dinner partners? Too many to list.

12. If you won the lottery, how would you spend the money? Build an adult day care for seniors and buy my husband a boat.

13. What was the last good book you read? ''Taking Care of an Alzheimer's patient.''

14. What's your favorite sport? Basketball.

15. What was your favorite vacation? Our first time driving out here to Idaho.

16. What was the best day of your life? My wedding day.

17. The worst day? The day I left Milwaukee and my children.

18. What was the best piece of advice you ever received? Agnes said, ''Never stop doing what you do. We need you.''

By John O'Connell

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