Plan of Action
The Memory Compass Helps to Navigate Memory Loss and Cognitive Challenges
Writer / Alli Donovan
Photography Provided
When someone receives a diagnosis of Alzheimers disease or dementia, whether it be themselves or a family member, its a terrifying moment. Many questions arise, and it can be difficult to know what to do or where to start with the diagnosis.
Jessie Hillock has answers.
As the owner and founder of The Memory Compass, Hillock provides direction, resources and compassion for families dealing with Alzheimers, dementia and other neurodegenerative diagnoses.
Hillock is a speech-language pathologist who specializes in the cognitive decline and communication skills surrounding Alzheimers and dementia patients. She has spent six years of her professional career in skilled nursing facilities.
It was while I was working in these skilled nursing facilities that I was working with patients and their families who had just received the diagnosis, Hillock says. Unfortunately their neurologist would say, Ill see you back in six months, and the family wasnt getting the education they needed.
That was when Hillock decided to take matters into her own hands. The Memory Compass was founded in 2019 to help families navigate memory loss and cognitive decline, whether during the early stages, a recent diagnosis or further progression in their journey.
There wasnt a specific place for people to go to have real guidance and education on the cognitive disease diagnoses, she says. I wanted to be the navigator to help them along the way. I wanted families to know that there was somebody there to support them.
Hillock has created her business to include a wide range of services for families needing assistance in handling this major health change.
The Memory Compass offers three tiers of services to clients. One tier is memory-loss navigation. Hillock helps families navigate the disease. Through in-depth interviews, she gets to know the family and everything about their loved one who is diagnosed with memory loss. She provides the tools, expert support, local resources and knowledge on what to advocate for, when it comes to taking care of someone diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disease.
Families arent told how to handle day to day, or how to tackle the behavioral changes of this diagnosis, Hillock says. I help the families with the journey and even the mindset shift of this cognitive decline of their loved one.
The second tier involves consultations and mentoring to fellow therapists. Many of these therapists are across the country and looking to bring a similar business to their own state.
The third tier involves training health care professionals, businesses and communities. Hillock trains businesses on how they can be more supportive and understanding for their employees who are taking care of a family member with Alzheimers or dementia. In particular, this addresses the sandwich generation – those taking care of children while also taking care of a parent with a cognitive disease. Hillock provides professional programs and strategy sessions to those employers thinking about providing support services to their employees.
Not only is The Memory Compass changing lives, but its also the first of its kind in Indiana. It is the first and only business in Indiana that provides this extensive amount of services regarding neurodegenerative disease resources, education and support to caretakers, acting as a true navigator and supporter through this difficult journey.
In addition to owning and operating The Memory Compass, Hillock also co-facilitates the Central Indiana Daughterhood Circle monthly support group, a community of people who support each other as they care for aging parents and other family members.
Patients or families are encouraged to reach out to Hillock and her team at The Memory Compass as soon as they feel that something is off. After an initial discovery call, she will provide an initial assessment of your situation and discuss pain points and ideas for an action plan.
If you or your family are interested in these services, visit thememorycompass.com and fill out their contact form. You can also email Hillock at info@thememorycompass.com. The Memory Compass serves Zionsville and surrounding areas in person or virtually, and across the U.S. virtually or by phone.
