Michiana nurse launching product to help Alzheimer's and Dementia patients

BERRIEN SPRINGS, Mich.-Zach Gordon wears many hats.

He’s a husband, father, a musician and a registered nurse in Berrien Springs. But now, he can add inventor to that list.

ABC 57 News first introduced you to Zach in April of 2016 when he was creating a prototype for a device that helps a broad range of people suffering from memory loss.

His concept came from his everyday job. Gordon learned that repeating messages and information to his patients with Alzheimer’s or dementia helped them remember who they are and what they loved.

The portable device implements music therapy, which has been proven to help treat mental and neurological disorders.

“We’re in several local nursing homes and our response is better than I could have ever hoped,” Gordon said. “The more that we go, we are reducing drugs, reducing behaviors and reducing the negative side effects related to these drugs.”

Becky Dragiwicz’s mother, who suffers from Alzheimer’s, has been living in an assisted living facility in Saint Joseph for about a year.

“She has a lot of anxiety where she feels like her children are missing and kidnapped and things have happened to her,” Dragiwicz said.

But once her mother started using Memesto, things began to look a little brighter.

“It’s calmed her down a lot and they’ve actually been able to give her less medication,” Dragiwicz said.

To make his dream a reality, Zach is partnering up with local investors. The partnership formed a new company in Saint Joe, Edgewater Safety Systems.

President Rick Blake met Zach through a mutual friend. When he heard Zach’s story, his own mother immediately came to mind.

“My mother’s been severely affected by Alzheimer’s and I wanted to do something to remind her that she was cared and loved for when we weren’t able to be there and Memesto gave us that opportunity,” Blake said.

The device may not provide a cure. But, it gives patients and their loved ones a beacon of hope.

Gordon has high hopes for the future. As he continues to chase his dream, he hopes families just like Becky’s, will get to see the effect Memesto has.

Memesto will officially launch in January 2018. You can learn more about Memesto HERE.