Local communities offer specialized memory care services
Senior living communities are not only beautiful, warm, inviting and well maintained, they offer high-quality amenities, specialized care, different levels of care with well-trained staff, numerous programs and activities.
This especially is true for those affected by dementia. The quality of care and trained staff in many of the senior living communities create safe, secure environments and personalized care to create a home-style atmosphere, which helps produce a high level of mental health for these residents. Family members, who once cared for their loved ones with dementia at home, are able to sleep well at night knowing their loved ones are being well cared for in one of many Houston memory care communities.
Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental abilities severe enough to interfere with daily life. Memory loss is an example. Alzheimer’s is the most common type of demen- tia. Dementia is not a specific disease, it’s an overall term that describes a range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a person’s ability to perform everyday activities. Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of cases. Vascular dementia, which occurs after a stroke, is the second-most common dementia type. However, there are many other conditions that can cause symptoms of dementia, including some that are reversible, such as thyroid problems and vitamin deficiencies.
“At U.S. Memory Care at Vintage, our residents live in a secure and comfortable area, with very structured activities, which keeps their minds active. Our staff encourages residents to engage in these activities, which, again, is important and beneficial. Eating well is also important, so all of the meals are prepared from scratch, without preservatives, which is also much better,” said Teresa Wolfe, director, sales and marketing, U.S. Memory Care at Vintage, a specialized Memory Care senior living community.
U.S. Memory Care at Vintage is designed for memory care residents and is the only population it serves.
“We specialize in the care for those who have Alzheimer’s or dementia. We have three distinct neighborhoods designed to meet the needs of each resident at the level of care they need. We also have ‘Main Street’ where our residents can go to participate in specialized programing and life experiences that will enrich their body and minds,” Wolfe said.
Main Street is an area at U.S. Memory Care at Vintage that
resembles a street of shops, with choices from a movie theater, hobby shop, sweet shop and a beauty shop.
“We also offer three meals and three snacks a day. Hydration and nutrition for dementia residents are very important. Some residents forget if they have eaten or not, so we monitor the residents to ensure they are eating and drinking. Dehydration leads to urinary tract infections, which increases behavioral problems in dementia residents,” Wolfe said.
Personal care and attention are very important.
“One of the first things we do with the family members is a life assessment visit. We ask them what their loved one’s habits have been such as drinking coffee in the morning, taking a bath in the evening, and other questions, so we will know what their daily routine has been. When their loved one becomes a resident here, we help continue those daily routines, which is beneficial,” said Karen Moyer, director, marketing, The Forum at Memorial Woods, a senior living community that offers a number of levels of care from independent living to memory care.
“Recognizing the uniqueness of each resi- dent enables us to create an individualized wellness plan that provides just the right amount of support needed.
“Large doses of kindness, care and empathy are among the most important aspects of The Forum at Memorial Woods. We train our staff to be considerate and conscience of residents’ habits. This is an example of our attention to detail, which ensures our residents enjoy a high-quality of care and life, and their families have the assurance of knowing they have made the right decision,” Moyer said.
Also at The Forum, among the amenities offered, it has a calendar full of daily activities for dementia residents. At the Forum, the memory care area is known as The Bridge to Rediscovery.
The Bridge to Rediscovery is an innovative approach that helps residents rediscover the joys in everyday life. The activities and philosophy of this approach were inspired by the Montessori-style to education to help children succeed. The program focuses on the individual and helps residents learn through hands-on activities designed to engage residents at different levels.
“Families are encouraged to furnish their loved one’s rooms with treasured pictures and furnishings that are familiar. This helps to foster the feeling of home and security residents with memory loss require,” Moyer said.
“Both long-term health care and skilled-nursing services are available at The Forum at Memorial Woods. Our highly trained in-house rehabilitation department specializes in the particular needs of residents,” Moyer said.