Communities focus on memory maintenance

Many once thought that mental deterioration and memory problems automatically came with advancing age.

Recent research, though, shows that there are some things you can do to maintain or improve your memory and enhance your quality of life.

“We interview the resident/family about favorite artists, albums, songs, and genres, and download a playlist to iPods for the residents to enjoy and reminisce with,” said Treemont activity director Jeanette Mitchell. “Also, we have several nontoxic wax scents (apple pie, citrus, leather, etc.) that we place in labeled Ziploc bags. We open them one at a time and reminisce about what the scent reminds the resident of and have them elaborate on those scents.”

Mitchell also said they offer all kinds of games, such as Sudoku, mazes, and other word and number games to keep the mind sharp and thoughtful. Besides these, they offer bunco and bingo, where residents observe social distancing. Another favorite game is Mystery Box, where a resident puts their hands into a wooden box where there is an object that they have to touch/feel to figure out what it is.

“All of these programs, and many more, stimulate multiple areas in the brain. We all need to be stimulated with all of our senses. Taste, touch, sight, smell, and sound; all are very important to stimulate the different lobes in the brain, as well as to ‘cross-train’ the brain to forge new pathways and allow for the slowing of dementia progression in certain cases,” said Kelli Walleck LeLacheur, director of marketing and admissions, Treemont Health Care Center.

“We approach caring for our residents’ minds and memory in two ways: Care that is geared toward the collective community and individualized care because everyone ages differently,” said Abraham Mathew, executive director of Buckner Parkway Place. “Across the community, we approach the entire Buckner experience through the lens of how to help our residents maintain mental sharpness while also helping those who may already be experiencing some deterioration.”

“Our activities are designed to meet multiple needs, such as physical, social, and spiritual, as well as intellectual. This includes mind games, book clubs, and musical groups to promote mental stimulation,” he said. “Our goal is to also promote socialization, which is one of the best ways to slow the progression of dementia and prevent isolation.”

Matthew said the community has a full-time dietitian on staff to promote healthy living. Menus’ consistent use of foods and ingredients like fish for Omega 3s, dark green vegetables for cognition and memory retention, and fruit and berries for antioxidants, demonstrates Parkway Place’s balanced approach.

“Of course, we also engage our residents on an individual level to provide person-centered care and to be able to truly understand their situation and help them through a possible transition from independent living to memory care. Finding a senior living community that provides continuous care is important to minimize the amount of change imposed on a senior adult during the already difficult time. Parkway Place provides that stability,” said Matthew.

Courtesy of Treemont “Shake, Rattle, and Rolling” through isolation with a 1950s-inspired activity cart are Marilyn Monroe (Kelli Walleck LeLacheur, director of admissions) and Elvis (left, Don Ibanez, director of maintenance) along with Treemont’s other “King,” resident Martin Stepanski.

Courtesy of Treemont Health Care Center activity director Jeanette Mitchell helps resident Roderic Morrogh with the activity “finish lines,” where she says the beginning portion of a song, phrase or saying and he finishes it.