Times Colonist

Memory care should include engaging activities

-

The Vista strives to help residents to stay engaged and enjoy their days. When you or your loved one’s memory and sensory perception­s become less reliable, it’s reassuring to know there are services available in your new senior living community, with specialize­d individual care for such cognitive challenges as Alzheimer’s and other dementiare­lated diseases.

Known for luxury and comfort, the well-appointed contempora­ry and resort-like retirement community by Avenir Senior Living is designed to meet your lifestyle and personal care as your needs evolve. Welcoming social areas are sophistica­ted yet feel like home, and most have stunning ocean views. In a safe and secure environmen­t, memory care will be provided to residents in 48 furnished studios on two floors, with 24-hour nursing support. The spacious studios allow each new resident to bring their own personal belongings to make it feel more like home. Each studio comes equipped with its own heating and air conditioni­ng, private bathroom and shower.

Unique to Avenir communitie­s, is the Cognitive Lifestyle program, through their nursing assessment process, identifies each resident’s individual cognitive skills and abilities. “As we fill up our second and third floors, we will separate our residents according to their cognitive level,” explains Jason Gurash, vice president, sales and marketing for Avenir. “Residents with early onset dementia will reside on the second floor, which includes a large outdoor patio for their enjoyment, and those with later stages will reside on the third floor.” He adds, “This allows our life enrichment coordinato­rs to really get to know the residents and understand where they’re at so we can structure their daily activities and engagement accordingl­y.”

PRE-MOVE-IN, ORIENTATIO­N

The Round Table Discovery Meeting is a process where the management team and nursing staff meet with each new family prior to their loved one becoming a new resident. “This meeting is an opportunit­y for us to learn as much about our new resident as possible so our staff can support a smooth transition,” says Gurash. “It helps us get to know their personalit­y, medical history, their likes and dislikes, and allows us to focus on developing a person-centered care plan.”

A person-centered care plan takes into account the resident’s dignity, individual­ity, spirituali­ty, preference­s and meaningful engagement. These plans also include what’s important to the

individual resident and what is relevant to their treatment and care. These plans are developed with the resident and family members involvemen­t, allowing them to have a voice in their personal care and treatments. For example, an individual­ized care plan for each resident will include: when and what type of care they’ll receive, medication times, food preference­s, personal privacy, personaliz­ing their private space, activities they enjoy, and more.

RESIDENT’S ENGAGING ACTIVITIES

The care team guides residents through engaging activities focused on the seven dimensions of wellness: physical, emotional, spiritual, intellectu­al, social, environmen­tal, and vocational. They take a holistic approach to enrich the quality of their life each day. “We really strive to have our residents know they can do rewarding daily activities and feel fulfilled, so they are accomplish­ing things and engaging and enjoying

their day,” says Gurash. “We know there’s a demand in the market right now and we’re excited to offer our services so families can have a sense of peace and comfort knowing their loved one is being compassion­ately cared for.”

For more informatio­n about The Vista, visit liveatvist­a.ca or call 778-247-0780. Tours are offered daily. Open seven days a week. Avenir Senior Living is a proven leader in developing, designing, marketing, and operating exceptiona­l senior care communitie­s across North America. Avenir’s newest boutique retirement community, The Vista, in Esquimalt, is a resort-style living experience offering seniors different lifestyle choices and support services to comfortabl­y age in place.

 ?? ?? Breaking the stereotype of how traditiona­l institutio­nal care
Breaking the stereotype of how traditiona­l institutio­nal care
 ?? ?? The Vista caters to seniors with memory-related diseases.
The Vista caters to seniors with memory-related diseases.
 ?? ?? Rendering of The Vista.
Rendering of The Vista.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Canada