Personalized Care for Individuals Living with Memory Loss
When it comes to caring for a loved one who is living with memory loss, it’s important to connect them with the best people and resources to help them live their best life possible. Because dementia and other types of memory loss are so diverse and specific to the individual, providing your loved one with personalized healthcare is of the utmost importance.
What is Memory Loss?
“Memory loss” is a broad term for any issue with forming, storing, or recalling memories.
There are different types of memory loss:
Acute Memory Loss
This is more commonly known as amnesia. It can happen because of an illness or injury.
Progressive Memory Loss
This is memory loss that happens gradually. It is sometimes a symptom of a degenerative brain disease.
Are Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease the Same Thing?
Alzheimer’s is a specific brain disease that accounts for 60-80% of dementia cases. Dementia is a general term for symptoms like decline in memory, reasoning, or other thinking skills.
Here are some challenges that can be caused by dementia:
Short-term memory
Keeping track of a purse or wallet
Staying on top of paying bills
Easily planning and preparing meals
Remembering appointments
Traveling out of the neighborhood
Here are some challenges that can be caused by Alzheimer’s:
Memory loss that disrupts daily life
Challenges in planning or solving problems
Difficulty completing familiar tasks
Confusion with time or place
Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
What is Personalized Care and Why is it Necessary?
Because dementia and other types of memory loss can be such an individualistic illness, it’s important that every person living with memory loss gets the unique care they need.
Personalized care can help manage symptoms, reduce agitation, help cognitive function, and encourage a sense of dignity and autonomy.
Memory loss isn’t a one-size fits all illness, so it shouldn’t be treated as such. Tailored health plans and person-centered care can help improve emotional well-being and manage symptoms better.
The Aspenwood Company Communities Provide a New Level of Care for Your Loved One
With The Aspenwood Company’s SOAR program, services are delivered by team members who work together to create a contemporary, life-affirming, activity rich environment for persons living with memory loss. The SOAR program is a personalized and research-backed approach designed to provide purpose, joy, and hope for individuals living with memory loss.
Our signature programs are crafted based on research findings and are designed to ignite cognitive engagement, as well as promote well-being and socialization.
Here are the program’s key features:
Positive Affirmations. Having an optimistic outlook decreases the risk of major illness. That is why we start each day with good news stories, words of appreciation, meaningful discussion, and friendship.
Aspenwood University. Studies show that people with cognitive impairment experience less cognitive decline over time when introduced to intellectual enrichment programs. So, in SOAR, we conduct classes personalized to residents’ interests.
In the Moment Activities. Creating meaningful, one-on-one moments is necessary to establish relationships with people diagnosed with memory loss. Our team is trained to recognize that even small moments of engagement are important. These 30-second, “in-between” the calendar activities support connection and build self-esteem.
Unwind & Relax. Every afternoon, we work on decreasing anxiety by creating a calm, peaceful environment for residents through sensory programs utilizing music and aromatherapy. Research shows that practicing mindful relaxation lowers depression scores and improves ratings in sleep quality and quality of life.
Get Energized. Studies found older adults at high-risk of Alzheimer’s who perform 30-minutes of moderate exercise five days a week have less memory and cognitive challenges. Every morning, residents enjoy a morning workout with music and movement. In the afternoon, we focus on large motor skills with movement therapy and hand-eye coordination games.
The SOAR program also has a variety of purpose points that are designed to evoke a sense of purpose in residents. This aligns with research telling us that maintaining purpose has positive effects when it comes to cognitive function.
Here are the program’s purpose points:
Nursery
Cradles, changing tables, rocking chairs, and baby dolls help residents recall memories of parenthood and spark feelings and habits of caregiving and nurturing.
Tool Station
This gives residents the opportunity to use safe but familiar accessories in a workshop environment. The tool station evokes memories of workshop projects, fixing up old cars and provides therapy for the mind and body.
Laundry
This purpose point allows residents the opportunity to experience and remember washing and folding clothes. These interactive accessories can provide a sense of purpose and usefulness and can spark memories of a common household task.
In the Garden
Gardening evokes memories of the pleasures of nurturing plants and helps memory care residents be interactive.
Sports Fan
This purpose point is perfect for residents who are the ultimate sports fan. It provides an opportunity for physical activity and friendly competition, as well as a walk down memory lane shooting hoops and watching their favorite team take on their biggest rival.
The Aspenwood Company has communities that provide unmatched hospitality, friendly caregivers, and a level of care that will help your loved one live their best life possible. With communities all over the southeastern United States, our memory care communities like Clayton Oaks Living, Spring Creek Village, Village at the Triangle, Village of Meyerland, Village of River Oaks, Village of Southampton, Village of the Heights, Village on the Park Bentonville, and Village on the Park Rogers all provide outstanding care with opportunities for physical fitness, socialization, pet therapy, and more.
The Aspenwood Company Can Help Seniors Live Life Well®
When it comes to your living situation, it is important to choose a community that will provide you with a rich and vibrant life.
Our communities are the standard of luxurious living for mature adults. You will find our properties in the most sought-after locations, in the middle of culture and activity, where a vibrant lifestyle surrounds you. We’ve spent 25 years fine-tuning every detail of luxurious living so that our residents enjoy a new sense of freedom and fulfillment.
There’s luxury, and then there is Aspenwood luxury.
In order to become a member of an Aspenwood luxury community, mature adults will face some hard, but important decisions. Be assured that our team is trustworthy and compassionate, and ready to serve you. We are here to provide encouragement, support, and helpful information.
You have the opportunity to pursue and experience freedom like never before. It’s time to experience the laughter, the energy, the activity, the friendly faces, and the caring people of The Aspenwood Company. It’s time to Live Life Well®.