“Every person’s memory loss journey is unique, which is why it’s so important to have a personalized approach to memory care,” says Cindy Wirth, Executive Director of Bridges® by EPOCH at Sudbury, a memory care assisted living community in Sudbury, MA. “Building a plan that takes into account personal histories, remaining abilities and preferences helps each individual maintain a sense of self. By recognizing the spark that makes each person unique, we’re able to provide our residents with opportunities to experience joy and receive the care they need.”
The personalized approach developed by Bridges® by EPOCH uses research-based techniques to meet our residents’ needs, nurture their spirits, support their bodies and encourage their minds. “Every resident is an individual person, filled with wants and desires and rich histories, and by personalizing our memory care, we are able to celebrate the person within while providing caring assistance to help them live their best lives,” says Cindy. “This provides better outcomes, better quality of life and a better dementia journey for all involved.”
A personalized approach to memory care has countless benefits. Here are just some of the major ones.
1. Better quality of care.
A 2020 study discovered that individuals with dementia who received care personalized to their needs had improved outcomes and better quality of care. Residents had fewer hospitalizations, issues like pressure ulcers or feeding tubes and significantly reduced incidences of antipsychotic treatments. In other words, treating individuals as people rather than as symptoms of their disease helped them feel more secure, safer, happier and calmer.
2. Improved cognitive health.
While dementia can’t be cured or reversed, it is possible to slow the progression while also making the dementia journey as fulfilling as possible. A personalized memory care approach takes mental stimulation and enjoyment into consideration. Using information about the individual, a care team can put together a plan of enjoyable activities that are related to a person’s interests, history and hobbies. By adapting activities that allow seniors to continue to pursue their interests, their brains are stimulated – which helps them keep their abilities for as long as possible.
3. Reduced unwanted behaviors.
Because of the way dementia progresses and affects the brain and body, many individuals with dementia can experience unwanted behaviors. This can include wandering, agitation, aggression, inappropriate sexual behavior and more. However, these symptoms aren’t something that just happen – there is always a reason why a person is acting in some particular way. Dementia caregivers have found that redirection therapies and other established non-medical techniques can be used to help reduce these unwanted behaviors and help individuals live a calmer, happier life. By using knowledge of the person, caregivers are able to provide comfort, companionship and security.
4. An active, enjoyable life.
In the past, memory care facilities were nothing like the communities of today and offered little in terms of “lifestyle.” Research has shown that providing socialization opportunities, enjoyable activities, a homelike environment, compassionate care and opportunities for joy can help individuals remain happy, healthy, engaged and uplifted throughout their dementia journey. Personalized care allows caregivers and memory care providers to reach the person within and spark joy each and every day.
5. Improved relationships.
We often say that family members are the “second patients” of dementia. Although the senior is the one living with the disease, the individuals around them are experiencing the effects, too. Personalized memory care allows the senior with dementia to receive everything they need in order to live as well as possible. It also provides opportunities for family members to spend time with their loved one and nurture their relationship as child, grandparent, parent or friend. This provides priceless memories and moments.
6. Improved health.
A personalized approach results, simply, in better health for the individual. By looking at the whole person, treatments produce results that are greater than the sum of the parts. For example, a diet that integrates favorite foods and preferences results in better nutrition, which results in better physical health, which results in better cognitive health, and so on and so forth. Meaningful activities reduce boredom, which reduces stress, improves mood, helps boost cognitive function and so much more.
“As you can see, a personalized care plan simply means higher success and happier lives for our residents living with dementia,” says Cindy. “By meeting each individual’s needs instead of using cookie-cutter care, we’re able to provide a wonderful experience and a fulfilled life for those who call us home.”
Exceptional Care & Engaging Lifestyle
Bridges® by EPOCH at Sudbury provides exceptional memory care in a comfortable and engaging environment. Designed specifically to support those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, our community delivers a wellness-focused lifestyle that respects individual preferences and abilities. Our teams receive ongoing, specialized training so they may help residents to safely exercise their independence in a secure, calm environment.
Dedicated Memory Care
Our expert dementia care and comprehensive services are tailored to meet the unique needs of our residents, wherever they are on their journey with memory loss. Our life-enrichment programs are personalized to residents’ interests and abilities, providing joy and meaning in daily life and enhancing emotional well-being.
Purpose-Built Design
Bridges® by EPOCH at Sudbury is more than a safe, beautiful place to live; it’s truly a home, where compassionate, dementia-educated caregivers help people with memory loss live more fulfilling lives. Our research-based design features soft lighting and colors, non-glare flooring, directional cues, aromatherapy and interactive life-enrichment stations that empower residents to comfortably move about their home with confidence.
Contact us today to learn more.