Alicia Seaver is the Vice President of Memory Care Operations for EPOCH Senior Living and a Certified Memory Impairment Specialist. Every month, she addresses a specific issue related to memory and memory care. If you’re interested in hearing about a particular topic, please send a note to [email protected].

Q: My father is at the point where he needs assistance to live safely, but moving into a memory care community during winter – plus with COVID-19 worries – seems risky. Should we wait until spring to move him into a community?

A: This certainly is an unprecedented and worrying time, especially if you’re the loved one of someone with memory loss. Winter comes with a lot of difficulties and concerns, from snowstorms to ice to power outages and more.

The short answer? No. Actually, now is a great time to move your loved one into a memory care community. Since the beginning of the pandemic, we’ve been hoping for a safe, successful vaccine … and now it’s here! We are pleased to share that Bridges® residents and team members will receive Phase 1 of the COVID-19 vaccine in partnership with CVS Health. But that’s not the only reason.

Let’s start with the basics of reducing overall winter worries. Moving into a community means no more home maintenance. No more shoveling snow, worrying about power outages, dealing with transportation issues, navigating through icy roads … not to mention the issues that might arise if you can’t get to your loved one during a winter storm, or if there’s an emergency.

Moving into a community also means helping avoid or mitigate the winter blues. Winter is incredibly hard for older adults for many reasons: the shorter days, the bad weather, the inability to easily go out and see friends and family, etc. At Bridges® by EPOCH memory care assisted living communities, there is a caring team of professionals around 24/7 to provide engaging programs that stimulate senses, keep residents physically and cognitively active, provide social support, and everything in between. This daily activity means that our residents are less socially isolated, have less risk of seasonal depression, anxiety and unwanted behaviors, and are also physically safer since they don’t have to brave the ice and snow.

Of course, we would be remiss if we didn’t discuss the safety of being in a dedicated memory care community during COVID-19. As I mentioned before, this is a very scary time – but I couldn’t be more proud of the way Bridges® by EPOCH has handled it. Throughout 2020, they have truly risen to the occasion to provide a secure place for those with memory loss to live … now, more than ever.

Older individuals, especially those with dementia, are at heightened risk of developing complications due to COVID-19. Bridges® by EPOCH has been ahead of the challenge from the beginning, having already stringent guidelines for health and safety. They’ve added to their safety measures to incorporate CDC-recommended virus-prevention guidelines such as:

• Intensive cleaning and disinfecting of common areas
• Ongoing, recurring COVID-19 testing
• Screening process for all visitors and employees, including vital health statistics, questions about symptoms, travel, exposure, etc.
• Dedicated team members in each household who can quickly spot changes in health
• Wearing of personal protective equipment (PPE) with ample supply
• Enhanced move-in procedures for the safety of all residents

While, at first glance, it may seem like staying at home would be the safer option for older adults, I would encourage you to consider who may come into your loved one’s home at this time … and who your loved one may be coming in contact with, both inside and outside their home. Do you know if the people they’re in contact with are taking preventative measures to reduce the risk of contracting or spreading COVID-19. Maybe? Maybe not? It’s hard to say, but we can say with confidence that, at Bridges® by EPOCH, we are taking every precaution to keep our staff – and thus, our residents – as safe and healthy as possible.

Our preparedness and strict adherence to our procedures have given our families peace of mind even in these uncertain times. If you’ve been wondering whether a memory care community is the right choice for your loved one at this particular time, I would encourage you to contact our communities and ask for yourself about the precautions we’re taking. We know this is a difficult time. We know that it can be hard for both you and your loved one. It is our honor and responsibility to care for those who rely on us. We are working hard to ensure the safety of our residents, and we would be happy to show you firsthand how we’re helping improve lives and enhance the quality of life for all those who call our communities home.

Enhancing Quality of Life

Bridges® by EPOCH communities have been developed from the ground up to anticipate, meet and exceed the needs of our residents and their families. Our team of remarkable people, the exceptional care and services we offer and the purposeful design of our buildings all combine to create the most rewarding, secure and nurturing lifestyle possible for our residents.

We understand the concern families feel about ensuring quality of life for loved ones. That’s why, at Bridges® by EPOCH, we offer a wellness-centered lifestyle that focuses on reinforcing individual strength, so residents enjoy heightened confidence and self-esteem. Ultimately, we provide everything residents need to thrive and rediscover a life with purpose.

Inspiration for Success

At our Bridges® by EPOCH communities, we work closely with families to gain necessary insight and deeper understanding into the lives of our residents upon admission. With this initial information, along with what our exceptional team members learn about our residents each and every day, we are best prepared to provide highly individualized programming for our residents.