fbpx

6 Ways for Residents To Stay Connected and Engaged at a Memory Care Community

Friday, October 22, 2021

One thing that connects us all, no matter our age, is the desire to have an engaged, meaningful and connected life. In fact, staying connected and having a sense of purpose actually improve our health – physical, emotional and mental. That need and desire don’t go away, even when an individual is living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia.

“It’s incredibly important for those living with cognitive decline to remain connected and engaged,” says Barbara Harrison, Executive Director of Bridges® by EPOCH at Westwood, a memory care assisted living community in Westwood, MA. “Research shows that an environment that encourages and provides meaningful activities and opportunities can help those with dementia to be healthier, happier and have a higher quality of life.”

Connection and engagement can help those living in memory care reduce stress, improve mood, boost their sense of self-worth, encourage independence and even slow the progression of cognitive illness. In order to ultimately be successful, however, it’s important that connection and engagement are planned for each specific person based on knowledge about their life, history, likes and dislikes.

“A person-centered approach is of utmost importance in all aspects of memory care,” says Barbara. “At our community, our team members build meaningful relationships with our residents in order to tailor-make an experience for them. This doesn’t just provide the best possible care; it provides the best possible life.”

 

Six Ways Residents Stay Engaged and Connected in Memory Care

 

  1. Uplifting, meaningful programs and events.

At Bridges® by EPOCH at Westwood, the life enrichment team creates innovative ways to provide a full life experience through meaningful engagement. By getting to know each resident personally and learning their hobbies, interests, stories and life achievements, each individual can enjoy activities and events tailored to their abilities and interests. This helps increase happiness and raise self-esteem while exercising physical, cognitive and social skills.

 

  1. Mealtimes that are social times, too.

Food plays an important role in so many of our most precious memories. Mealtimes are also a chance to connect, build relationships and deepen friendships. In memory care, residents eat family-style three meals a day, giving them the opportunity to socialize with other residents and the staff. It’s a perfect blend of nutrition for the body, mind and soul.

 

  1. A focus on health and wellness.

Staying as healthy as possible is a great way to improve quality of life and interact with the world around you. In a memory care community, there is an overall focus on wellness, with physical wellness playing a big part. Low-impact fitness classes, swimming, personal training and other physical activities are available, alongside personalized assistance to help residents exercise their bodies in a safe, comfortable manner.

 

  1. Customized therapies.

Besides medication, there are many ways to help improve the health and wellness of those with memory loss – many of which involve engagement and connection. Therapies like art therapy, pet therapy, music therapy and others involve engaging with others to help express, spark memories, create joy and live in the moment.

 

  1. Plenty of opportunities to socialize.

It sounds rather obvious, but one of the biggest ways that memory care helps residents stay engaged and connected is by simply presenting lots of opportunities for them to socialize. A community is just that – a community filled with other residents, staff members and visitors. It’s easy to connect with others when you’re sitting with them across the dinner table, doing an art activity together or simply sitting in the library.

 

  1. A focus on independence.

Finally, memory care is all about celebrating the remaining abilities the person has and allowing them the opportunity to be as independent as possible. For example, communities are designed to be secure while supporting the unique issues of those with dementia. This gives residents free access to everything in the community, allowing them to schedule their days as they want. This independence and ability to make their own choices provide strong engagement and happiness.

 

The one thing we all want for our loved ones is for them to be happy, healthy and cared for. A memory care assisted living community can provide so many benefits to your loved one with dementia, providing them the quality of life they deserve – and the peace of mind you need.

 

Exceptional Care & Fulfilling Lifestyle

Bridges® by EPOCH at Westwood provides memory care assisted living that is comfortable, positive, safe and engaging. Exclusively dedicated to caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, our community offers a wellness-focused lifestyle that promotes dignity and individual preferences. Our memory care professionals receive specialized and ongoing training designed to help residents maximize their independence in a secure, calm environment – enriching the lives of our residents every day.

 

Inspiring Programs for All Stages

No matter what level of care or service is needed, residents and families can rest assured that our care and life-enrichment programs address the various stages of memory decline, allowing residents the opportunity to age in place.

 

Dedicated Memory Care

At Bridges® by EPOCH at Westwood, our services are designed to recognize and adapt to the unique challenges and individuality of each resident while ensuring comfort and safety. We believe in a full-service approach to care and provide a high level of personalized attention for residents in various stages of memory loss.

Bridges® by EPOCH is New England’s largest stand-alone memory care assisted living provider.

 

Contact us today to learn more.

Learn More About Bridges®

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Loading...