Tuscon, Arizona Alzheimer's and Memory Care

Assisted Living Services

Before a resident has made a commitment to moving here, we set up a “pre-move assessment,” at no charge or obligation to the resident and his or her family. From this, we create a personalized service plan using the Emeritus We Care system, detailing exactly what services will be required and when they will be provided. In fact, every service is defined in minutes, so that the families and residents can see exactly how the monthly rent is calculated. There’s no mystery – it’s all outlined in the care plan!

As we tell our families, our goal is to provide as much care as needed, while helping our residents maintain their dignity and independence. So we always encourage residents to do whatever they can for themselves for as long as possible.

When the resident chooses Emeritus at Catalina Foothills, we contact his or her doctor for medical records and prepare all necessary paperwork. We also help residents move in and assign a volunteer resident or staff person to become his or her “Guardian Angel” for the first couple of weeks. Through this orientation program, we make sure new residents get to know their way around, have the opportunity to meet other residents and can take full advantage of our diverse activities schedule.

Alzheimer's and Memory Care

As an Emeritus community, we utilize the Join Their Journey Program. In short, we join or attempt to reach the resident wherever they are right at that moment to make each day as meaningful and enjoyable as possible. Toward this end, we strive to engage residents in a wide range of activities, including productive responsibilities that let them be part of an active life. It’s not uncommon to see our residents doing tasks, like wiping tables, folding laundry and sweeping floors. It helps give them a sense of purpose.

Of course, we also offer activities designed to promote socialization, such as arts and crafts, games, exercise programs and dances. Recently, we held a Sock Hop, during which the husband of our residents played “DJ.” Residents danced up a storm to music from the ‘40s and ‘50s! We also bring in paid entertainment on a regular basis. Residents especially love any activity in which music is involved. Music is very much tied into the memory system and brings out a lot of nostalgic feelings and memories that residents have long forgotten.

In addition, throughout our community, we have set up life stations – for example, a typing station, golfing station and homemaker station – where residents can stop and reminisce. Life stations are an extremely effective way for our staff to encourage conversation and tap into residents’ memories.

While memory diseases like Alzheimer’s are progressive in nature, we often see significant improvements in our residents’ quality of life. For example, one of our residents named Don was very unhappy living at home. He always tried to leave his house – to go somewhere, but he didn’t know where. So we painted our exit doors with lovely murals. Residents with dementia, like Don, don’t see the mural as a painting covering a door – they simply see the mural.

As a result, rarely does a resident try to open the exit door (which is always locked). For Don, this eliminated that sense of frustration that he felt in always trying to escape home. We worked with Don at his level and helped his family through our monthly support group. Visits with his family are much more meaningful; they no longer try to correct what he says. He has also made a close lady friend, with whom he sits and holds hands. He feels calmer and no longer tries to leave the community – and for Don, that’s a significant improvement in his quality of life.

Learn more about other Alzheimer's, memory care and assisted living communities in Arizona that are part of the Emeritus Senior Living family and read about all of out senior care services.