Alzheimer's and Dementia Care Programs
Care for Residents with Alzheimer's and Dementia: Memories Made for Memories Lost
Many of our senior living communities are designed to care for seniors with Alzheimer's, Dementia and/or memory loss issues. In fact, Emeritus has become well known in the industry for our innovative approach to caring for this special group of seniors with Alzheimer's and Dementia - an approach we call "Join Their Journey®."
Residents are provided* with:
- A private or companion living apartment
- Daily assistance with bathing and dressing
- Three-plus-three meal and snack program, specifically designed for Alzheimer's and Dementia residents
- A warm, friendly, and safe environment with a secured outdoor area
- Personalized activities plans
- Scheduled transportation
* Please check with the individual community for specific amenities and services provided.
The Emeritus Brain Health Program
Emeritus has committed to a bold initiative to lead in the application of brain health across a person's entire lifespan. Our partner in forging ahead with this program is Dr. Paul Nussbaum, a nationally-known clinical neuropsychologist who specializes in healthy aging. Dr. Nussbaum has concluded that a "complex and novel environment" is key to healthy brain development - before we are born, as we grow older and mature, and throughout our entire lifetimes.
Five Key Areas
The Emeritus Brain Health Program consists of five key areas. Within these areas are many opportunities, activities and challenges for creating that "complex and novel environment."
- Social/Emotional - Simply put, we need other people, and we need strong, healthy relationships. Older adults who isolate and segregate themselves are at risk for dementia.
- Physical - running, walking, stretching, dancing - using both sides of the brain and both sides of the body. These activities increase the supply of vital oxygen to the brain and relate to reduced risk of dementia.
- Mental/Intellectual - can be compared to "aerobics for the brain." Keep your mind challenged, active, and not passive. Activities such as board games, learning a second language, travel, reading, sign language and speaking all promote positive brain health.
- Nutritional - Good nutrition is necessary for overall health. Foods rich in antioxidants (such as brightly colored fruits and vegetables) and Omega 3 fatty acids (such as salmon, walnuts, almonds and flax seed) are excellent choices to promote brain health.
- Spiritual - opportunities to engage in deep personal reflection, to further develop your sense of purpose, meaning and hope, and to relax and relieve stress. Sleeping regular hours can promote overall health and relate to better cognitive efficiency.
Brain Health Self Assessment
To find out how healthy your brain is, complete a brain health self-assessment.
Emeritus Leads the Way
As the leader in brain health development, Emeritus is delivering researched-based activities for residents living in our assisted living communities. As the pioneer of brain health, we also conduct brain health education programs with our residents, our staff, their families, and the entire local community.
For contact information and to learn more about Dr. Nussbaum and brain health, please visit his website at www.paulnussbaum.com.
Join Their Journey®
Our Unique Approach for Alzheimer's and Dementia Care
The premise of Join Their Journey® is simple: our specially-trained Alzheimer's and Dementia staff joins residents in their moment, rather than trying to bring them into our reality. Our goal is to get to know each resident and his or her family, so that we can offer just the right level of support for each situation at every stage in the disease process. Through this approach we recognize individuality, encourage choices, and allow residents the dignity to live their lives in a way that feels familiar to them. We also build partnerships with families and loved ones based on communication, education and support.
Join Their Journey® offers these unique components:
- We gather a detailed life story from you, helping us get to know your loved one when they can no longer share their own stories themselves.
- We personalize the environment of your loved one to make their surroundings more comfortable and familiar.
- We offer recreational and social programs based on your loved one's personal preferences and abilities.
- We offer you, the family, educational programs to help you better understand what your loved one is going through and how you can best support his or her needs.
- Through our family-to-family connections, we offer the opportunity for you to share and learn from other families experiencing similar situations, through our Alzheimer's and Dementia support groups, family gatherings and meetings.
- We individualize our Alzheimer's and Dementia Service and Care Plan to help with reminders, redirection, medication, bathing and other specific needs.
More Information about Alzheimer's Disease
Learn more about Alzheimer's and Dementia in our Elder Health Guides section by reading Alzheimer's Disease: An Overview.
