September 27, 2024
As Alzheimer’s disease and dementia continue to impact millions globally, the demand for specialized memory support has become increasingly important. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s accounts for 60% to 80% of dementia cases. It is a progressive disease that leads to memory loss, confusion, and behavioral changes.
The challenges of navigating this condition can be overwhelming for individuals and families.
Immanuel’s memory support communities: Safe and nurturing environments
Immanuel’s memory support services are available across several communities, including Lakeside and Pacific Springs in Omaha, The Landing and Yankee Hill Village in Lincoln, and Copper Shores Village in Des Moines. Each community is designed to address the specific needs of individuals living with dementia or Alzheimer’s, offering secure and comforting environments with 24/7 care from expertly trained staff.
Deanna Garcia, Retirement Living Consultant at Pacific Springs, emphasized the importance of collaboration between staff and residents’ families during the transition process. This approach ensures a smoother transition into memory care, reducing stress for the resident and their loved ones.
“Our Care Navigation team, retirement living consultant, executive director, executive assistant, and assisted living supervisor all work hand-in-hand with residents and their families if a current resident transitions to other levels of care within our community,” Deanna said. “We help pull in resources to assist with physically moving belongings, as well as creating a detailed plan about what the events of moving day will look like for our residents to ensure them minimal stress and anxiety.”
Deanna also said families and residents are encouraged to be key players in this process, and we support their preferences and requests.
“With ongoing communications and detailed timelines, we leave little room for error,” she said. “The assisted living supervisor connects regularly with the resident’s physicians to ensure that care begins the minute someone transitions to assisted living or memory support.”
At Copper Shores Village, Executive Director Tabitha Bleich shares a similar philosophy, adding that families are also given the opportunity to tour the memory support community. They can spend time in the space before their loved one moves in, allowing them to understand the environment better and feel more comfortable with the transition.
“Our goal is always for residents to age with dignity and safety, so we ensure these meetings are individualized with their plan of care and meet the needs of both residents and families,” Tabitha said.
Immanuel’s care philosophy extends far beyond safety and security. At the core of its approach is person-centered care, where each resident receives a personalized care plan tailored to their unique needs, preferences, and life story. This level of customization ensures that residents feel respected and valued, maintaining a sense of dignity and independence through all stages of the disease.
Engaging activities that foster connection and joy
Immanuel’s memory support programs incorporate engaging activities such as art and music, memory-enhancing games, and nature walks. These activities are essential to cognitive stimulation, enhancing residents’ well-being while offering joy and purpose. These activities create opportunities for residents to express themselves, engage with others, and remain active participants in their daily lives.
“Pacific Springs has a highly engaged interdisciplinary memory support team focusing on the strengths, needs, and interests of people in memory care,” said Cameo Rogers, Immanuel’s Corporate Life Enrichment Manager.
Copper Shores Village, for example, offers outdoor spaces that allow residents to connect with nature. Residents can either tend to the community’s sensory gardens or enjoy time outside in a safe, accessible environment. These activities promote emotional and cognitive health while ensuring residents remain connected to the world around them.
A philosophy of compassion and expertise
At the heart of Immanuel’s memory support programs is a philosophy of “Meaningful Connections.” This approach emphasizes building therapeutic relationships by focusing on each resident’s strengths and personal history.
“We seek to understand each person’s life story,” Cameo said. “We use that information to create connections with others.”
At Pacific Springs and The Landing, these life stories are incorporated into the resident experience in various ways, such as displays of pictures and personal histories next to each resident’s door. These efforts allow staff to engage with residents on a deeper, more personalized level, creating a true sense of community.
“The life stories are so meaningful to our staff and visitors. It makes connecting with residents natural and genuine if we can tap into their interests and history,” Deanna said.
This strength-based approach aligns with best practices established by the Alzheimer’s Association. Cameo said Immanuel continually evolves its programs to reflect the latest research in dementia care.
To maintain the highest standard of care, Immanuel offers the Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Care seminar every quarter to ensure all employees are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to provide empathetic, high-quality care.
Because of this commitment to education and training, Immanuel now boasts 50 nationally certified dementia practitioners on staff, with nearly 100 staff from various locations and departments across Immanuel completing the local training since January 2024.
“We’ve had a lot of success stories where staff have felt more confident in their work after training,” Cameo said. “Some have even applied these skills in their personal lives to help a family member with Alzheimer’s.”
Family involvement and education: A key component of care
One of the most significant aspects of Immanuel’s memory support philosophy is its emphasis on family collaboration. Families are encouraged to stay actively involved in their loved one’s care through regular care conferences, family events, support groups, and educational resources.
For example, Immanuel utilizes the software platform LifeLoop to keep families informed and maintain active communication about their loved ones’ engagement in our memory support communities.
This close collaboration ensures families feel supported and remain key players in their loved one’s care.
Tabitha shared how Copper Shores Village keeps families engaged: “The team offers care conferences with families as frequently as they would like, keeping an open line of communication and collaborating on residents’ preferences and life stories.”
“Our goal is always for our residents to age with dignity and safety, so we ensure these meetings are individualized with their plan of care and meet the needs of both our residents and families,” Tabitha added. “They can tour the memory support area and spend some time for a meal or activities so they can know what to expect.”
However, families may struggle to understand the full impact of dementia.
“There is not enough education for families on what the disease actually looks like,” Cameo said. “It’s one thing to read about it, but until someone sits you down and explains how it’s going to change your relationship, it’s difficult to understand.”
To address this, Immanuel offers resources to help families better understand how dementia affects cognition, communication, and relationships. Families are encouraged to focus on meaningful moments with their loved ones, emphasizing presence over conversation.
“It’s not so much about the person remembering all the details of the event,” Cameo said, “it’s just about being together.”
Adapting to evolving needs
As dementia progresses, communication and care strategies must be continually adjusted to meet residents’ evolving needs. Immanuel’s team is skilled at recognizing these changes and adapting their approach.
“There are times when a person isn’t able to express their needs verbally, so they interact with the world in different ways,” Cameo said. “Our staff has been trained to stay curious and ask questions rather than making assumptions about behavior.”
Family caregivers also face the challenge of adjusting how they interact with their loved ones. Cameo offered some practical advice: Be patient.
“You might have to wait seven, 10, 12 seconds for someone with cognitive changes to process what’s being said,” she said. “It’s easy to want to jump in and do things for them, but the most helpful thing you can do is wait and encourage them to do as much as they can.”
Frequent reassessments help Immanuel ensure that each resident’s care plan is updated to reflect their current needs. For example, Pacific Springs completes assessments at least every six months to track changes in residents’ conditions and adapt care accordingly.
A place of compassion and expertise
Choosing a memory support community is one of the most important decisions a family will make. Both the senior and their loved ones will learn new ways to connect and navigate the journey together. Immanuel’s memory support programs offer a holistic approach to dementia care, combining expert staff, engaging activities, and personalized care plans to ensure that residents live with dignity and joy. At the same time, families can have peace of mind in knowing their loved one is getting the care they need in a loving, supportive, and comfortable environment.
For more information about how Immanuel’s memory support services can make a difference, visit alz.org or explore our offerings at Immanuel.com.
