Memory Care Program Helps Magnolias of Chambersburg Seniors

Nov. 26, 2012 - PRLog -- Like most seniors coping with memory loss, Betty, 80, initially was reluctant to move from her home in Gettysburg to an assisted living community.

   Betty’s emotions ranged from disappointment, confusion and anger during her initial meeting with representatives of Magnolias of Chambersburg, an IntegraCare senior living community with an outstanding Memory Care Program.

    “When we met at her home, she was very angry and very reluctant to leave the home,” said Laura Myers, Magnolias of Chambersburg’s Director of Sales and Marketing. “But working with the family and using my training and the Pathways Memory Care Program, we worked with Betty and developed a great relationship.

    “Betty realized she had to go somewhere because it wasn’t safe for her to be at home alone,” Myers continued. “After we spoke a few times and developed a relationship, Betty came right into our building, started talking to people and felt right at home. The transition was more smooth than anyone thought.

    “Now Betty helps out and is the one who will help set the table or assist other residents. She’s like the mother hen. She’s involved in all the activities and she’s a leader in our community.”

    Betty is just one example of how the Memory Care Program at Magnolias of Chambersburg has helped seniors with memory loss lead more productive lives.

    November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and National Family Caregivers Month. In the United States alone, there are nearly 15 million Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers.

    Magnolias of Chambersburg uses a personal touch to reach out to residents such as Betty and their family members.

    “We are very personalized, very homelike,” Myers said. “We are a smaller memory care program and we’re able to give our resident one-on-one attention. They’re not just another number when they move in. Everybody knows their face, their name and what their previous career and occupation was.”

     The IntegraCare Memory Care Program has six primary objectives:

·        To provide opportunities for meaningful activities promoting quality of life.

·        A focus on remaining skill and abilities.

·        Create an environment that facilitates a sense of belonging.

·        Provide opportunities that ensure purposeful use of time.

·        Support positive behaviors and reduce risk of incidents of negative behavior.

·        Provide an experience for verbal and non-verbal communication.

   “We tailor everything with a personal touch,” Myers said. “We have a personal touch program. We make everything personal where we get to know them. We then tailor the programming to the abilities and strengths. We try to maintain their independence as much as we can.”

    Residents are encouraged to participate in productive work typical of their former lifestyle as part of the Memory Care Program. Family members provide a Resident Profile to assist in this area.

    Recreational activities and memory and sensory activities are integrated into the structured daily routine. The dining services program promotes independence by providing and serving appropriate meals and portions.

     Magnolias of Chambersburg has made a difference to Betty and her loved ones.

    “She has really blossomed in our program,” Myers said. “She was always a homemaker and had several children. She was able to take our activities and everyday life and personalize it for herself.”

For more information contact Laura Myers, Director of Sales and Marketing at Magnolias of Chambersburg, at 717.264.6000 lmyers@integracare.com. On the Web, visit www.integracare.com or follow us on Facebook. Magnolias of Chambersburg is located at 745 Norland Avenue, Chambersburg, PA 17201.