The Retreat at Abingdon at Tradition Introduces Person-Centered Programming in Memory Care

June 15, 2010 - PRLog -- PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. – There are few things more difficult than learning a parent or loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.  But one local retirement community is offering families a person-centered solution to memory care which can improve quality of life for people with brain disorders.

The Retreat at Abingdon, an assisted living and Alzheimer’s care building in Port St. Lucie, Fla., announced this week the introduction of two new programs for memory care residents.  WAVES and OASIS are designed to improve resident engagement, which may have an impact on physical health by improving appetite and sleeping patterns.  The programs are also designed to increase lower-body strength which is a key indicator of a resident’s ability to perform activities of daily living such as bathing and dressing without the help of a health care professional.

WAVES is one of six programs which make up OASIS, the Retreat’s comprehensive memory care programming.  The program’s name is an acronym which stands for “Older Adult Series (for) Individualized Success.” It consists of SWAY, a chair-based exercise class; SANDY PALMS, an indoor/outdoor gardening program; DESTINATIONS, which features community outings and educational classes; MIRAGES, a sensory-driven art program; CRAVINGS, a baking and cooking program; and WAVES.

WAVES combines the therapeutic benefits of warm water with low-impact, aerobic exercise as residents are safely guided through movements by assigned caregivers.  The program recently received national recognition from the Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) as a 2010 Best of the Best award winner, and Executive Director Jonathan Collins believes it’s a unique way to improve outcomes for an underserved population.

“We try to do things differently here,” Collins said.  “Our focus remains on offering proactive solutions and helping the person, not being reactive and responding to the disease.  Several studies have found a connection between moderate exercise and cognitive activity, and increased socialization has been proven to improve mood and self-esteem.”

Although person-centered care is a relatively new term in the long-term care industry, providers such as The Retreat are actively exploring its benefits for residents suffering from cognitive decline.  Once implemented, the term refers to operational improvements which emphasize individual care, flexible scheduling and common-sense solutions to make the resident’s daily life as normal and enjoyable as possible.

About Abingdon at Tradition
Abingdon at Tradition is an all-inclusive, luxury retirement community located in Port St. Lucie, Fla.  The community’s care-free lifestyle helps members live longer, healthier and happier lives by offering an array of amenities including maintenance-free living, daily fine dining, weekly housekeeping, a personalized wellness program and on-site health care services.  Members enjoy access to social activities, tennis, swimming, four golf courses and also receive an associate membership to the Professional Golf Association (PGA) Country Club.  The community is gated and staffed 24 hours a day.  Abingdon at Tradition offers a variety of floor plans including single-family cottage homes and condominium-style villas.  Assisted-living and Alzheimer’s-care rooms are also available for those who need to make a transition from independent living.  More information about Abingdon at Tradition is located at www.Abingdon-Tradition.com.