Dementia-specific programs are those that provide person-centric care. When you move into a memory care facility in Hollins, VA, you can expect to receive care that is tailored to your abilities, preferences and changing needs. Comprehensive assessments are conducted to understand your behavior and assess effective communication tactics. The success of dementia-specific programs is highly reliant on the quality of care provided by community staff. At our community, our specially trained caregivers are available to help you live an independent and fulfilling lifestyle.
Memory Care Program Fundamentals
A dementia-specific care plan builds upon your abilities and incorporates strategies that allow residents to remain functionally independent for as long as possible. Our Memory Care program utilizes the latest science-based care tactics to understand your cognitive and physical health and sensory, decision-making and communication capabilities. Your cultural and spiritual background will also be considered when we tailor our services to your condition.
Loved ones can help our staff piece together each resident’s life story by sharing more in-depth background information on a resident’s past experiences, habits and daily routines.
Pain Management
Pain is often under-recognized and undertreated among dementia patients due to cognitive and communication impairment. Our community offers routine health screenings so that we can better identify our residents’ medical conditions. The necessary pain management strategies can then be implemented quickly. These include physiotherapy sessions or physical activities that promote relaxation, such as chair yoga. Scheduled transportation is also available to bring our residents to their medical appointments.
Purposeful Dining Experiences
A side effect of dementia is reduced food and fluid intake, in part due to declining sensory perceptions. To counter this, our in-house chefs work with nutritionists to plan tailored menus based on your dietary requirements. This is so that you receive the right nutrition for your physical and mental well-being. We also aim to increase residents’ attention to food through visual cues. Meals are served in our calming and interactive dining environment which features auditory and sensory cues to enhance appetite.
Social Engagement
Meaningful social interactions help memory care community residents build a sense of dignity and self-esteem. Initial assessments help our staff determine your capacity for physical movement, mental stimulation and interest in social interaction. We then design and recommend activities that are suited to your preferences, such as therapy dog visits or trivia and wine nights. Other than organized activities, informal interactions such as chatting with staff and other residents can also establish security and enjoyment.
Designing a Safe, Conducive Environment
The physical environment of a memory care community can encourage and support independence. A good environment would have recognizable indicators that lead to common areas such as dining rooms, activity halls and restrooms. Community spaces should also be reminiscent of a home instead of a hospital, with opportunities for privacy, entertainment and relaxing stimuli. The best communities would also offer residents unrestricted access to outdoor spaces. In our community, safety is always accounted for with guarded entryways and surveillance systems.
