Families dealing with a loved one’s diagnosis of dementia often find themselves lacking the legal documents needed to pave the way for authorization to make decisions regarding ongoing care and treatment. They are surprised to find themselves locked out of important health discussions with physicians and other care providers. Legal issues may arise that take time to address. So they find themselves scrambling to assemble and execute the documents they need. All this, while their lives are being turned upside down as they struggle to deal with the needs of their loved one.

Legal documents can be very intimidating. Most contain multiple pages full of confusing legal language, requiring multiple sets of actions and notarized signatures to complete. Yet they are an unavoidable starting point towards gaining control over caring for a loved one who is rapidly becoming less capable of handling their activities of daily living and making decisions about their health.

At our Anthem Memory Care communities we speak regularly to family members seeking help assembling all the proper paperwork needed to gain authority over the care of their loved ones with dementia. Many of us have gone through the process ourselves. So we understand how daunting it can be for families.  

The Alzheimer’s Association has published a useful list of legal documents for families of loved ones with dementia. Keep in mind that laws can vary by state, so you’ll want to check for any additional requirements for your state. Here are some key documents to be aware of:

• Durable Power of Attorney (POA). This enables your loved one to name another individual to make financial and other decisions on their behalf when they are no longer able to. This individual should be selected carefully and understand what the responsibility involves.
• Power of Attorney for Health Care. Also referred to as an “advance directive”, this enables your loved one to name another individual to make health care decisions on their behalf when they are no longer able to. These decisions can involve which doctor to use as well as treatments used and care settings.
• Living Will. This is also a form of an advance directive that clarifies how an individual who is physically or mentally incapacitated wishes to be treated when medical situations arise. It is a document that the individual would use to record their wishes involving artificial life support.
• Standard Will. Different from a living will, a standard will simply identifies the individual chosen as the executor, the person who will manage the estate and beneficiaries. The executor has no legal authority while the individual is still alive. A standard will only applies after death.
• Living Trust. This is another way in which an individual with dementia can give instructions as to how their estate should be handled upon death. Many execute living trusts to avoid probate (a potentially lengthy process to distribute the property).
• Guardianship/Conservatorship. This enables the courts to appoint a guardian or conservator to make decisions regarding an individual’s care and property when they are no longer able to. This often occurs when a family is unable to agree upon the type of care needed or there are no family members.
• Portable Medical Orders (POLST). This is a medical document that enables an individual to express their wishes to a medical provider as to what kind of care they wish to receive. They are more specific than a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) or other advance medical directives.

Which of these documents do you need and where do you have choices? The POAs are essential to give you immediate access to medical records and begin making decisions on behalf of your loved one. You will want to review the various wills and other documents. This is why you will need to work with an attorney, preferably one who specializes in elder care. They may identify additional special documents as they help you navigate the process with your family.

There are other documents that are important to have on hand, including the following:

• Medical records
• Bank account information
• Debt detail, including bills
• Property deeds
• Insurance policies
• Military discharge records (if applicable)
• Birth, marriage, citizenship, divorce certificates
• Medicare/Medicaid documents
• Pension benefits

Here are some additional legal resources from The Alzheimer’s Association that may be helpful:

• The Community Resource Finder can help you find legal experts in your area.
• This is an online directory of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.
• You can visit LawHelp.org to find out about free or reduced cost legal aid programs.

If all this feels overwhelming to you, take a deep breath and know that you are not alone. Having to collect documents, organize health records and get your loved one to sign them is the last thing you need right now. And it isn’t easy. Be sure to involve other family members and trusted friends.

Also feel free to reach out to any of our Anthem Memory Care communities. We will be happy to share with you more information and point you in the right direction to get the legal resources and help you need.

(Note that this Anthem Memory Care blog offers insights and tips only. For legal advice you should consult with an elder law attorney.)  

Willow Springs Memory Care is holding a special Show & Shine fundraiser event for the local Redding, California community, honoring the memory of Ross Phipps, a former resident and and firefighter for 39 years at the Anderson Fire Department.

The event will include an array of vintage cars, a sock hop, and a barbecue dinner. The proceeds will go to support the firefighters of Redding Fire Station #8.

The event is to be held on April 21st. Local Channel 12/Action News Now has full coverage and details. You can access the video here.

Everybody got in on the action for an early Easter celebration, including an egg hunt at Porter Place Memory Care in Tinley Park, Illinois. Scouts enjoyed searching for eggs alongside the residents, chatting and enoying their time together. The Easter Bunny even showed up!

Our residents love their interactions with young people and the Girl Scout visits are some of their favorites. Some of our residents were scouts themselves in their early lives or remember participating in their own children's or grandchildren's scouting activities.

The early Easter egg hunt was covered by local Tinley Park Progress. You can read the full article here.

Baseball season is back in full swing, and residents of Liberty Place Memory Care in West Chester, Ohio celebrated in a unique way: Their own ball game! Their favorite team? The Cincinnati Reds, of course!

Everyone had a blast rounding the bases and reminiscing about their favorite teams back in the day. Sharing old memories is so important to individuals with dementia as it sparks engagement and communication with those around them.

The unique event was covered by the Warren County Post. You can read the full article here.

April is National Volunteer Month—a perfect time to ask yourself: When was the last time you gave your time to someone else’s joy or comfort?

If you're like many of us, the intention to volunteer is there, but everyday life has a way of pulling us in other directions. Between work, family, and never-ending to-do lists, it's easy to overlook the powerful impact we can have simply by showing up. Yet volunteering doesn’t require grand gestures. It’s about connection, compassion, and creating a ripple of goodness in someone else’s journey.

Volunteering does wonders for emotional wellbeing. And, there is science to back that up. The act of giving can actually stimulate the brain in positive ways. A study cited in National Institutes of Health, found that MRIs of the brains of individuals who had engaged in voluntary acts of giving lit up indicating more brain activity. Scientists attributed that brain activity to the “warm glow” an individual experiences when they donate to a good cause.

Here are a three key ways in which volunteering helps our brains and emotional wellbeing taken from Points of Light, a global non-profit agency that encourages individuals to volunteer in their local communities:

1. Stress reduction. The act of volunteering helps divert attention away from self-concern and issues and redirects energy towards helping others. This diversion acts as an outlet for relieving stress.
2. Improved self-esteem. Helping others gives an individual a sense of purpose which helps build a better impression of oneself, leading to higher self-esteem.

• Resilience building. Civic engagement provides an individual with an opportunity to cope more effectively with their own challenges and setbacks. This boosts a stronger sense of mental fortitude.

The act of volunteering and giving back is a win-win for residents and their communities.

We hear often how engaging in charitable acts can benefit those who serve more than those served. Many of our Anthem Memory Care residents can speak to that, having been active volunteers in their earlier lives. As a result, they have developed a passion to serve, a passion that even dementia can’t erase.

Giving back is a pure “win-win” opportunity for individuals with dementia that our communities recognize and celebrate. And it is why we look for opportunities for our residents and staff to volunteer their skills, talents, and time to benefit the greater community around them.

Below are just a few of our recent volunteer activities at Anthem Memory Care communities:

Pinnacle Place Memory Care in Little Rock, Arkansas held a special drive, gathering clothing and hygiene items to help those impacted by the California fires.

Residents of Churchill Place Memory Care in Glen Ellyn, Illinois fill Easter baskets for the Metropolitan Family Dupage to distribute to local children in need.

Willowbrook Place Memory Care residents from Littleton, Colorado visited the Lakewood Cat Care Society cat shelter to gift them their hand-crafted cat toys.

Chisholm Place Memory Care residents and staff traveled to their local Target in Wichita, Kansas to hand out rubber duckies, each with a handwritten inspirational message. 

Vineyard Place Memory Care residents regularly help visiting students with their reading skills.

And local students love volunteering their time to help out at our communities. Here, local students help Chelsea Place Memory Care residents in Aurora, Colorado clear away winter debris to prepare the ground for spring planting. 

When was the last time you volunteered? If you are caring for a loved one with dementia, you may be surprised to find out how adopting a good cause can connect them (and you) to a greater sense of purpose and meaning in your lives. Take some time to research the many volunteer opportunities in your community and select one or two that work for you.

Looking for a few suggestions? Reach out to any of our Anthem Memory Care communities and we would be happy to share some of our favorite causes or help you decide on one that will optimize the experience for you and your loved one.

(Our header image shows residents and staff of Franklin Place Memory Care helping to support the Milwaukee homeless population though donations of clothing and hygiene items.)

The Quilt of Valor is a hand-made quilt that is awarded to a veteran as a tangible way of expressing appreciation for their service to their country. This honor was recently bestowed upon Dwight McCarter, a veteran who served in the Army Medical Corp and a resident of Concord Place Memory Care in Knoxville, Tennessee.

The Quilts of Valor is a program started in 2003 by Catherine Roberts whose son had returned from serving in Iraq. She noticed a major improvement in his wellbeing after he wrapped himself in a gifted quilt. That was the beginning of an organization that is dedicated to comforting veterans touched by war.

The Concord Place ceremony was covered by WVLT Channel 8. You can read the full video here.

A large part of our daily awareness is driven by our perception of the world around us and the people with whom we interact. The National Institutes of Health defines perception as “the act of understanding, realizing, seeing, noticing, or becoming aware of.”

Perception is therefore fluid, dynamically adjusting to changes in what we observe and experience and how we process it. Most people’s perceptions fall within the normal range. We recognize our family members. We chuckle at children dressed as ghosts or villains on Halloween, knowing they pose no danger. We can correctly identify the things around us.

When an individual struggles with dementia, however, those perceptions change. And in many cases, the changes are dramatic. The Alzheimer’s Association has written about the changes to perception that occur as the diseased brain’s function deteriorates. We’ve summarized some of these insights below.

How does the brain process perception?

The brain processes information from all of our sensory organs, such as our eyes and ears. It analyzes each sensory input against information and thoughts already in the brain, as well as associated experiences and emotions. That is when perception occurs.

When an individual has dementia, the damage to the brain causes a disruption of these processes. That results in an inaccurate perception of what the individual is experiencing with one or more of their senses. That inaccuracy manifests itself in behavior changes that lie outside normal boundaries.  

Here are four ways in which perception changes impact an individual with dementia:

1. Misperceptions and Misidentifications: When a person with dementia interprets an object or person incorrectly, it can lead to confusion and distress. Misperceptions occur when they see something as entirely different—for example, mistaking tan concrete around a pool for a sandy beach. Misidentifications happen when they confuse one person or item for another, such as believing their son is their husband.
2. Hallucinations. These can occur when the individual perceives something that is not actually present. It can involve one or more senses. Hallucinations can be visual, auditory, or complex. So an individual with dementia may hear noises, see flashing lights, or experience strange visions and illusions that don’t exist.
3. Delusions. Delusions involve the perception that something is true which is clearly false. It can even take the form of paranoia. Individuals may feel that someone is watching them, or that a loved one wants to cause them harm. They may believe that someone who has passed on is still alive.
4. Time shifting. This occurs when the individual believes that they are living at an earlier period in their life. This can cause time and place confusion and disorientation.

As the brain deteriorates and struggles to process sensory signals accurately, individuals with dementia may experience a distorted sense of reality. This can lead to confusion, anxiety, and difficulty distinguishing between what is real and what is not. It is scary for them and for the caregiver. And because their perceptions feel real, they may insist that what they are seeing, hearing, and experiencing is, in fact, correct. This syndrome is referred to as anosognosia and it can take time for families to understand it and adjust to their loved one’s new and very different reality.

How can family caregivers support a loved one experiencing these perception changes?

There are several things families can do to buffer the impact of these perception changes for their loved one and for themselves. Here are some tips:

• Try to keep their surroundings at home familiar and make sure their rooms are well lit. Doing so will help keep them from misperceiving and misidentifying things around them. This can lead to hallucinations.
• Make sure they are wearing their glasses and/or hearing aids and that the prescriptions are kept to date. They need them now more than ever.
• When in a new environment, gently point out what you see around you. You might say, “Isn’t that a pretty plant?”. It will help to keep them oriented. When dining, you might remark on the food, “That chicken looks delicious.” This will help reduce the potential for misidentification.
• Let them know when someone is entering or leaving a room. It will help them avoid confusion.
• Unless their misperception poses a risk, it's best to let small mistakes go. Constantly correcting them can lead to frustration for both of you. Instead, offer reassurance and gently redirect the conversation when needed. Reach out to your loved one’s physician if their perception changes begin creating serious behavioral issues that interfere with their daily lives.  

Proactive communication with family and friends goes a long way.

Family members and friends may begin to feel increasingly anxious around your loved one, unsure of what to say and how to act. Communicating your loved one’s situation and their limitations in advance will make family gatherings easier. Encouraging them to learn more about dementia will help them better understand your loved one’s perception changes as well as behavioral changes that accompany them.

Finally, don’t neglect your own health and wellbeing.

As a family caregiver, it is so important not to neglect your own physical and mental health. Dealing with your loved one’s perception changes is challenging and, without ongoing self-care, can result in higher levels of stress and anxiety, which can lead to burnout.

Feel free to reach out to any of our Anthem Memory Care communities. We provide respite care, dementia support groups, and many additional resources to support your caregiver journey. We’re here to help!

The Albion SC Southern Minnesota Soccer team paid a visit to Cascade Creek Memory Care in Rochester, Minnesota recently. They showed off their skills to the delight of the residents, many of whom have been lifelong soccer fans.

They topped off the visit with a signed jersey and special soccer ball, presented to the community. Everyone enjoyed the day watching the amazing soccer moves and sharing their own memories of their favorite teams.

The event was covered by the local KAAL TV News. You can watch the coverage here.

“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” – Edgar Degas

We love this quote because it captures the power of art to reveal that which makes each of us unique. This makes the creation of artwork especially beneficial for individuals living with dementia.

A good example of this can be found in an article published in the National Institutes of Health, which notes several instances where artists developed a depth of emotional expression in their art after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease that was lacking in earlier work. Many well-known artists have continued to produce fine artwork in the years since being diagnosed with dementia. That, by the way, includes many of our Anthem Memory Care community residents who were commercial artists in their earlier years.

And there are many benefits to engaging in art activities for individuals with dementia, including the following:

• Helps reduce anxiety. Expressing oneself through art can have a calming effect, which can reduce stress.
• Stimulates the brain. The act of working with brushes, pencils, or hands to create art can enhance cognition.
• Encourages socialization and engagement. When creating art or crafting in an art class, an individual is more apt to converse with others and share their thoughts.
• Increases a sense of self-worth. Finishing a piece of art is a purposeful activity which gives an individual as sense of accomplishment which can improve their self-esteem.

At our Anthem Memory Care communities, we celebrate the artist in all our residents. We are continually impressed by the patience and care residents take with art projects and by the pride they show in their finished pieces.

Several of our communities participate in a program called Memories in the Making, a unique fine arts program originally created by The Alzheimer’s Association for individuals with dementia. It offers a creative, non-verbal way of communicating and capturing precious moments through art.

Below are just a few beautiful examples of the artwork produced through this program at Highline Place Memory Care in Littleton, Colorado:

Aren’t these amazing? And this is just a sample!

If you are caring for a loved one with dementia, why not explore some art projects together? The Alzheimer’s Association has some tips to make your artistic endeavors more enjoyable. They include the following:

• Help them get started. Have the brushes or other tools out and ready for use.
• Avoid childish art activities. Keep the project on an adult level.
• Engage in conversation while you work. Ask your loved one what they are working on.
• Take your time! There is no need to complete a project. Enjoy the process.

If you are interested in engaging your loved one in an art project and have some questions, please feel free to reach out to any of our Anthem Memory Care communities. We conduct regular art activities with our residents and would be happy to share our experiences and offer some tips to help you and your loved one experience the joy of creating art together.

(Our header image shows part of the Memories in the Making art display at Highline Place Memory Care. The public was invited in and everyone enjoyed exploring the residents’ artwork.)

Fourth graders from local Cole Elementary in Murrieta, California visited Vineyard Place Memory Care residents armed with their favorite books for a storytime read-along session.

Visits from Cole Canyon students are a regular ocurrence at Vineyard Place that residents and staff always enjoy. Many relationships have grown from these visits which bring positive inter-generational engagement that benefits residents and children alike.

The storytime activity was covered in the local Valley News, which you can read here.

Highline Place Memory Care resident, David Lorenz, worked for 45 years for South Suburban Parks and Recreation in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. And all his years of hard work did not go unnoticed!

Recently, residents and staff of Highline Place hit the road to celebrate David's 82nd birthday. Their destination? David Lorenz Regional Park. You heard that right. The local community named the park in honor of Dave's years serving his communitiy. Some of his co-workers also were on hand for the festivities.

What a great way to celebrate a birthday. Not many can do so with a visit to a park named in their honor!

The event was announced in the local Villager. You can read the details here.

Mary’s day begins with a familiar routine—she wakes up, turns off her alarm and gets out of bed. She takes a shower, washes and dries her hair, applies deodorant, brushes her teeth and gets dressed in a clean blouse and pants. Moving to the kitchen she brews a fresh cup of coffee, pours some juice and enjoys a bowl of cereal. After finishing her meal, she washes the dishes, grabs her keys and heads off to start her day. Later, when she returns home, she’ll change her clothes, prepare dinner, and maybe take a relaxing bath. As the evening winds down, she’ll brush her teeth, wash her face, change into pajamas, set her alarm and get into bed for the night.

Mary is performing her ADLs and IADLs.

Dementia caregivers would refer to Mary’s actions as ADLs (activities of daily living) and IADLs (instrumental activities of daily living). ADLs are the rote tasks most of us perform every day almost without thinking. IADLs involve more complex tasks beyond basic self-care.

For most of us, getting up, using the restroom, calling a friend, buying groceries, cooking meals, and managing our daily lives is something we take for granted. For individuals with dementia, however, IADLS and eventually ADLs will become more and more difficult to manage. At some point, even performing the basic ADLs will become impossible.

Understanding ADLS and IADLs is key to effectively navigating the stages of dementia. 

Dr Tamara Cummings is a dementia expert who works with professional caregivers and, among many other aspects of dementia, advises them on best practices used to determine how the stages of dementia impact an individual’s ability to conduct the basic ADLs. Several assessment tools are used in this process, including the Katz Scale, the Lawton-Brody Scale and the Bristol Scale. The Cleveland Clinic has also published a short description of each ADL and IADL.

First, a quick look at the IADLs.

The IADLs will be the first activities that will be impacted by dementia. As mentioned above, IADLs involve more complex cognitive skills. They include the following:

• Shopping
• Preparing meals
• Communicating with others
• Managing money
• Managing a household
• Managing health
• Managing transportation

Each of these involves a complex set of skills involving orientation of space and time, verbal abilities, organization, planning, and mobility. At some point you may notice your loved one’s bills piling up unpaid, or they are forgetting to take their medications. These early IADL signs of dementia are important to acknowledge and act upon. Early testing can help optimize your loved one’s access to tools and therapies to keep them healthy as long as possible.

The ADLs are more basic and critical to managing self-care.

At some point, your loved one may begin to find basic rote daily personal care activities more challenging to conduct. For family caregivers, this is a time when more rigorous attention and assistance will be needed.

Here are six basic ADLs to be aware of:

1. Bathing. This includes using soap, water and tools to wash oneself, as well as towels to dry the skin. It includes motor skills to stand or sit in ways that enable the cleansing of every part of the body.
   Here is an example of ADL progression with dementia:
   • Bathes regularly and independently.
   • Needs the bath drawn or shower turned on.
   • Needs supervision and verbal or visual prompting.
   • Totally dependent, needs supervision and assistance.
     • Bathing is considered the most complex of the basic ADLs as it requires motor ability as well as cognition. Look for signs that your loved one is not properly cleaning themself or brushing their teeth. Initially, they may need help to be more organized. At some point you will need to assist or have a caregiver come in to help.
2. Personal hygiene and grooming. This includes brushing teeth, putting on deodorant, washing, drying and styling hair, and using clippers for grooming.
   Here is an example of an ADL progression with dementia:Is able to clean teeth/dentures regularly by themself.
   • Can clean teeth/dentures if given appropriate items.
   • Requires some assistance and cues.
   • Full assistance needed. 
     • You may start to notice that your loved one’s hair is unwashed or not properly combed, or that they’re neglecting to brush their teeth or dentures. This could be a sign that they’re having difficulty using their hygiene supplies or remembering to follow their routine. When this happens, it’s important to gently ask if they need any assistance or if they’re experiencing any challenges.
3. Using the bathroom. This includes finding the bathroom, positioning themselves on the toilet, controlling the emptying of the bladder or bowel, and using toilet paper.
   Here is an example of an ADL progression with dementia:
   • Uses the toilet correctly and as needed.
   • Requires reminders to use the bathroom.
   • Needs to be taken to the toilet and assisted.
   • Loses either bladder or bowel control.
   • Loses both bladder and bowel.
     • As your loved one’s disease progresses, they will require more frequent reminders to use the toilet. Over time, they may need to go immediately after meals, and eventually, the use of adult briefs may become necessary. Ultimately, incontinence will occur, requiring additional support and care to maintain their comfort and dignity.
4. Dressing. This includes getting clothes out of the closet or drawer, putting them on correctly, using snaps, zippers or buttons.
   Here is an example of the ADL progression with dementia:
   • Selects appropriate clothing and dresses self.
   • Needs assistance selecting cloths.
   • Puts clothes on in the wrong order, or back to front or puts on soiled clothing.
   • Is unable to dress self, but moves limbs to assist.
   • Requires total dressing, unable to assist.
     • Pay attention to your loved one’s clothing—Is it clean and appropriate for the day? Offering gentle reminders and helping with laundry can make a big difference. Ensure their clothing is easy to put on and take off. Provide two options for them to choose from. Consider organizing simple outfit combinations in an accessible place.
     • As the disease progresses, the focus should be on maintaining their independence as much as possible. A mismatched outfit or a missed button isn’t what matters—what’s truly important is celebrating that they dressed themselves. Encouraging their autonomy helps preserve their dignity and confidence.
5. Eating and drinking. This involves using the proper utensils or glasses, finding the food on the plate and bringing the food or drink to the mouth. Includes the ability to chew and swallow.
   Here is an example of an ADL progression with dementia:
   • Drinks or eats appropriately using correct cutlery.
   • Can drink or eat with aids (e.g. spoon for food).
   • Uses fingers to eat.
   • Needs assistance with eating.  
     • Make sure that your loved one’s utensils are easy to use. Cut up food into small pieces and consider introducing more finger foods that are easier to manipulate.
6. Mobility. This includes moving from one area to another to complete a daily activity. For example, getting from the bed to the bathroom or from a chair to the kitchen.
   Here is an example of an ADL progression with dementia:
   • Can walk and get in/out of a chair unaided.
   • Can walk, but uses furniture or a person’s arm for support.
   • Can get into a chair but needs assistance to get out.
   • Can walk with a walker or cane.
   • Cannot walk and needs help getting in and out of chair.
   • Totally dependent for all mobility.
     • It is important to note your loved one’s mobility issues and make sure that they have the proper mobility aids to ensure their safety. Regular exercise and physical therapy can help.

Understanding IADLs and ADLs will help you meet your loved one’s needs more effectively.

Family caregivers of loved ones with dementia will need to understand what ADLs are, how they are impacted by dementia, and how they will need to assist their loved one with their ADLs in the months to come.

We urge you to watch Dr. Tam’s webinar which outlines in detail all the ADLs and the changes associated with the progression of dementia. She has many tips to help caregivers as well.

Feel free to reach out to any of our Anthem Memory Care communities. We will be happy to answer your questions about ADLs and other challenges that you may be experiencing as you strive to help your loved one live their best life going forward. We are always here to help.

Vineyard Place Memory Care in Murrieta, California held a Masquerade Prom --- an evening of dancing, dining, and the selection of Prom King, Skip, and Prom Queen, Sandy. Everyone had a blast, and it brought back memories of high school proms from back in the day!

All this fun was covered in the local Murrieta Patch. You can read the full article here.

Everyone knows that an apple or banana is a healthier snack than a donut or chips. We all understand that there are nutritional benefits from fresh fruits and vegetables that donuts and chips not only lack but can negatively impact health. As a result, we try to make healthy choices with hopes of having healthier bodies that deliver more energy, fewer illnesses, and sharper mental acuity.

Healthy nutrition is even more important for individuals living with dementia. Dementias such as Alzheimer’s disease affect every facet of human health --- cognitive, behavioral and physical. Eating healthy foods is therefore essential to helping them stay as well as possible for as long as possible. Eating unhealthy foods does just the opposite, potentially speeding up the degree of deterioration and negatively impacting their quality of life.

How exactly does healthy nutrition benefit individuals with dementia? Here are five key areas:

1. Improved cognition. While omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, avocados and other healthy foods cannot reverse dementia, studies have found them to improve overall cognition. They are also good for the heart, which is responsible for keeping the brain oxygenated.
2. Reduced blood pressure. Bananas, potatoes, and leafy vegetables like spinach are rich in potassium which can help maintain healthy blood pressure.   
3. Stronger immunity. Citrus fruits, berries, and nuts are packed with antioxidants to help boost immunity. 
4. Improved muscle and joint strength. Dairy products as well as fatty fish, such as salmon, mackerel and tuna are high in calcium, which helps maintain bone density as well as strengthen connective tissue. Lean protein found in chicken, pork and lean beef helps maintain muscle density.
5. Enhanced emotional wellbeing. Diets that have a balance of whole grains, lean meat, leafy vegetables, fish, and low-fat dairy will reduce inflammation throughout the body and help individuals feel their best, both physically and emotionally.

The positive impact of good nutrition on the health and wellbeing of individuals with dementia is why it is so important for family caregivers to ensure that their loved ones are adhering to a healthy diet.

The Alzheimer’s Association has some tips to help, which we’ve summarized below:

• Keep cholesterol within healthy limits. While it is a good idea to limit their fat intake, it is also important to differentiate bad fat from good fat. For instance, some foods like avocados and salmon are high in omega-6 fatty acids which are healthy. Other fats, such as butter, lard and fatty cuts of meats, are high in cholesterol and may have little to no nutritive value.
• Limit foods with refined sugars. Many individuals with dementia develop a “sweet tooth”. This can lead to binging on sugary foods like donuts, candy, and sodas. Help them opt for healthier options like fruit or juice-sweetened baked goods.
• Avoid foods with high sodium content. Too much salt increases blood pressure. Many processed foods contain large amounts of sodium. Try replacing salt with herbs and spices. If you must use salted foods, look for those with “low sodium” or “lightly salted” labels.
• Avoid alcohol. While an occasional glass of wine may not pose a health risk to a healthy, alert adult, alcohol can negatively impact the physical health and cognition of individuals with dementia. Today there are a variety of delicious alcohol-free drinks on the market. The best alternative, however, is juice or water.
• Encourage a variety of healthy foods daily. It is important to have a balance of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy and protein each day. The Mediterranean Diet has long been recommended by health professionals for its healthy mix of nutritious foods.

Above all, never assume that your loved one is eating properly. As the disease progresses their ability to make healthy food choices will become impaired. They may opt for sugary or salty foods. If they are no longer able to cook, they may gravitate towards processed fast foods. At some point, they may even forget to eat altogether. This is why regular supervision of your loved one’s nutrition is essential to keep them healthy and cognitively engaged for as long as possible.

Here are a few additional resources from the Alzheimer’s Association to guide you through the process of providing healthy nutrition for your loved one with dementia:

• Alzheimer's Association Message Boards. Share food and mealtime tips and experiences with other caregivers.
• My Plate for Older Adults. Gain insights from Tufts University about the unique nutritional and physical activity needs associated with age.
• Swallowing Problems in Adults. Get tips on how to deal with swallowing issues from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
• Meals on Wheels. Learn more about free, home-delivered meal services for seniors.

Feel free to reach out to any of our Anthem Memory Care communities for more tips and resources on healthy nutrition. We’re here to help!

By Lewis McCoy and Isaac Scott

Every memory care community is built on a foundation of compassion, dedication, and love. While beautiful buildings and thoughtful amenities play a role in creating a warm environment, it is those who live and work within it who truly bring a community to life. We want to take a moment to recognize our direct care staff, made up of incredible individuals who devote themselves daily to providing exceptional care for our residents, their families, and each other.

Protecting with Compassion

Our staff are the first line of defense in ensuring the safety and well-being of our residents. They provide more than just assistance with daily tasks; they create a secure environment where residents feel comforted and supported. Whether it's preventing falls, recognizing early signs of medical concerns, or simply offering a reassuring presence, their vigilance and dedication make all the difference.

Engaging with Purpose

Connection is everything, especially in memory care. Our staff understand that meaningful engagement is key to maintaining a high quality of life for residents. From leading music therapy sessions to sharing a quiet moment reminiscing over old photos, they foster joy, dignity, and a sense of belonging. It is their creativity and genuine care that transform everyday moments into cherished experiences.

Loving Unconditionally

True caregivers don’t just perform a job—they form deep, heartfelt bonds with the people they care for. They become trusted companions to residents, sources of comfort for family members, and pillars of support for each other. Their love and kindness create a home-like atmosphere where residents are not just cared for but truly loved.

Hiring for Compassion: The Key to a Thriving Community

The strength of any memory care community lies in its people. Hiring the right individuals—those with a heart for service and a passion for making a difference—can make or break the experience for residents and families. Skills can be taught, but compassion, patience, and kindness come from within. That’s why we focus on hiring those who see caregiving as more than just a job—as a calling.

Here’s to those exceptional human beings who dedicate their talents and compassion to serving memory care residents and who epitomize our Anthem Memory Care mission to “protect, engage, and love”. We honor you.