By Lewis McCoy, Chief Operating Officer
As we celebrate Nurses Week, I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for all that nurses in our industry do every single day. This week is an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate their dedication, skills, and compassion. At Anthem Memory Care, our nurses go above and beyond in ways that are vital to the quality of care we provide to our residents.
Nurses are the heart and soul of memory care communities. They are there in moments of joy and moments of challenge, bringing not just expertise but empathy, kindness, and understanding to those who need it most. The work they do is not easy, and the challenges they face are real. They work long hours, with a deep commitment to improving the lives of others.
The bond nurses forge with residents and their families is truly unique, and it’s through the hard work of our nurses at Anthem Memory Care that we continue to create environments where our residents can feel safe, loved, and respected.
Our Anthem Memory Care nurses are the backbone of our caregiving team.
At Anthem, we are committed to providing exceptional care to those with memory challenges, and that vision would not be possible without our nurses. They are the backbone of our caregiving team, and their role is critical in ensuring that our residents receive the highest level of care possible. From administering medications to providing emotional support, from monitoring health conditions to celebrating every small victory, our Anthem Memory Care nurses provide the quality of care that defines who we are as an organization.
To our Anthem Memory Care nurses:
I hope you’ll take a moment this week to reflect on the incredible impact you’ve had on the lives of our residents and their families. We recognize the emotional strength it takes to be a nurse, and we honor the compassion you bring to each person in your care.
You are making a difference that is felt every day, and we are so grateful to have you as part of the Anthem family. I want to take this opportunity to say thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for everything you do.
To all nurses everywhere:
Happy Nurses Week! Thank you for your dedication, your compassion, and your unwavering commitment to the health and well-being of those you serve.
KUSA Channel 9 News in Westminster, Colorado recently covered a beautiful story. Greenridge Place Memory Care resident, Eleanor Milligan and fellow residents held a vegetable plant sale to raise money to help Cassidy Waller, one of their caregivers. Cassidy, a much loved member of the Greenridge team, was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis three months ago.
Eleanor has loved gardening all her life, so she decided to grow a variety of small vegetable plants to sell to raise the funds for a GoFundMe account set up for Cassidy. All of her fellow residents, families, staff and friends helped make it a success. So far, they've raised $300. Kudos to Eleanor for giving back in such a unique and thoughtful way!
You can watch the full KUSC coverage here.
It wasn’t that many years ago that the world of an individual living with dementia felt much smaller. It was one of increasing isolation and disengagement, not only from their precious memories, but from the world around them. Letters and phone calls were often the only connection available with loved ones who lived remotely.
How times have changed. The explosive growth of technology over the last few decades has produced a wide range of innovative applications geared to help individuals to interact and gain control over their environment like never before. And that includes individuals living with dementia.
What are these technologies and how do they help improve the quality of life for individuals with dementia, as well as for their caregivers and their families? Here are some of the many ground-breaking technologies being used today both in home and senior care environments.
Health and safety technologies:
Communication and engagement technologies:
These technologies will continue to evolve in sophistication. New applications will undoubtedly roll out as well. That’s why it is important for family caregivers to keep up to date on what is available and how each might help them keep their loved one safer and more connected.
While technology brings many benefits, nothing can ever replace the human touch.
At our Anthem Memory Care communities, we use the latest technologies to augment and enhance the daily life experience of our residents and staff. However, we also know where our priorities lie. It is the human element of care which will always carry the greatest value. Likewise, it is important for families to understand that nothing can ever replace their own loving care.
Want to learn more about using technology strategically to help your loved one be safer and more connected? Feel free to reach out to any of our Anthem Memory Care communities. We will be happy to share our experiences with technology and resources with you. We’re here to help!
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:
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:
Here are some additional legal resources from The Alzheimer’s Association that may be helpful:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
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.