News Archives | Page 28 of 44 | Anthem Memory Care

March is National Nutrition Awareness month, which puts a much-needed focus on the foods we eat and what those foods do to help or hinder our physical, cognitive and emotional health. For individuals living with dementia, nutrition holds special importance, in that we now are more aware of the power of nutrients to optimize cognitive health. So, infusing diets with these nutrients can make a difference in how well an individual can retain mental acuity, memory and other areas of health as they relate to cognition.

What are these nutrients and how can those of you caring for loved ones with dementia ensure that they receive the benefits of them?

The Alzheimer’s Association has published guidelines specifically geared to support those living with dementia and help them gain optimum nutritional value in the foods they eat.

Here are a few things to keep in mind that we hope you will find useful:

Not all fats are created equal. Limit foods that are high in saturated fats and cholesterol, such as butter and shortening. Avocados, fish and walnuts, however, are a source of healthy fat.
Satisfying the sweet tooth naturally. Refined sugars are the culprit here, often found in processed foods (donuts, pop-up pastries, etc.). While they are chocked full of calories, they lack vitamins, minerals and fiber. Often a juicy piece of fruit or drizzling a bit of honey over cereal can go a long ways towards satisfying the desire for something sweet.
Less salt, more taste. High quantities of salt can throw the body off balance, and it is known to raise blood pressure. Try substituting fresh herbs and spices to make meals more appealing.
Balance, balance, balance! Physician-approved programs such as the Mediterranean Diet provide a balanced variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, dairy and lean protein. Your loved one’s physician or nutrition can help you tailor a diet to their dietary needs and preferences.

Individuals with dementia, especially in the mid to later stages of the disease, can quickly become overwhelmed with having too many food choices, immobilizing them and leading to either not eating or reaching for a fast and easy (and often not healthy) food choice. They may also simply forget to eat or believe they have already had a meal. All of these issues can lead to malnutrition, lacking key vitamins and minerals their bodies need to function properly.

If you are caring for a loved one who lives with dementia, take the time to evaluate their daily food intake. Take notes of what they eat, along with what their taste preferences are. Then you can begin to design a daily menu that will be appealing to them, while satisfying their daily nutritional needs.

For family caregivers of loved ones with dementia who live remotely, these have been especially challenging times. Not only has the pandemic made travel more difficult, it has managed to add to the already high anxiety and stress levels felt by family members who cannot be with their loved ones during these times.

If you have an aging parent or other loved one who has been recently diagnosed with dementia and are not able to live close to them, it’s important to know that there are things you can do to be better prepared to care for them.

Here are three tips for long distance caregivers to help narrow the distance gap between you and your loved one:

Make sure you have all necessary documents. That includes medical information (medications, dosages, etc.), doctors, specialists and other professionals who interact with your loved one. If you haven’t done so already, make sure that you or a trusted family member has been granted Power of Attorney by your loved one. This is essential to properly look after their best interests.
Build a strong local support network. Do you know your loved one’s neighbors? Now is the time to reach out. Make an effort to connect with them and exchange phone numbers and email addresses. Neighbors and other local friends can become valuable allies in helping to keep your loved one safe and healthy.
Use available technologies to keep in touch. Fortunately, especially since the pandemic hit, technology has continued to grow, both in capabilities and accessibility. Make sure you are familiar with the latest offerings and understand which ones might be helpful for your loved one to access all the people and resources they need.

At Anthem Memory Care communities, our residents keep in close touch with family members tablets and other technologies to connect and visit virtually. The resident shown above is enjoying a lovely guitar serenade from a family member during a meal at Chelsea Place Memory Care in Aurora, Colorado.

Finally, consider reaching out to memory care communities local to your loved one. While you may not be ready yet to make decisions about memory care, they should have resources to help you connect to services you need today. Our staff at Anthem Memory Care communities is always available to talk with you, provide local information and help you prepare for the journey ahead.

While you may be physically removed from your loved one, being organized with all the documents and information you need and using the many resources available to you can help enormously. And remember, we’re always here to help!

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Recently, members of Boy Scout Troop 64 in Glenview, Illinois took their snowman-making talents to Emerald Place Memory Care. The result was a virtual village of snow people strategically located in front of the windows of delighted residents.

“Everyone needs a little bit of happiness; a little bit of light in their lives,” one of the scouts told the local Chicago CBS reporter who covered the project.

You can watch the full CBS coverage here:

https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2021/02/20/boy-scouts-snowmen-glenview-memory-care-center

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When Mia walks through the doors of Chisholm Place Memory Care in Wichita Kansas, everyone smiles.

Mia is a German Shepherd mix and an official therapy dog, loved by just about everyone she comes into contact with. And there is a good reason for this. Animals bring with them a natural form of therapy that seldom fails to bring out smiles and laughter. This is especially true for those living with dementias, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Many of our own residents have owned pets at one time or another in their lives. Engaging with animals can often spark a memory or too, along with the joy of the interaction itself.

That is one of the reasons our Anthem Memory Care communities work with local animal therapy organizations to bring these wonderful 4-legged visitors through our doors.

Karin Winegar, author of “Saved: Rescued Animals and the Lives They Transform” once remarked that “The human-animal bond bypasses the intellect and goes straight to the hear and emotions, and nutures us in ways that nothing else can.”

While this is certainly true, there are more tangible benefits of those interactions as well. To name a few:

Improved physical health: Positive interaction with gentle animals can have a calming effect and, according to studies cited by the Mayo Clinic, has been known to actually reduce blood pressure and boost the immune system.
Reduced anxiety: Petting a dog or cat creates in individuals a sense of caring and purpose which can reduce anxiety and increase a sense of wellbeing.
Increased socialization: When an animal is in the room, engagement is increased, not only with the animal, but others as well. We have found that our animal visitors help connect our residents to our staff and visiting family members.

We’d like to share with you just a few of those interactions:

Lily the cat gets love from a resident of Willowbrook Place Memory Care in Littleton, Colorado.

Here’s Mia, basking in some TLC from a staff member and resident of Chisholm Place Memory Care in Wichita, Kansas.

This sweet Poodle mix is dressed for the holidays at Porter Place Memory Care in Tinley Park, Illinois.

Residents of Vineyard Place Memory Care in Murrieta, California, enjoy the occasional goat visit. And why not? They are clean and very sociable!

If you are caring for an aging loved one who struggles with dementia, consider bringing a trusted family dog or cat in for a short visit. Of course, it’s important to make sure that the animal is well behaved and clean, both key to making the visit a positive one. You may be surprised, when a beloved pet walks through the door, how quickly your loved one’s eyes light up. Animals just have a way of doing that, we’ve found.

Dr. Edward Creagen of the Mayo Clinic once remarked about the value of animals, saying “If pet ownership was a medication, it would be patented tomorrow.” We certainly agree!

(The header image is of “Amos” with a resident of Willowbrook Place Memory Care.)

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Residents and staff of Chelsea Place Memory Care in Aurora, Colorado got together with family and friends to hold a Valentine’s Day car parade. Staff lined up outside the front entrance and residents watched from the safety and warmth of the lobby as a steady stream of brightly decorated cars made their way past the enthusiastic group. (The header image is courtesy of CBS, Denver)

The parade was covered by the local CBS channel in Denver as well as The Sentinel, the area’s local paper. You can watch the video here:
https://denver.cbslocal.com/2021/02/16/aurora-regis-jesuit-car-parade-seniors/

Residents and staff of Grace Point Place are always looking for ways to give back to the greater community. Recently the residents made dozens of beautiful valentines to give to the local Oak Lawn fire department. They were surprised and thrilled to receive them.

The event was covered by the local CBS station in Chicago. You can watch the video here.

https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2021/02/09/grace-point-place-memory-care-residents-make-valentines-for-first-responders-and-theyll-be-receiving-valentines-too

The long, cold months of deep winter can be especially challenging for those living with dementia. If you have a loved one with dementia, especially if they live alone, these challenges are even greater. Why is this? There are several reasons. Here are a few:

Sundown syndrome. Did you know that the shorter winter days can exacerbate the condition known as “sundown syndrome”? This syndrome can bring on a state of extreme anxiety as each day transitions from daylight to evening and shadows are cast, before turning on lights.
Depression. The lack of sunshine and natural vitamin D can lead to a state of depression known as Seasonal Affective Disorder or “SAD”.
Lack of sleep. The winter months can also disrupt our natural circadian rhythm due to confusion experienced with the reduced daylight hours. This can be especially detrimental for those who live alone and find themselves going to bed earlier than usual, due to diminishing daylight.
Lack of exercise. Spending more time indoors and the lack of invigorating fresh air can lead to a reduced desire to move around and get daily exercise. This can, in turn, lead to stiffer joints, weight gain and poorer cognition due to less oxygen to the brain.
Visual issues. More shadows and dark corners can affect visual acuity. Artificial light can create unnatural shadows that can play tricks on the eyes and impact depth perception.

Dealing effectively with these issues begins by recognizing them. Understanding potential reasons why mom seems especially depressed is part of the battle. The other part lies in finding ways to counteract the negative impact of winter months on your loved one’s physical, cognitive and emotional wellbeing.

Here are a few tips to help your loved one get through these months and help improve your own health and outlook as well:

Stick to a routine. Having a daily routine helps minimize stress. Familiar tasks and activities help reduce anxiety and help individuals with dementia feel more grounded to a predictable pattern that they can count on each day.
Let a bit of the outdoors in. Heavy drapery and blinds can make an already dark room even more so. Open up the curtains and blinds during the day to let in as much natural light as possible. Bring in plants and flowers in to freshen up the room.
Keep the rooms warm. Drafty, cold spaces can be immobilizing for someone with dementia. Sitting with a blanket all day does little for one’s circulation or frame of mind.
Spend short periods of time outdoors. Of course this depends on weather, but even a short 10 minute stretch outdoors with some deep breathing can have a positive physical and emotional impact.
Encourage indoor activities. These might include art, puzzles, or flower arranging. Getting involved in a project can refocus the mind on something that is productive and enjoyable.

Residents of Anthem Memory Care communities engage in daily activities, including exercise, art, music and reading to keep them engaged and connected to those around them. We also encourage short walks in our courtyard, weather permitting, because we know that even a few minutes of fresh air has a therapeutic impact during the winter months.

Recognizing the challenges that winter brings to the health and wellbeing of a loved one with dementia and taking steps to minimize its negative impact will make these long winter days a bit easier to bear. And, before we know it, spring will be in the air once again!

(The top image is of a resident of Highline Place Memory Care in Littleton, Colorado showing off her lovely flower arrangement.)

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Most of us remember being back in elementary school and the eager anticipation of getting a valentine from someone in our class. In we’d walk, with a bag full of our own valentines to hand out. And, inevitably, there would be that one valentine we’d receive without the giver’s name, leaving us to ponder who it came from.

The fun associated with receiving an anonymous gift is something we enjoy even in our older years. Whether it is a bouquet of flowers, a “secret Santa” gift, or a card on Valentine’s Day, these small, unexpected surprises have a way of lifting our spirits and adding a little joy to the day.

Can receiving a surprise valentine elevate your mood? Yes!

The staff and residents of Grace Point Place Memory Care in Oak Lawn, Illinois are out to create some of their own Valentine’s Day surprises with their Secret Valentine’s program. Residents have designed their own valentines to hand out to local Oak Lawn fire fighters and other first responders. And, members of the greater community are invited to send valentines to residents to brighten up their Valentine’s Day.

Pleasant surprises, by the way, are good for us, according to Tania Luna and LeeAnn Renninger, authors of “Surprise: Embrace the Unpredictable and Engineer the Unexpected”. The book cites studies that break down what they refer to as the “science” of surprise. Results indicate that a pleasant surprise can trigger the release of dopamine, a chemical that can, according to Luna, stave off bad feelings. “When we invite surprise into our lives on a regular basis, we elevate our mood,” she says. And, according to studies she cites, it helps build a greater tolerance for “uncertainty” which can help reduce anxiety, especially helpful to those living with dementia.

Secret Valentine’s Day cards give memory care residents something to look forward to.

So, there appears to be some real science behind the pleasant surprise associated with receiving a secret valentine. And, for residents of Grace Point Place, the fun of anticipating these secret valentines adds a layer of anticipation to Valentine’s Day and something to look forward to.

At Anthem Memory Care communities, we are always looking for ways to bring joy into the lives of our residents and staff members. If you are caring for an aging loved one, consider surprising him or her with a spontaneous gift of flowers, a plant, or a mailed card or note. You may be surprised yourself at how much joy that simple act brings to you as well as your loved one.

Wishing you a happy Valentine’s Day.

(In the top image, Shirley, a resident of Grace Point Place, takes a break from designing valentines to pose with a lovely smile in front of the Secret Valentine poster.)

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When we think of February, most of us think of Valentine’s Day. So, hearts are on many of our minds this month. But did you know that February is American Heart Month?

Heart health is important for so many reasons. However, you may not be aware that studies have shown a relationship between heart health and cognitive health. So, among other advantages, a healthy heart can reduce the potential for developing dementia later in life.

And, for those who are living with dementia, improving heart health can help optimize their cognition levels as well. Why is this? According to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, there may be a link between the plaques built up in the brain to similar plaques in the heart.

That’s why it’s so important for individuals living with dementias, such as Alzheimer’s disease, to get regular exercise and fresh air to keep their brains oxygenated and working to their best ability.

With that in mind, here are 5 keys to better heart health that all of us should do our best to adhere to:

Move! Your heart is a muscle. By getting regular exercise, you are improving its strength. Of course it’s important, especially for older individuals to get a physician’s advice as to how much exercise makes sense to fit individual needs and existing health conditions. But even movement as mild as walking around an apartment or bedroom, when done regularly, can help.
Quit smoking. This known to be a significant cause of heart issues. Fortunately, today there are plenty of resources available to help those who are committed to quitting.
Eat more heart healthy foods. For example, foods like salmon and avocados are high in Omega-3 fatty acids that reduce inflammation throughout the body. That includes the heart.
Lose excess weight. For those who are 20 pounds or more overweight, engaging in a safe weight loss program can put less pressure on the heart. Keeping fit is more important than ever for those living with dementia.
Try to keep stress levels down. Stress increases blood pressure and heart rate. There are some great natural ways to reduce stress, including yoga, meditation and getting a good night’s sleep.

At Anthem Memory Care communities, our mission to protect, engage and love our residents extends throughout their daily lives, including regular exercise, fresh air, brain healthy foods and an environment that encourages connection with the world around them.

If you are caring for a loved one with dementia, be sure to reach out to the many resources that are available to you. We have some excellent resources posted here to help you on your journey to keep your loved one, yourself and your family healthy.

(The top image is of one of the amazing residents of Chisholm Place Memory Care in Wichita, Kansas.)

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Many of you may recall the startling Brigham Young University study, a few years ago, which found that loneliness and social isolation can be as damaging to elderly adults as smoking 15 cigarettes per day. While that finding may be hard to accept, there are other studies that support a connection between isolation and serious health issues.

Another study conducted by the University of Michigan found that 56% of seniors living alone reported feeling isolated. That’s almost double the percentage reported back in 2018. And, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, almost 13 million seniors currently live alone. So, putting those numbers together reveals a troubling pattern. And the pandemic has only made it worse.

While we are optimistic that vaccinations will eventually lead to opening doors for visits and more physical interactions, we’re not there yet. The CDC warns us that all the safety precautions initially put in place must continue to be followed until we have a sufficient percentage of the population vaccinated.

So, if you are an adult child of a parent who lives alone, you are undoubtedly feeling immense pressure to find ways to stay connected with your loved until the day when you can be there in person. Fortunately, there are things you can do to create and sustain that connection.

Here are 5 tips to get you started:

If you haven’t done so already, consider providing your parent with a smartphone and/or tablet computer. Set it up and program it to make it easy for them to contact you and to connect with them. That way you can share video calls with them. Being able to see your family during these interactions can be more comforting than audio alone.
Share photographs. This can be especially effective if your loved one struggles with dementia. Either send them through the mail or share them in a video call. Old photographs of people and places can often spark memories and great conversations.
Get back to written correspondence. Buy a roll of stamps and start a routine of sending a card or note at least a few times per week. It will give your loved one something to look forward to and keep them focused on something positive.
Watch a movie or classic TV show episode “together” either via a service like Netflix or DVD. Be sure to queue up your watch time together so that you are in sync and communicate over the phone. It takes some getting used to, but can be a fun weekly activity for everyone.
Increase the frequency of your phone calls. If you were calling a few times per week, consider moving to a once-per-day call. Try adding a question to each call to encourage engagement. Here are a few good conversation starters we’ve collected from several resources:
- What do you remember best about [name the city where they grew up]?
- What did you do before they invented the [computer, internet, mobile phone]
- What was your favorite [movie, song, film star, comedian, TV show] when you were young?

Use your imagination to find more ways to stay as tuned in as possible. Encourage input from other family members. Children often have the most creative ideas.

Remember to end each call or virtual visit by reassuring your loved one that the pandemic won’t last forever and that you will all be together again soon. Talk about birthdays to come and plans for future celebrations. You will find that keeping in touch in this way will benefit your own emotional and physical health as well.

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One of the best things about 2021, so far, has been the roll out of COVID-19 vaccines. We are currently in the process of vaccinating our residents and staff members at all of our Anthem Memory Care communities.

Staff and residents are receiving their COVID-19 vaccinations!

It is so important, now more than ever, to make sure you have all the latest facts on COVID-19 and the roll that vaccines are playing in protecting all of us, especially those most vulnerable to the disease. Here are some key points from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) that bear noting:

COVID-19 can have serious, life-threatening complications and there is no way to know how COVID-19 will affect you. If you get sick, you can spread the disease to friends, family and those around you.
To date, all of the COVID-19 vaccines currently available in the U.S. are being shown to be highly effective in preventing COVID-19.
While contracting COVID-19 may offer some natural protection, experts do not know how long this protection lasts. The risk of severe illness and death from COVID-19 far outweighs any benefits of natural immunity. The vaccine will help protect you by creating an antibody (immune system) response without having to experience sickness.
Getting vaccinated yourself may also protect people around you, which is important, especially if you are around people who are at an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
Wearing masks and social distancing help reduce your chance of being exposed to the virus or spreading it to others. However, these measures, alone, are not enough. Vaccines work with your immune system, so it will be ready to fight the virus if you are exposed.
The combination of getting vaccinated and following CDC’s recommendations will offer you the best protection from COVID-19.

There is much more information on COVID and vaccinations on the CDC website, which you can access here.

Regardless of whether you are an adult child, caring for an aging parent, or you are young and live by yourself, it’s important to stay current as to the status of the pandemic and availability of vaccinations. And, don’t forget to do your part to stay safe, by wearing a mask and practicing social distancing.

We are all looking forward to the days when our families can once again come through our doors and hug their precious loved ones again! In the meantime, our amazing caregiving heroes inside our Anthem Memory Care communities continue to follow their passion and honor their commitment to protect, engage and love all of our wonderful residents.

If you have a loved one living alone or in assisted living or memory care, you have probably found yourself focused this last year almost exclusively on checking in on them to make sure they are being kept as healthy and safe as possible. It’s been a roller coaster of a year and the pandemic has done a good job of shaking up everyone’s nerves and confidence in doing simple things like going to the grocery store or dentist.

All this concentration of worry and anxiety has caused many adult children to neglect their own health. Perhaps you have gained weight, put off check ups and dental visits and acquired all sorts of other unhealthy habits that, over time, can have a serious negative impact on health.

Now that we’re into a new year, it’s time to get in gear and do an inventory of where you are today and what you can do to help restore good health to yourself and your family.

A great place to start is by doing a health self-audit. Here are four questions to ask to check in on your own health:

What am I eating? Small adjustments to what we put into our bodies can have major results. Now is the time to re-familiarize yourself with healthy regimens, such as the Mediterranean diet, known to be balanced and full of essential nutrients. Consider reducing the amount of alcohol you are consuming as well. Reduce your intake of high fat, carb-rich “comfort foods”.
How much sleep am I getting? The restorative quality of a good night’s sleep cannot be overstated. Are you following the basics, such as not eating a heavy meal before bedtime, and finding ways to put worries on the back burner?
Am I exercising every day? Exercise increases oxygen to the brain, essential for thinking clearly and maintaining healthy organs. Just 30 minutes of walking or other low impact exercise can help you feel better and reduce anxiety.
How am I caring for my emotional wellbeing? So many therapists now conduct sessions online that there is no longer an excuse to avoid seeking professional help to make sure you are finding positive outlets for stress and engaging in more positive thinking.

At Anthem Memory Care communities we are continuing to take all the precautions recommended by the CDC and are working hard to make sure our residents and staff stay healthy. We feel we are closer every day to our goals of a COVID-free world which only deepens our resolve to protect, engage and love our residents.

Please feel free to contact us at any time to discuss your challenges and concerns. We are dedicated to serving, not only our residents but families as well. Our advice to all families of individuals in senior care is to stay informed, get involved and work on optimizing your own health!

What are your new year’s resolutions? How are they going so far? For most of us, setting new year’s resolutions involves taking a personal inventory of our strengths and weaknesses over the last year and making a vow to be healthier, happier, and better people over the next year. But we often fail to meet those goals. So why should we bother?

An article from Psychology Today makes some good points about the benefits behind having new year’s resolution goals. We agree. Here are just a few of them:

Goals speak, what Psychology Today refers to as the “language of the brain”. They are what sets the human brain apart from other living things, enabling us to not only set the goals, but to potentially achieve them. While most creatures react on instinct, humans can take action based on planning.
Goals help clarify. They provide vision and a direction forward. They even provide a destination, enabling the resolution maker to plan a course into the future.
Goals give us meaning. They do so by creating purpose. It is the reason beneath attempting to accomplish the goal. It is also the desire to do something to improve our lives. Finally, goals help motivate us to take action.

We also believe that goals give us hope for the future; a sense that we are still able, regardless of our age, to better ourselves. That is why, in all of our Anthem Memory Care communities, we work with our residents to make every day purposeful. And we encourage goal setting.

In that spirit, we’d like to share a few new year’s resolutions from residents of Chisholm Place Memory Care in Wichita, Kansas:

...and our personal favorite below...

Knowing our wonderful staff at Chisholm Place, we’re sure they’ll work hard to help their amazing residents keep those new year’s resolutions. And we wish you all good luck with yours.

Here’s to a better, healthier, happier and purposeful 2021!

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Looking back a year ago, who could have known how challenging 2020 would turn out to be? For many, it brought the loss of a loved one or friend due to the pandemic. Others struggled with job loss, depression and other challenges. One thing that binds us all together, however, is the promise of a new year and the hope for better times ahead for everyone.

As we all know, a new year brings with it a fresh opportunity to improve our own lives and the lives of our loved ones. Whether you are caring for an aging loved one or dealing with other personal challenges, here are three key steps you can begin to take today to help you move forward and get 2021 off to a good start:

Get your health in order. Have you let your health go over the last several months due to being housebound, caring for a loved one or distracted by other concerns? Now is the time to attend to your own physical and emotional health. Talk with your doctor about any issues you are having and make sure you are getting daily exercise. This is a good time to add more fresh, healthy foods to your diet. And don’t be afraid to reach out for therapy to help restore your emotional health as well!
Surround yourself with positive people and thoughts. Most of us know who the upbeat people are in our lives and who tends to me more negative. Concentrate on re-connecting with those friends or family members who can help lift your spirits and who have a more positive outlook on life. Make it a point to check in with them regularly and ask for their advice and guidance.
Keep communications flowing with your loved ones. Whether you are caring for an aging parent who lives alone or have a loved one in an assisted living or memory care community, keeping up regular communications with them will not only bolster their spirits, but provide you with greater peace of mind, knowing that you are in regular contact with them. Try writing and sending cards or short notes, sharing a few old photographs or picking up the phone and calling; all are great ways to stay connected.

Finally, as we look ahead to 2021, we’d like to share some of our favorite 2020 images from residents throughout our Anthem Memory Care communities:

Families show off chalk skills and spread love to Chisholm Place residents and staff!

Chelsea Place resident gives advice for students taking online classes!

Grace Point Place staff receives the local Beacon of Light award! Well deserved!

Emerald Place resident puts final touches on basket for their Seniors Helping Seniors program!

Chelsea Place veteran is honored for service to his country during WWII!

Porter Place resident gets a special dinner and serenade to celebrate her German ancestry!

A circus performer visits Harvester Place and shows off his skills with a brave staff member!

From all of us at Anthem Memory Care communities, best wishes for a healthy, happy New Year!

(The header image of the lovely lady with the poinsettias was taken at Harvester Place Memory Care in Burr Ridge, Illinois.)

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This year has brought special challenges for residents of senior living communities and their families who miss having them home for the holidays. At Anthem Memory Care communities, we have focused diligently on not only keeping our residents and staff safe, but also on exploring opportunities to bring joy inside our doors in unique and special ways.

The pandemic has revealed so many heroes as our frontline team has steadfastly demonstrated their loving dedication to our residents. Our residents have reciprocated, sharing words of wisdom and hope. And the outpouring of generosity from our wonderful families is unmatched. Never have the words, “protect, engage and love” been more meaningful as the challenges experienced this year have brought us all closer together.

We’d like to share with you some special images of our residents and staff as they have all worked together to spread good cheer and positive thoughts this holiday season.

Highline Place placed this very special ornament on their tree!

This lovely Greenridge Place resident looks for the perfect spot to hang her ornament!

A fun-loving Grace Point Place staff member plays Santa Claus!

Lucky! This Chisholm Place resident has her own Christmas tree!

The lights are on at Emerald Place! Everyone popped outside for this special lighting ceremony!

Tree trimming par excellence, courtesy of this Grace Point resident!

And we’ve just begun to celebrate!

What are you doing to bring some holiday joy to your loved ones? Remember to send notes, letters and photographs over the holidays to your loved ones who are in a senior living community or are living alone. It means so much to them and will bring you joy as well.

From all of us to all of you, wishing you a Merry Christmas and happy holidays!

(The top image is of our wonderful Chelsea Place staff!)

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