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Bob Harlan, 85-year-old resident of Chelsea Place Memory Care, recently shared his lifelong passion for fishing with his great-granddaughters during a special fishing trip with fellow residents.

A devoted fisherman, Bob fondly recalls annual fishing trips to Minnesota and Canada with family and friends. He passed down his love of the sport to his two daughters and son, and now looks forward to doing the same with the next generation.

“Fishing is one of those beautiful moments of bonding and legacy between parent and child,” said Molly Lutz, Life Engagement Director at Chelsea Place. “A father teaching his family to fish imparts wisdom, love, and a connection to nature—creating memories that last a lifetime.”

The fishing expedition was covered by Argentum. You can read the full story here.

When a loved one is diagnosed with dementia, everything shifts. Roles that once felt natural—whether as a son, daughter, partner, or friend—begin to change. The person who once guided you, cared for you, and offered their wisdom may now look to you for support, safety, and direction.

Maybe it’s your mom, who always had the answers. Your dad, who fixed everything. Your partner, who shared every decision with you. These are the people who built their lives with strength, independence, and purpose. And now, that independence is quietly slipping away.

This transition—what many call a caregiver role reversal—isn’t something anyone prepares for. It’s emotional. It’s complex. And above all, it’s deeply human.

So how do you come to terms with this new reality? How do you support your loved one while honoring the relationship you’ve always shared?

Here are 7 gentle, practical tips to help make this chapter more manageable—for both of you:

  1. Educate yourself. This is key to understanding the disease and how it impacts your loved one. You will learn that dementia, such as Alzheimer’s, is not a behavior disorder. It is a brain disease. It impacts the neurotransmitters in the brain in ways that inhibit their ability to receive and transmit information. The better armed you are with accurate information the easier it will be to understand your loved one’s limitations and treat them with the dignity they deserve.
  2. Give yourself grace. Feeling grief, anger, and fear are a normal part of role reversal. Nobody expects you to suddenly snap into your new role easily. So don’t expect that of yourself. Many caregivers find it helpful to develop a process of positive “self-talk” to keep them grounded and more in control of their emerging role. Don’t hold yourself to an unrealistic set of expectations. Perfection is not your goal.
  3. Focus on what remains, not just what’s lost. Even as certain abilities fade, your loved one still carries memories, emotions, and a sense of identity. Find ways to connect through music, photos, and shared rituals that spark joy and familiarity.
  4. Treat your loved one as an adult. As roles reverse many caregivers find themselves falling into a “parent/child” relationship pattern, “talking down” to their loved one. An example might be scolding or praising them as an adult would a child. Dementia changes how people express themselves—but love and understanding can still be felt. Speak gently. Use eye contact, touch, and reassurance to foster trust.
  5. Work together as a team. Understand that your loved one doesn’t want their new role any more than you want yours. Having to rely on you for help is as uncomfortable for them as it is for you. Reminding them that you are “on the same team”, especially when things get difficult, will help you find common ground. As team members, you are better able to support each other.
  6. Look for opportunities to laugh together. Family caregivers often tell us that laughter really is the best medicine. And they often find it in the least expected situations, including when things go wrong. Look for ways to share a laugh with your loved one. Laughter is known to be a stress reliever. Yes, your sense of humor may seem far away at this point. You’ll have to work at regaining it. But, as any caregiver will tell you, in time, laughter will become one of your most valuable tools.
  7. Reach out for help and support. When we say “you are not in this alone” we mean it. This is not a journey to be taken alone. Accept the help of family members and friends. Locate a therapist, ideally one who has experience in dementia. Join a support group and attend educational programs.  Consider a short term, respite stay at a local memory care community. That will give you both a break and time to re-charge.

Role reversal in caregiving is never easy—but you are not alone. Every day, you are showing up with courage and compassion. And in that, there is profound strength.

If you’re navigating this transition and need support, education, or just someone to talk to, we’re here to walk beside you—every step of the way.

We encourage you to reach out to any of our Anthem Memory Care communities and ask about our dementia support groups. They are led by professionals and enable family caregivers, like yourself, to come together and share experiences.

Vineyard Place Memory Care residents in Murrieta, California were recently treated to a special Disney tribute with songs performed by local Cole Canyon Coyote Choral. The group, led by Janet Maronde and Cynthia Calvillo-Murray, performed some of the most popular Disney songs, and the residents loved it. “The students sang beautifully and our residents were delighted to hear tunes that brought back happy memories,” Christopher Balmes, life engagement director at Vineyard Place told the Valley News reporter covering the story. “It was a joyful event that lifted spirits and brought our community together.”

You can read the full Valley News article here.

(photo is courtesy of Valley News)

Although it is an emotionally difficult decision, most families of loved ones with dementia understand that the time will come when they are no longer able to provide the level and quality of care at home that their loved one needs and deserves. Preparing them for a transition to a new environment, however, won’t be easy. And the move itself brings its own set of challenges, both logistically and emotionally, as it means removing a loved one from a home filled with memories. Yet it is a necessary step to be taken to provide the level of support required to keep their loved one living his or her best life as the disease progresses.

At our Anthem Memory Care communities we speak regularly with family members who are ready to begin making the transition, but don’t know where to start in terms of preparation and the actual move itself.

If that sounds like you, we can help. Here are ten tips to help you get oriented and prepared, both logistically and emotionally for the transition. We’ve collected them from the National Institute on Aging as well as from our own experience:

  1. Know if it is appropriate to have “the talk”. Every individual with dementia is unique in how they react to changes in their lives. They are also impacted by the level of cognitive decline. Therefore, having a talk with your loved one about the need to transition to a care environment may or may not be prudent. Discussing it with their physician or a geriatric professional first will help you make the right decision.
  2. Be patient with your loved one. Listen to their concerns if they express hesitation towards the transition. Gently reinforce the reasons the decision was made and the benefits the new environment will bring.
  3. Be patient with yourself. Understand that this is a stressful time. Don’t create unrealistic expectations for yourself or your loved one.
  4. Reach out for support. Consult a therapist, gerontologist or dementia specialist and share your feelings about the transition. They will help you devise a strategy to better be able to cope and to help your loved one adjust. Enlist the support of family members and trusted friends. They can be of great help to you in many ways as you begin the transition journey.
  5. Assemble all legal documents. You may want to consult with an elder care attorney in advance to make sure all legal aspects of your loved one’s care are covered. This will include Power of Attorney as well as other legal documents.
  6. Conduct thorough research. As you research memory care communities, make a list of the things that are most important to your loved one and to your family. Be sure to pay attention to reviews. Are they current? Does the memory care provider respond? Visit our Memory Care FAQ page which covers all facets of memory care.  
  7. Review finances. Make sure you are aware of all the costs involved in day-to-day care, from move-in costs to amenities, to specialized care needs. The memory care provider should be totally transparent on this and be open to sharing costs, including the fine print, with you.
  8. Meet with the staff in advance. It is important to become familiar with the staff before the move in. Talk with them about ways to make the transition go more smoothly.
  9. Consider a short stay for your loved one in advance of move-in. Respite care is a service provided by many memory care communities. It enables your loved one to have a short stay (usually about a week) and get a feel for the environment. It provides families with a good opportunity to observe the care environment firsthand before the final move-in.
  10. Be your loved one’s advocate. No one understands your loved one’s needs as well as you do. Voice their preferences and needs. Don’t be afraid to speak up if something doesn’t feel right as the transition occurs. Your memory care staff should be receptive and responsive to your needs.

Transitioning into memory care is a loving and necessary step in the process of optimizing the quality of life for your loved one. It places them in a secure environment thoughtfully designed to meet their unique needs — especially as they transition into the middle stages of dementia.

Our Anthem Memory Care communities understand the unique needs of each of our residents. That is why our nurses, therapists, life enrichment teams, and caregivers are focused every day on helping residents live a purposeful life through engaging activities and meaningful connections with others.

If you have questions or concerns, we invite you to reach out to any of our communities. We’re here to offer guidance, information, and support as you and your family navigate the journey ahead.

Traci Colvin, Executive Director at Highline Place Memory Care, has been honored with the Community Leadership Award at Argentum’s Senior Living Executive Conference.

This prestigious Hero Award recognizes leaders who go above and beyond in creating engaged, supportive environments for both residents and staff. Traci Colvin exemplifies this every day. Her unwavering commitment to resident well-being—especially her transformative care for individuals with complex behavioral needs—paired with her hands-on mentorship and compassionate leadership, has fostered a culture of trust, inclusion, and excellence within her community.

We congratulate Traci for receiving this well-deserved award and thank her for leading with heart, and for reminding us what purposeful, person-centered leadership truly looks like.

You can read the full Argentum article here.

Anthem Memory Care CEO, Isaac Scott, joined a panel of senior care veterans to share insights and perspectives on innovation, collaboration, and a new generation of residents at this year’s Argentum Senior Living Executive Conference.

Isaac Scott noted the importance of value-based care, and its power to support and affect nursing teams. He also noted that residents are coming into communities with higher and more complex needs and the need for senior living operators to take control of their outcomes.

The emergence of AI in senior living was also discussed. Isaac Scott shared examples of how it can be used to handle tasks such as recording sales calls and funneling them into customer relationship management programs to help generate a more thoughtful follow-up by the sales teams. He noted how it can be used to free up staff to be more effective in how they provide care for residents.

You can read the full Argentum article here.

Morningside Senior Prom: They Truly Had the Time of Their Lives!

"The goal tonight is to have the time of our lives," said Frank Trimboli, executive director of Morningside Place Memory Care, in an interview with KSHB News who was covering their annual Senior Prom. And they did! Residents enjoyed an evening full of glamour, delicious food, and lots of dancing to timeless oldies. Theirs was one of many senior proms occuring across the greater Kansas City area at memory care communities, all aiming to create joyful moments for their residents.

You can see the full KSHB News coverage here.

One of the biggest challenges for individuals with dementia is navigating a world that is becoming increasingly confusing and intimidating. While most of us welcome variety and spontaneity in our daily lives, individuals with dementia gravitate towards familiar patterns and routines. There is a reason for this – it helps them feel safer and more grounded in reality.

Many family caregivers, unaware of this, may be exposing them to unwanted stimuli and disruption. While well intended, they don’t realize that their efforts to improve their loved one’s environment may in fact do the opposite, leading to increased stress and anxiety. This is especially true for individuals in the middle stages of dementia.

Why is a routine essential for individuals with memory loss?

Familiarity, structure, and consistency can significantly reduce confusion, anxiety, and frustration, while promoting a greater sense of security and comfort. That is why our Anthem Memory Care communities bolster engagement and connection through structure and routine.

Here are some of the ways we add the value of routines into our communities:

Routine and structure should be empowering, never rigid.

That is why our approach to daily life at our memory care communities is to create a gentle structure that empowers each resident to feel safe, supported, and seen. Through this approach, we create communities where residents can thrive with dignity, purpose, and peace of mind.

Our professional nurses, life enrichment team, and caregivers understand that a steady rhythm to the day helps residents feel more grounded and in control, even as their journey with dementia evolves. That’s why we intentionally design each day around predictable, supportive routines.

If you are caring for a loved one with dementia, we encourage you to reach out to any of our communities. We will be glad to answer your questions, provide resources, and share some tips on implementing daily routines that will your loved one feel safe, protected, and empowered.

(Our header image shows an exercise class adjusted for residents with mobility challenges conducted at Cascade Creek Memory Care in Rochester, Minnesota.)

There was at least one, Fairy Stone. And, yes, that really is her name! Fairy, along with her friends at Concord Place Memory Care, celebrated her 97th birthday with a magical photo shoot, transforming them into dazzling pixies and sprites with the help of Smoky Mountain Hospice of Knoxville, Tennessee.

Fairy Stone is the daughter of a coal miner, one of eight children. The fairy shoot reminded her of her high school days when she was named Prom Queen and featured in the local newspaper.

Events like these are not only fun, but they celebrate residents' lives, enabling them to share their unique stories and what makes each one special. The fairy shoot was covered by the Knoxville Daily Sun. You can read the full story and learn more about the lovely Fairy Stone here.

No one paid much attention to the final score in the inaugural "Swing For a Cure" charity softball game between Chisholm Place Memory Care and Brookdale Senior Living because everyone was a winner on this night. Both teams played hard and with spirit. The crowd in the packed stands was vocal and clearly entertained, and the talents of residents of both communities were recognized as well. One Chisholm Place resident played The Star-Spangled Banner on the keyboard, another (a former minor leaguer) tossed out a ceremonial first pitch, and Brookdale residents were heard singing "Take Me Out To The Ballgame."

Those fighting to end Alzheimer's also were winners. While the donations are still being calculated, we expect to have raised right around $7,000 for the Alzheimer's Association® by the time all the money is calculated.

The event was covered by local KAKE Channel 10. You can watch the full video here.

Who knew that these adorable Nigerian dwarf goats would make such great therapy animals? They are friendly, gentle, and clean which make them ideal visitors for memory care communities. And the residents of Liberty Place Memory Care in West Chester, Ohio love their visits!

Lori Orth, CEO of Dream to Reality Farm recently brought in two adorable baby goats, Peppa and Gloria, for the residents to hold and pet. The result was as expected, pure joy, as residents smiled, laughed and engaged with the animals. The goat visit was covered by the Cincinnati Enquirer and you can read the full story, complete with some lovely photos here.

(photo credit - Cara Owsley, The Enquirer)

Anyone who loves gardening will tell you how working in their garden brings a sense of tranquility that soothes the mind and relaxes the body. The process of working with the soil, planting, and nurturing the plants brings a unique therapeutic value that, while hard to quantify, is undisputable in its power.

Because the therapeutic benefits of gardening feel so natural, you might find it surprising to learn that there is science to back up that feeling of wellbeing it brings. Often referred to as “horticulture therapy”, it can involve everything from planting, to growing, to the simple sensory stimulation flowers and plants provide.

A series of studies cited by the NIH (National Institutes of Health) found that horticulture therapy provides distinct benefits to individuals with dementia. It points out that, “As a cognitive therapy, HT helps clients learn new skills and regain lost skills. It is a restorative technique to improve memory, attention, sense of responsibility and social interaction with few to no adverse side effects.

With that in mind, here are three reasons why individuals with dementia respond positively to both indoor and outdoor activities that involve working with plants:

  1. Reduces stress and anxiety. The simple task of digging and planting helps divert the mind from anxiety producing thoughts. It can also release endorphins, often referred to as the brain’s feel-good neurotransmitters. The result is a level of calmness that is so important to individuals with dementia. Enjoying the fragrance of plants and flowers also has a restorative quality that brings a greater sense of wellbeing
  2. Improves physical health. This is especially true with outdoor planting and gardening. Sunshine is a natural source of vitamin D which helps boost immunity. The fresh air is good for the brain, bringing added oxygen to help optimize cognition and alertness. The movements involved in working with the earth help improve circulation. Collectively, these benefits can even help lower blood pressure.
  3. Stimulates connection and engagement. The relaxation of working with soil and plants helps remove barriers often put up to avoid interactions with others. This is especially helpful for individuals with dementia who may be reluctant to engage with those around them. When gardening alongside others, they often find themselves more open to casual conversation.

Many of our Anthem Memory Care residents have gardened all their lives. They often share stories of special flowers and plants they remember from their gardens. And they take an active role in our gardens, deciding what to plant, shopping for the plants, and doing the planting and ongoing gardening themselves. Planting and gardening is part of our Pathways of Purpose program, which gives everyone an opportunity to engage in meaningful activities that increase self-esteem and an ongoing sense of purpose.

If you are caring for a loved one with dementia, especially if they once enjoyed gardening, try reintroducing it to them in a gradual way. You might start with some light garden maintenance, watering the plants and clearing out some weeds. If outdoor gardening is not possible, clear off a table and bring in some small plants and a planter. You may be pleasantly surprised at how relaxing it is and how much easier it is for both of you to connect with each other.

That wonderful feeling of connection is one of the reasons why all of our Anthem Memory Care communities have garden areas and planters. We love to work alongside residents each spring to plant everything from flowers to vegetables, nurturing them and enjoying the beauty and joy they bring.

We welcome you to visit any of our Anthem Memory Care communities. We’d love to share our gardens with you and your family!

(Our header image shows a resident of Harvester Place Memory Care in Burr Ridge Illinois neatening up a recently planted batch of spring flowers.)

Vineyard Place Residents Join with Local School Kids to Make Mother’s Day Cards

Local homeschoolers from Our Lady of Fatima Home School Group in Murrieta, California joined residents at Vineyard Place Memory Care to craft homemade Mother’s Day cards to send loving messages to women in local skilled nursing facilities.

“Our residents loved making these thoughtful cards, knowing they would be shared with other mothers outside the community,” said Christopher Balmes, life engagement director for Vineyard Place. “It was a wonderful way to spread kindness, connect with others and give back to the community. Events like this bring joy, encourage creativity and remind our residents how much they can still give and inspire.”

The activity was covered in the local Murrieta Patch. You can read the full article here.

Cornerstone Christian Baptist Church in Murrieta, California got some help with their spring cleaning recently as residents of Vineyard Place Memory Care came to the rescue, eager and ready to get to work.

Residents worked alongside others to clean toys for the children and help spruce up the church. It provided a great opportunity to give back and enjoy connecting with their friends at Cornerstone.

You can read the full Murietta Patch article here.

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.

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