Residents at Vineyard Place Memory Care in Murrieta, California gathered together with students from Temescal Canyon High School this week for their 3rd annual Senior Prom.
The event brought everyone together for an afternoon of music, dancing, and fun across generations. Many of the residents and students have formed close relationships, making every get-together even more special and fun.
The room was decked out with Hollywood-style décor, complete with sparkly backdrops and a lively dance floor. Residents and 20 students were dressed up and ready to hit the dance floor, sharing lots of great moments together.
The prom was covered by the Murrieta Patch. You can read the full story here.
It is often not until the later-mid stages of dementia that families begin to truly grasp the reality of the illness. This is a difficult time for families, grappling with complex emotional issues as they begin to transition their actions towards supporting their loved one as they enter the final stages of dementia.
This is when palliative and hospice care professionals become indispensable partners in care, sharing their compassion and expertise to create a highly supportive environment that brings comfort and security, not only for the loved one with dementia, but for the family as well.
What is the difference between palliative care and hospice care?
Palliative and hospice care share many of the same attributes. Both are forms of specialized medical care focused on improving quality of life and comfort for individuals with serious, life-limiting illnesses. Both share a mission to move away from purely "curative" medicine toward holistic, patient-centered care.
The primary difference between palliative and hospice care lies in when the care is provided and the goals of the treatments and services provided.
To help family caregivers better understand palliative and hospice care, we’ve curated information from The Alzheimer’s Association, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Medicare, and other healthcare agencies and organizations. Below is a summarized breakdown of each:
Palliative care
Eligibility for palliative care can begin at any stage of dementia and focuses on relieving symptoms, improving comfort, and supporting quality of life while a person may still receive treatments aimed at slowing the disease or managing other conditions.
The primary goal of palliative care is to provide comfort, improve quality of life, while continuing to allow for simultaneous curative care. It is also focused on reducing the physical/emotional strain on caregivers.
More details:
Hospice care
Eligibility for hospice care begins when the individual has progressed to later-stage dementia. This is typically when the ability to dress, bathe, and retain bladder and bowel control has ceased and only limited verbal communication is possible.
The primary goal of hospice care is to focus entirely on comfort, pain management, and quality of life rather than curative treatments.
More details:
Palliative care and hospice care provide significant benefits to families who opt to use them.
Because dementia is a progressive, life-limiting condition, understanding both palliative and hospice care is key to optimizing the care experience for both the loved one with dementia and the family. As beneficial as these services are, however, many families do not take advantage of them. Often this is due to a lack of knowledge as to the benefits of these services. It can also be a combination of emotional barriers, denial of need, deep-seated misconceptions, and the perceived challenges of navigating potentially complicated medical systems.
That’s where we can help. Our Anthem Memory Care communities are proud to partner with some of the most respected palliative and hospice care providers in the country. We have witnessed firsthand how their loving care and professional expertise benefits our residents and their families.
We encourage you to reach out to any of our communities for more information and resources so that your family can take advantage of these valuable services. We will be happy to share our own experiences and look forward to learning more about your family. We are here to help!
Anyone who has added yoga or tai chi into their daily routine will tell you how beneficial it is to their overall mental and physical wellbeing. As we age, engaging in relaxing, meditative exercises can become even more advantageous in relieving stress, while improving flexibility, strength, and balance. That is why it won’t be a surprise to you that it also benefits individuals living with dementia.
Relaxation exercises for individuals living with dementia are known to decrease agitation, anxiety, and restlessness while enhancing overall emotional comfort. The most effective techniques are simple, repetitive, and calming, with clear guidance and gentle pacing.
Yoga (and Chair Yoga)
Yoga is a centuries-old practice that began in India and focuses on connecting the body and mind through gentle movement, controlled breathing, and meditation. By combining gentle physical poses with relaxation and mindful breathing, yoga supports physical health, flexibility, and strength while also encouraging calmness and mental clarity. Its overall goal is to create a sense of balance and well-being throughout the body and mind.
Yoga can significantly improve the quality of life for both individuals living with dementia and their caregivers. It can be performed on a mat or, for those with balance or mobility challenges, from the security of a chair.
Research cited by Johns Hopkins Medicine notes nine primary benefits of yoga, summarized below:
Tai Chi and Qigong
These are mind–body intervention techniques that share the core features of Chinese martial arts and meditative movements through smooth and continuous body movements and breathing. There are many similarities between Tai Chi and Qigong in how they focus on the body (posture and movement), breath, and mind (meditation and mindfulness).
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) cites studies noting several health benefits for individuals with dementia, summarized below:
And you’ll discover the added value in the slow, rhythmic breathing.
In addition to improving balance, strength, and flexibility the slow, controlled breathing involved in these activities activates the body’s natural relaxation response and reduces physical tension. Family caregivers can guide their loved one to sit in a comfortable position, inhale slowly through the nose, and allow the abdomen to gently expand. A slow, steady exhale through the mouth should follow. Repeating this pattern several times can promote a sense of calm and stability.
If you are just beginning these relaxation exercises, it is important to consider your loved one’s abilities, preferences, and safety needs. Activities should be flexible, reassuring, and adapted to provide comfort, enjoyment, and a sense of success.
How to get started?
There are a variety of ways to begin enjoying the benefits of relaxation exercises. Check your community website for more information on classes and other resources. There are also plenty of online video yoga and tai chi/qigong tutorials and yoga sessions conducted by professionals. And you can enjoy them in the comfort of your own home. Either way, the time to get started is now!
Our Anthem Memory Community residents love their relaxation exercise sessions. Stretching, deep breathing, and connecting with their bodies is a healthy release of tension and stress. Sharing these sessions with fellow residents makes them even more enjoyable and relaxing.
We encourage you to drop by any of our communities and sit in on an exercise session. We craft each session to meet the unique needs and preferences of our residents. We will be happy to share tips to help you and your loved one find calm together through your own relaxation exercises.
Former Arkansas Razorback star Bill Burnett, sat down to chat with a reporter for the Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette. Burnett, still the program’s all-time leader with 46 touchdowns from 1968–70, was already battling severe memory loss and believed he was suffering from CTE, the brain disease linked to repeated head trauma and, in some cases can lead to dementia.
The once-dominant running back who carried the ball 526 times for Frank Broyles’ powerhouse teams is now a popular resident at Clear Creek Memory Care in Fayetteville.
Yet Burnett’s impact goes far beyond football. After college he helped build the Fellowship of Christian Athletes across Arkansas and founded a crisis pregnancy center in Fort Smith, raising the money and launching it without seeking credit.
Bill’s wife Linda visits and spends hours with him at Clear Creek every day. She helps feed him, keeps him comfortable, prays with him and reads him passages out of the Bible.
As for Bill’s football glory days? While his illustrative career was rewarding, it is far from the highlight of his life. Both Linda and Bill believe that those acts of faith and service matter much more than all those touchdowns that made him famous.
You can learn more about Bill’s and Linda’s journey by reading the full article in the Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette.
(Image credit: AP published by Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette)
Caring for a loved one in the middle stages of dementia can be both emotionally and physically demanding. During this phase, memory loss, confusion, and behavioral changes become more noticeable, and your loved one will likely need increasing help with daily activities such as dressing, bathing, and managing routines.
It’s important to remember, however, that challenging behaviors, like irritability, suspicion, or withdrawal, are symptoms of the disease, not intentional actions. Still, it can be overwhelming to families who become frustrated, not knowing what to expect and how to deal with it.
The Alzheimer’s Association has published information for caregivers to aid in better understanding and supporting a loved one during the middle stages of their dementia journey. We’ve summarized them below:
Cognition:
Memory:
Behavior:
Activities of daily living (ADLs):
Safety:
Communication:
What do family caregivers need to do to adjust to these changes? Here are some tips:
Increase hands-on support:
Adjust communication styles:
Optimize safety inside and outside their home:
Support routine and structure:
Adjust to behavioral changes:
As your loved one begins to show increasing signs of impairment, you will want to adjust your own actions and behavior to provide increasing levels of support as outlined above.
During these middle stages of dementia, it is important to understand that the damage caused to a loved one’s brain will cause them to become easily frustrated. That means that a normally gentle person may lash out and say hurtful things, or a once highly independent person may resist help and become agitated. These behaviors can feel personal, but in reality, they are symptoms of neurological changes beyond their control.
Reminding yourself that it is the disease speaking, not the person you know and love, can protect your relationship and your own emotional well-being. Witnessing their changes through that lens will enable you to meet them with compassion and maintain connection even as abilities decline.
The middle stages of dementia can last for several years. Over time, care needs typically progress from part-time assistance to full-time supervision and support. That is when a loved one’s needs may be better met in an environment that specializes in memory care.
Please feel free to reach out to any of our Anthem Memory Care communities. We will be happy to answer your questions and help you and your loved one navigate this challenging journey by providing insights, tips, resources and emotional support. You are not alone!
Love was in the air at all of our Anthem Memory Care communities this month, with lots of activities and celebrations bringing many moments of joy to residents, families and staff members. From community service projects to Valentine’s Day luncheons, February was a month of connection and engagement.
Residents enjoyed sharing memories of their own love stories from years past with each other and staff, who enjoyed the many stories about how they met their spouses and their earlier lives together.
Here are just a few of the special events and activities that filled our days … and our hearts this February:
After 45 years of marriage, Bruce and Kay Williams renewed their vows in a beautiful ceremony at Clear Creek Memory Care in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
In recognition of World Cancer Day, February 4th, residents and team members of Emerald Place Memory Care in Glenview, Illinois made “hope packages” for individuals receiving care at Gilda’s Club Chicago, an outreach organization designed to offer comfort and encouragement to those undergoing chemotherapy.
Willow Springs Memory Care residents took advantage of a warmer February day in Redding, California to visit their local park and feed the birds, a favorite activity which always brings smiles.
Savoy Place Memory Care residents made pet blankets, which they hand delivered to The Scratching Post, a cat café and adoption center in Champaign, Illinois. Of course they hung around a bit to visit with their feline friends.
And here’s another vow renewal, this one taking place at Liberty Place Memory Care in West Chester, Ohio as five special couples celebrated fifty to seventy year anniversaries! A truly beautiful and memorable event.
Of course there were the Valentine’s luncheons, including this one at Vineyard Place Memory Care in Murrieta, California, bringing residents, families, and staff together to share the love along with stories of Valentine’s Days passed.
To celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Week, residents of Emerald Place Memory Care in Glenview, Illinois headed to their local Target store armed with "kindness bags" full of sweet treats to hand out to shoppers passing by.
Grace Point Place Memory Care residents and staff “let the good times roll” in Oak Lawn, Illinois during a festive Mardi Gras celebration.
What special moments have you enjoyed this month?
If you are a family caregiver of a loved one with dementia, next time you visit ask them to share some of the memories that still make them smile. What were their favorite fun activities back in the day? Who were their friends and how did they meet them? And, finally, how did they meet that special person in their lives? What special moments do they recall?
While engaging with your loved one in this way, you may learn something you never knew before, a small detail, or all about a person in their lives. Consider gathering photos and other mementos together to create a memory box or capture their recollections in an audio or video recording. Preserving these moments are special and remind us that our lives are enriched by our elders and by the special, loving moments we share with them.
(Our header image shows residents and middle schoolers from Our Lady of Perpetual Help who came together at Emerald Place Memory Care in Glenview, Illinois to enjoy a Valentine-themed “Senior Prom”. Needless to say, it was a huge hit!)
Residents and middle schoolers recently came together at Emerald Place Memory Care in Glenview, Illinois to participate in a very special event geared to celebrate a popular tradition that many residents enjoyed in their younger years. The Valentine-themed “Senior Prom” was a big hit, held in partnership with students from Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
The festive afternoon featured music, dancing, and lots of laughter and meaningful connections between the generations. Earlier in the day, the students assisted residents in adding a festive touch by making corsages and boutonnieres for prom participants. A photo booth added an extra dose of fun, capturing lots of great, spontaneous moments shared between the young guests and seniors. Finally, the pièce de resistance … the prom king and queen were crowned!
You can read the full story coverage in the Glenview Patch.
Maintaining independence for as long as possible is so important for people living with dementia because it’s closely tied to dignity, self-worth, and a sense of purpose. Being able to make simple choices such as what to wear, when to eat, how to spend the day helps them feel more like themself and not like a child whose every move must be monitored. Even small moments of independence can provide comfort and reassurance, reminding them that their voice still matters and that they are respected as a person, not defined by a disease.
If you have a loved one with dementia, you may begin to find it harder, as the disease progresses, to stand back and let them manage on their own. Whether fearing for their safety, or simply to save time, the tendency is to step in quickly and take control. However, at a time when they are already struggling to adapt, this can have a negative impact, making them feel overwhelmed, frustrated, or left out, even when the intentions are loving and protective.
This is why supporting their autonomy whenever possible, even in simple ways, helps reduce anxiety and preserves a sense of safety and trust. Encouraging independence isn’t about expecting too much, it’s about finding gentle, meaningful ways to help them remain involved in their own life, connected to their day-to-day activities.
Here are ten key touchpoints to help maintain your loved one’s autonomy and independence for as long as possible:
Family caregivers play a vital and compassionate role in protecting a loved one’s dignity during these changes. By supporting autonomy wherever possible and inviting participation in decisions both big and small, caregivers can help their loved one remain an active participant in their own life. It isn’t about doing less. It’s about walking alongside a loved one with empathy, patience, and respect as their needs evolve. These moments, even when they take extra time or effort, send your loved one a powerful message: You matter, and your voice still counts.
At our Anthem Memory Care communities, independence is at the heart of what we do. We empower residents to continue enjoying the activities they’ve loved throughout their lives while discovering new opportunities to use their talents and skills and pursue their personal interests.
We invite you to reach out to any of our communities. We’ll be glad to share our own insights, tips, and resources with you and learn how we might be of help to you and your family.
Love was in the air at Liberty Place Memory Care in West Chester, Ohio as five special couples renewed their wedding vows.
The wedding anniversaries ranged from fifty to seventy years together as residents, families, and staff gathered together to witness the beautiful ceremony.
Richard Menna remembered the moment he first saw his wife of seventy years, Eileen. It was at a party as Frank Sinatra songs played in the background.
"I asked her to dance, initially she said no, and I persisted,” Richard says. “She said yes. That was the beginning of our love story.”
You can watch full coverage of the ceremony and hear more of the love stories from the couples on WLWT Channel 5.
The winter months can be especially challenging for families caring for a loved one with dementia. Shorter days and less sunlight can throw off sleep routines, increase late-day confusion or agitation, and make feelings of sadness or restlessness worse. Cold, gloomy weather also means fewer chances to get outside, move around, or connect with others, which can add to isolation and frustration for both you and your loved one.
That’s why having simple, meaningful indoor activities on hand is so important. They can bring comfort, structure, and moments of connection during the long winter months, while helping your loved one feel calmer and more engaged.
Here are some activity ideas to make those gloomy winter days brighter and more engaging:
Music and Entertainment
Reminiscence and Conversation
Games and Cognitive Activities
Creative and Hands-On Activities
Food and house activities:
Personal Care and Comfort
Ask your loved one which activities sound most appealing to them. Everyone is different and they may even suggest an activity you haven’t thought of. Including them in decision-making lets them know that their opinion is valued. It also helps preserve a sense of independence and purpose.
Try to plan two or more special activities each week. Adding them to the calendar gives both of you something to look forward to, breaking up the monotony and adding more variety into those long winter days. When you can, invite a family member or trusted friend to join in. Occasional visits from people your loved one knows and likes will lift their spirits and create even more opportunities for connection.
Remember, winter won’t last forever. As spring approaches, brighter days will bring improved moods and renewed energy, along with more chances for walks, outings, and time spent outdoors. Until then, these shared activities can help carry you both through the season with greater comfort, connection, and shared moments of joy.
Students from local Cole Canyon Elementary School partnered with residents at Vineyard Place Memory Care in Murrieta, California, to create a unique collection of Valentine’s Day cards.
Together, residents and students traced their hands on cardstock, transforming each outline with colorful stickers and creative designs. Every card was packaged with a homemade cookie, all ready to be delivered to a nearby skilled nursing facility.
These meaningful intergenerational projects never fail to spark lively conversation and genuine connection, uniting students and residents in a shared act of creativity while giving back to the community.
You can read more about this project in The Press Enterprise.
After 45 years of marriage, Bruce and Kay Williams renewed their vows in a beautiful ceremony at Clear Creek Memory Care in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Kay is a resident of Clear Creek, which is only three minutes away from Bruce’s Fayetteville condo. Needless to say, he can often be seen by Kay’s side as they continue to enjoy moments of joy together.
And one of the most joyful was the ceremony itself, which was attended by the Williams family as well as Clear Creek residents and staff. It was a magical celebration. “It makes your heart flutter,” Bruce told a reporter from Channel 5 News. “We couldn’t be more excited, we couldn’t be more in love than we’ve ever been in our lives.”
You can watch the full coverage of the ceremony on the local Channel 5 News.
In recognition of World Cancer Day, February 4th, residents and team members of Emerald Place Memory Care in Glenview, Illinois came together to assemble “hope packages” for individuals receiving care at Gilda’s Club Chicago, an outreach organization designed to offer comfort and encouragement to those undergoing chemotherapy.
Each package included handwritten notes of inspiration, lip balm, lotion, cozy socks, mints, and other soothing essentials. The care packages were personally delivered to Gilda’s Club, where Emerald Place residents also toured the facility and learned more about the support groups and programs available to individuals and families navigating a cancer diagnosis.
You can read full coverage of this heartfelt project in the Glenview Patch.
We are often asked if dementia is inherited. For most people, the answer is no. The majority of dementia cases are not passed down through families. In fact, many people who develop dementia have no close relatives who have had the condition.
However, researchers have found that certain genes can increase a person’s risk of developing what is often referred to as familial dementia. This is a rare form of dementia that is passed down through families due to specific inherited genes. In these cases, the disease is directly linked to genetic mutations and often appears earlier in life than more common types of dementia.
Having these genes does not always mean, however, that an individual will develop the disease. It simply means their risk is higher. The Alzheimer’s Association has cited extensive research on the role that genetics may play in the development of Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia. These genes generally fall into two main categories, as follows:
Risk genes (APOE)
Deterministic genes.
You can see from the above that, while rare, genetics can play a role in dementia risk. However, it is important to note that they are only one part of a much bigger picture. Age, overall health, lifestyle, and environment all influence brain health. Early awareness is critical to informed decision-making.
That is why we encourage families to arm themselves with knowledge and pay attention to early warning signs, such as changes in memory, behavior, or daily functioning. If concerns arise, seeking a medical evaluation and appropriate testing can provide clarity, guidance, and access to supportive resources. Early detection allows families to plan, explore treatment options, and focus on maintaining quality of life for their loved one as long as possible.
We invite you to reach out to any of our Anthem Memory Care communities for more information and insights from our professional staff. We will be happy to share our experiences with you and how we work together with families to support their loved ones living with dementia, helping them to live their best lives. We’re here to help!
Savoy Place Memory Care residents got busy with one of their favorite projects: making pet blankets to gift to The Scratching Post, a cat café and adoption center in Champaign, Illinois. Together they made forty beautiful, soft blankets that will help the center keep the animals warm during these cold Illinois winter days.
Activities like these do more than support a good cause. They help residents maintain their sense of purpose, giving back to their local community in ways that are meaningful, especially for those residents who have loved animals all their lives.
You can watch the full coverage of the project, including an interview with Destiny Umphryes, Life Enrichment Director, on WICS ABC News Channel 20.