If you are a family caregiver of a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, you know that the holidays bring special challenges. On one hand, you enjoy all the music and decorations, as well as getting together with family and friends. However, all that hustle and bustle can create unwanted tensions as you struggle to balance […]
When transitioning a loved one into memory care, many families will select a shared suite arrangement. Often the main driver of the decision is to save money. And clearly there is a financial benefit. However, what many families may not realize is that there can be additional benefits to sharing a living space with a […]
Celebrations with family and friends are always at the center of the holiday season. Gift exchanges, dinners, open houses, and casual drop-ins from neighbors; all form a big part of what we love about this time of the year. For a loved one living with Alzheimer’s disease, however, these once joyous gatherings can cause immense […]
‘Tis the season … for making travel plans. And, as air travel continues to get more back to normal, this year promises to be busier than ever. For many of us, air travel brings a heightened level of stress. Packing, getting tickets in order, shuttling to and from busy airports requires us to pay […]
Fourth and fifth grade students from Southwest Chicago Christian School paid tribute to the veterans living at Grace Point Place Memory Care in Oak Lawn, Illinois. The students got busy with their chalk and created some amazing images to inspire and thank those who served. Residents, families, and staff were thrilled to witness the chalk […]
On Veterans Day ten residents of Highline Place representing each of their branches of the military were honored for their service. The event was covered by local KDVR news station. Several of the residents, despite their memory loss were able to recall their experiences. “We honored each one with what branch of service they were […]
While Veterans Day has come and gone, there is no start and end date to our admiration and compassion for the veterans living and working inside our doors. Being able to celebrate these very special individuals who have served our country in decades past is truly an honor. Everyone benefits. Their stories are compelling and […]
We all know “dusk” or “twilight time”, as that time of day when the waning sunlight impairs our ability to see clearly without lighting. Most of us simply turn the lights on and go about our evening. But, for individuals with dementia, the transition is not so easily shrugged off, especially if they are already […]
As we head deeper into fall, we begin to feel its effects --- chillier mornings, rain, cold winds, and a lot less sunlight. For most of us, these are simply the signs that winter is coming as we throw on a jacket and go about our daily lives. For individuals challenged with dementia, however, these […]
Ask one of our residents what their favorite animal visit was this year and you’ll probably get a different answer from each of them. That’s because our Anthem communities partner with local organizations and farms which enables them to bring a variety of beautiful animals to visit residents and staff. Some residents prefer dogs, others […]
One of the biggest concerns we hear from family caregivers of loved ones living at home with dementia is safety. Even in a home a parent has lived in for years, adult children will worry about the potential for a stove burner to be left on or a foot to catch the edge of a […]
While individuals with dementia do not typically require special diets (unless other conditions such as diabetes are present), healthy eating is important for everyone, especially as we age. However, there are challenges for individuals with dementia which can become an impediment to meeting healthy dietary goals. The Cleveland Clinic has listed many of these challenges. Here are […]
Family caregivers often feel overwhelmed by the dizzying assortment of doctors, nurses, and specialists with whom they must interact to optimize care for a loved one diagnosed with dementia. If you are in this situation, we understand your confusion. Navigating the healthcare system, especially when dealing with your own stress levels, can be daunting. However, […]
Sophia or “Sunni” McGee, resident of Harvester Place Memory Care in Burr Ridge, Illinois, has packed a lot of living into her 100 years. Residents, staff and families celebrated her 100th birthday recently, an event covered by the local Patch. When asked what her secret was to her longevity, she didn’t hesitate to answer: “Healthy […]
As a provider of memory care, we can’t think of a more purposeful activity than one that raises money to help fund Alzheimer’s disease research! Our communities are always looking for ways to do their part to help. That goes for residents, families, and our wonderful staff members. Recently, residents of Grace Point Place Memory […]