August is National Wellness Month. And while wellness principles should be practiced year-round, this month presents us with a great opportunity to stop and check in with our health. For individuals living with dementia, wellness takes on added significance. We believe it is important for family caregivers to understand that the limitations associated with dementias, […]
Nothing is more satisfying for residents of Harvester Place Memory Care in Burr Ridge, Illinois than finding new ways to “give back” to the community. Recently, a group of local summer school children visited Harvester Place to work with residents to create some very unique dog chew toys, all to be donated to the local animal […]
Local summer camp students paid a visit to residents of Harvester Place Memory Care to help them make dog “chew toys” for local shelters. It was both fun and purposeful for all, doing their part to give back to the greater community. The event was covered in the Chicago Tribune, which you can access here: https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/burr-ridge/ct-dbr-burr-ridge-harvester-tl-0722-20210716-a6uyylafgnaj5mecad4ptnlvjq-story.html
Residents were excited to see their handmade kites fill the skies as local fifth-graders ran with them and got them airborne. The event was covered by the local TV station, KDVR. You can watch the full video here: https://kdvr.com/video/memory-care-facility-hosting-their-own-games/6833708/
As we enter the middle of summer, there is much to enjoy. Outdoor activities, a more relaxed atmosphere, lots of open windows and, of course, daylight saving time. And yet the warmer weather we have craved all winter long can reach dangerous levels which can have a serious impact on health, especially for older individuals. […]
One of our residents’ (and staff’s) favorite activities in our Anthem communities is dancing. Whether it’s fast, slow, a conga line or just swaying back and forth, the experience of moving in time to music has a therapeutic value all its own. That’s why we find every opportunity to get our residents up and involved, […]
One of the many challenges of the pandemic was that it forced many adult children to be separated from their aging parents for well over a year. For many families, the reunions are just now occurring, having waited to be fully vaccinated and for travel restrictions to lift. For most, it has been a joyous […]
As we begin to engage in family visits and get-togethers again, it can bring a certain degree of anxiety to many of us, especially our older relatives who may remain skeptical about vaccines, health protocols and just getting back to socializing again. The CDC has issued new guidelines loosening the protocols for those who have […]
Nothing can replace human to human interaction. It’s vital to our emotional and physical health and wellbeing. And yet, researchers and health professionals are finding that robots can play an important role in helping to connect individuals with dementia to information, brain-stimulating entertainment and even to each other. Denver-based DreamFace Technologies has been working on […]
By now you may have heard the latest news on the fight to end Alzheimer’s disease. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new drug, developed by Biogen, called Aducanumab to potentially delay the cognitive decline experienced in Alzheimer’s disease. This is exciting news because, prior to this, medications have focused only […]
June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness month. And it’s never been more important than now, as we begin to come out from the pandemic and researchers double down on their focus to find a cure. At our Anthem Memory Care communities we never stop our ongoing pursuit of new therapeutics, technologies and the latest methods […]
After almost two years without a visit from the Chicago Christian School students, residents of Grace Point Place Memory Care were thrilled to have a special reunion. Over the years many special relationships have been formed between the residents and students involving many fun activities. For the reunion, residents, students and staff decided to have […]
Highline Place has partnered with Denver-based DreamFace Technologies to test out their latest, cutting edge, fully autonomous robot. The purpose is to help encourage interaction with residents. And the residents are eager to participate! “Our residents are very interested in serving others,” Jodi Cornman, senior community relations director for Highline Place told the local Denver Patch. […]
One of our residents’ favorite activities at our Anthem Memory Care communities is gardening. It was a pastime so many of them enjoyed in their earlier years. And family members often share stories of these beautiful gardens, often the envy of their neighborhoods. It is so important for aging individuals, especially those living with dementia, […]
It’s gardening time again at Chelsea Place Memory Care! That means growing flowers, plants and vegetables. Linden Mathews, a WWII veteran and resident of Chelsea Place Memory Care led fellow residents in building a unique tomato cage, based on his own patented construction model. It was part of their “gardening day” activities.