Anthem Memory Care Blog

Didn’t it seem like summer would never arrive? The pandemic has made us more eager than ever to get out into the fresh air. And yet, for the longest time, the weather was not cooperating! So, what a relief to finally start seeing some warm summer weather come our way. As our communities begin to […]

If you’re into yoga, you may be familiar with a new trend sweeping the country. It’s called “goat yoga”. “Why goats?” you may ask. Goats are increasingly being recognized for their therapeutic qualities. These innately gentle creatures are known to be exceptionally even tempered. And, contrary to popular opinion, they are naturally clean animals. They […]

It is the catch phrase of so many Alzheimer’s Association ads and articles: “The first survivor of Alzheimer’s disease is out there.” They are indeed. And we hope soon, because so many of us have lost a loved one to Alzheimer’s disease. Perhaps you are caring for a parent who has been recently diagnosed or […]

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 […]

Thanksgiving, 2020 will certainly be one we’ll never forget. For many families, it will be much smaller than usual. For some, it will be a time to reflect on loved ones, living and passed. And, yet, regardless of where Thanksgiving finds each of us this year, it brings an opportunity to pause and give thanks […]

A recent article in AARP Magazine cited a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) report that has logged over 670,000 public complaints of scams, many of them related to COVID-19 topics ranging from stimulus checks to miracle cures. These scams are dangerous for all of us, but particularly concerning when they prey upon aging, cognitively challenged individuals, […]

At Anthem Memory Care communities, it is our privilege to serve several residents of Ukrainian descent, some with family members still living in Ukraine and all of whom feel especially impacted as Ukraine continues to fight to protect its independence. One resident of Porter Place Memory Care in Tinley Park, Illinois was especially affected by […]

While the holidays are a time to enjoy special moments with family and friends, we hear from many adult children who, instead of returning with fond memories, return filled with worry about cognitive and behavioral changes they’ve observed in a parent. Those changes may include one or more of the following: Is it just normal […]

These are challenging times for residents of senior living communities as they remain separated from loved ones. It is also a challenging time for students, especially younger school children, who are working hard to get used to online learning and being separated from their friends. During normal times, at our Anthem Memory Care communities, we […]

“Oh no. My dad would never want to share his suite with a roommate!” Concerns like this are often voiced during tours of memory care communities. The family members are often reluctant to consider roommates in memory care communities for their loved ones. And it’s understandable, given that most individuals, prior to moving into a […]

As we continue to navigate carefully through this pandemic, Anthem Memory Care community leadership has been busy seeking safe and enjoyable ways to bring our residents together with their loved ones. Socialization is so important for individuals with dementia and our communities have been doing a great job using technologies, like video chat, to connect […]

Who doesn’t remember playing games as a child growing up? Most of us recall the great feeling of winning a round of Gin Rummy or beating mom or dad in a game of checkers. When a loved one has a dementia, such as Alzheimer’s, however, it can be difficult for them to concentrate, let alone […]

As you may know, the 1950's and 1960's were the heyday of the department store. Many women back in the day would put on their hats and gloves and go “downtown” to shop, have lunch and occasionally enjoy a local fashion show, hosted by a local department store. In more recent years the fashion show […]

May is National Stroke Awareness Month. Arming ourselves with information about strokes is important for so many reasons. But did you know that strokes can lead to a condition called vascular dementia? According to the Alzheimer’s Association, vascular dementia represents 5-10% of dementia cases but is considered the second most common type of dementia, after […]

This is the season for gift giving. For many, questions like “Mom, what would you like for Christmas?” are greeted by either a short list or, more likely, “Oh don’t worry about me, dear. I don’t need anything.” But if you have a loved one struggling with Alzheimer’s, your holiday wish list is more challenging. The […]