What Services Are Included in Memory Care?

If you have a family member experiencing Alzheimer’s or dementia, it can be difficult to see the memory of someone you love decline. As our loved ones grow older, we want to hold on to the cherished memories that we’ve been able to make over the years. But that can be a challenge as our minds and bodies age.

That’s why we’ve made it one of our priorities at The Mission at Agua Fria to provide memory care services. But you may be wondering exactly what services are included in our memory care program. If so, here’s what you can expect when your loved one receives memory care at our retirement living community in Peoria.

Memory Care Therapy

At The Mission at Agua Fria, we strive to keep the mind sharp, the body whole, and the soul fulfilled. To do that, we use an array of therapies that include art, sensory integration, music, and pet therapy, as well as a state-of-the-art exercise program.

Our residents are also able to take advantage of the health benefits of the great outdoors. They can stroll through our beautiful courtyard to socialize with others or simply get some fresh air.

Our memory care program is modeled after a revolutionary approach known as GENTLECARE. This system of care uses innovative strategies to create the best possible treatment opportunities.

With GENTLECARE, a functional assessment will first be performed to determine your loved one’s strengths and weaknesses. The GENTLECARE system then focuses on supporting existing levels of functioning, rather than expecting the patient to perform in ways they’re no longer able.

In addition to the functional assessment, this care system uses a combination of nutrition, environmental design, and a therapeutic partnership with family members as well as the community to achieve the best possible results. Some of these outcomes may include increased function, reduced catastrophic incidents, and decreased family stress.

In addition to structured therapy programs, your loved one will also have the opportunity to enjoy specialized activities to stimulate their intellectual, physical, and spiritual needs. At The Mission at Agua Fria, we believe in a holistic approach to memory care that focuses on nourishing the mind, body, and soul.

Personalized Attention

We understand that memory care cannot be approached with a one-size-fits-all mentality. Your loved one needs care personalized to their individual needs. That’s why when your family member stays with us, we ensure our staff provides individualized attention specifically tailored to each resident.

But we delve even deeper than that, speaking to you, the family member, to get to know your loved one better. We know you can provide unique insight into your loved one’s specific situation and needs. That’s why we work with you and other involved family members or caregivers to learn more about your loved one’s personal history, interests, and preferences.

Using this knowledge combined with the GENTLECARE assessment, we tailor a personalized care plan designed to yield optimal results.

Maintenance and Housekeeping

We want to give your loved one as much independence as possible, but we also know that daily assistance may be required, not just for their health but for their safety too. That’s why we offer help with activities around the home, such as maintenance and housekeeping. For instance, we provide daily trash removal and personal laundry and linen services. We also provide three chef-prepared nutritious meals and snacks daily.

In addition to providing assistance with apartment upkeep and maintenance, we also offer a full range of personal care services. This includes assistance with dressing, bathing, continence, mobility, as well as help with meals and activities.

If your loved one needs help getting around, we can arrange for transportation to local services as well. We also have a 24-hour on-site care team to provide around-the-clock care and address medical needs as they arise.

Since your loved one won’t have to worry about the mundane everyday tasks, they can instead focus their full attention and energy on memory care and therapy.

Family Support

It’s been said that Alzheimer’s and dementia are among the few diseases that are more difficult for family members than for the affected individual. While we can’t completely alleviate the pain that you may experience, we promise to do our best to minimize it. We’ll involve you in your loved one’s care management every step of the way and even offer support services for you and your family.

One way we do this is through our Director of Memory Care, who oversees all memory care programs. Our director is in frequent contact with the nursing department and gets regular updates on each resident’s care plan and condition. This allows you to have direct contact with a staff member who is knowledgeable about your loved one’s progress and will keep you informed throughout their stay at our senior living community.

We know support and assistance are crucial not only for those with dementia but also for their friends and family who care for them deeply. That’s why we make sure to effectively communicate with the family members of the residents who live with us. We will ensure any questions you have are adequately addressed and that you have complete confidence in the memory care services we provide.

We can tell you more about our services, but we prefer you see them firsthand. Make an appointment to meet with us in-person and take a tour of our senior living center. In addition to our memory care services, we also offer assisted living complete with a theater, gym, beauty salon, game room, and more.

At the Mission at Agua Fria, we want to make the transition to senior living as seamless as possible, both for our residents and for you, the ones they love.