Continued from page 45 TIP 9
10 TIP
TIP 11 12 TIP 13 TIP
Encourage Families to Take Residents to Religious Services
Taking residents to religious services also can be a very positive experience for families and loved ones. “Some folks can easily go to a church service and participate quite far into dementia if that’s been part of their normal pattern because there are such deep memories. They’ll often be able to join in a song or prayer and it feels good for the family to see, ‘this normal thing we’re doing together.’”
- Guidry
Create Welcoming Outdoor Spaces Manicured, wheelchair-accessible areas can pro- vide peaceful, relaxing spaces for families to visit.
- Guidry
TIP 15
Share Personal Experiences Sharing personal experiences about Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia allows families to use those stories to work through their own feelings. “It’s multi-faceted from the sales perspective. I work with the sales role in teaching the sales person to assure the family that it’s a process, a journey, and … to work with each person personally.”
- Michael Levine, vice president of sales and marketing at Chelsea Senior Living
Educate Children
Books about the disease can be helpful for family members of all ages. Popular recommendations for youngsters include: “Learning to Speak Alzhei- mer’s: A Groundbreaking Approach for Everyone Dealing with the Disease” by Joanne Koenig Coste, “Grandpa Doesn’t Know It’s Me” by Donna Guthrie and “What’s Happening to Grandpa” by Maria Shriver.
- Splaine 14 TIP
Encourage Visits With Children “They’re part of the family. Uncle Henry thought my girls were great and wanted to see them, even if he couldn’t come up with the right names. Just like any other family visit, it’s not unreasonable that they be multigenerational.”
- Mike Splaine, principal with Cognitive Solutions
16 TIP
Recognize Family Differences Encourage staff to recognize how unique the disease’s effects can be for each person and re- member to respond individually to each situation and family.
-Levine
TIP 17
Dedicate Teams
Dedicating staff to memory care communities means your team members will be able to re- member residents’ preferences, even if they can’t verbalize them.
- Levine
TIP 18
46 SENIOR LIVING EXECUTIVE / JULY/AUGUST 2016
Bring Pictures
Photos can spur memories, ultimately leading to conversation or - at the very least- smiles that help family members feel they’re connecting with a loved one.
- Splaine
Bring Food
Food can help spur memories and conversation. Ask families to let community staff know if they’re planning to bring food. This gives communities opportunities to help families make choices that complement residents’ diets.
-Splaine
Bring the Pets
Allowing pets to visit communities or, when possi- ble, live with the resident can help the resident’s mood, ultimately helping the family member have a good visit.
- Splaine
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