Memory Care America - January 2020

Memory Care America - January 2020

Memory Care Moments

JANUARY 2020

1.833.MEM.CARE • 833.636.2273

www.MemoryCareAmerica.com

Serving the Soul We started this journey in 2015. Back then, our group wanted to provide better dementia care for families facing a devastating prognosis. We wanted to offer a home where patients with dementia could be cared for by specialists who were experts in treating this complex condition.

Our Communities Memory Care of Naples 2626 Goodlette Frank Road Naples, FL 34103 239.403.0826 memorycarenaples.com Memory Care of Little Rock 2501 Aldersgate Road Little Rock, AR 72205 501.260.7407 memorycarelittlerock.com Memory Care of Westover Hills 10910 Town Center Drive San Antonio, TX 78251 210.802.6653 memorycarewestoverhills.com Memory Care of Simpsonville 645 Scuffletown Rd. Simpsonville, SC 29681 864.962.3038 memorycaresimpsonville.com Memory Care of New Braunfels 2022 State HWY 46 W New Braunfels, TX 78132 830.420.5882 memorycarenewbraunfels.com

COMMEMORATING 5 YEARS OF HELPING FAMILIES IN THEIR ALZHEIMER’S/DEMENTIA JOURNEY

together after dinner — all without remembering that they know each other. But the moment they find one another, they just know they are safe and happy together. It’s a beautiful bond they share.

And it’s that — that’s exactly what we want to evoke and foster at our communities at Memory Care America. We are continually looking for programs, therapies, and opportunities that touch your loved one’s soul and allow them to live the fullest life possible inside their dementia diagnosis. We strive to make this happen every day, and we already have plans to offer more programming opportunities that do just that for your loved ones. Looking back on the past five years, we realize that it’s because of you that we are continuing to improve our standard of care. In addition, nearly two years ago, we founded the Technician of Care (ToC) program in an effort to combat a common problem among the caregivers of the dementia community. Finding long-lasting employees in

With that idea in mind, we opened our first location in Naples, Florida, in 2016, and since then, you’ve trusted our team to care for you and your families, allowing us to expand our care into multiple states. When we look back at where this all started and how far we’ve come, we can’t help but be in awe. Today, Memory Care America serves patients and their families in Westover Hills and New Braunfels, Texas; Little Rock, Arkansas; Simpsonville, South Carolina; and our original spot in Naples, Florida. We have served 1,200 families across the

Memory Care America celebrates the holidays with our residents and families.

southern U.S., meeting them on their various paths through dementia, and doing so without any complaints that were substantiated by any regulatory body. Sometimes, in the middle of day-to-day operations and ensuring our communities’ needs are met, it can be difficult to remember just how powerful the work we do is. But then we’re given a beautiful reminder. I was visiting Memory Care of Little Rock a few weeks back, and I witnessed two people in their 50s and 60s, who don’t know each other by name but have a spiritual connection like no other. They bike together, they hold hands, they spend time

this field is difficult. Many professionals in the cognitive challenges care field feel the brunt of the exhaustion sooner than other medical providers because the work is often complex and emotionally taxing. But we know our patients and families are better served by consistent faces and employees. That’s where the ToC comes in. This program is designed to build on the expertise our employees already have by adding specific dementia training and educational opportunities. We want to give our caregivers the tools they need to be successful, and in return, you and your loved one

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1.833.MEM.CARE • 833.636.2273

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Do Not Keep Our Work a Secret!

Life Enrichment &

Laughter

Memory Care of Little Rock’s Marta Harrell Brings Joy and Smiles to our Residents

W hen Marta Harrell guests. So, the following week, Marta carted in dominoes, coloring books, and her guitar — which she had just started to learn — in hopes that she could spark some fun. volunteered at an adult day care center in Arkansas in 1998, she noticed there were hardly any activities for the

The result is a 22-year career.

After obtaining a license in the field and working at the center until 2003, Marta had various jobs at nursing homes and even a two-year stint in business ownership. It was a nurse who pushed Marta toward memory care, and for the past three years, Marta has served as the Life Enrichment Director at Memory Care of Little Rock. “I’ll tell you what motivates me. It’s the families and the residents,” Marta says “When I say hello and touch or hug them, their faces light up, and they just hug me so tight. I can be feeling a little tired, and when I get that smile or hug, it makes me have more energy.” The residents, Marta says, love competition, whether it’s playing bean bag toss and horseshoes or simply sitting on the sidelines watching the action. They enjoy sing-alongs and frequently listen intently while Marta reads books. Marta even has plans to incorporate music and movement into the therapeutic programming, increase the number of animals that visit the community, and invite children from the local schools. During her first month with Memory Care of Little Rock, Marta hosted a milkshake event, complete with diner-style milkshakes and ‘50s music. However, when someone approached her with a question, Marta forgot to put the lid on the industrial milkshake machine. With one push of the button, milkshake went flying into the air, covering Marta from head to toe.

"I laughed until I cried,” Marta says. “You have things like that happen, and that endears you to them and you love them back.”

Marta has lived in Arkansas since she was 17 years old, and she and her husband celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary on Jan. 1. The couple has five granddaughters, including four who live in France with the couple’s daughter and one from their son. Since she was 4 years old, their eldest granddaughter has accompanied Marta to work, talking and playing with the residents Marta works with every day. Don’t keep our work a secret; referrals are the best compliment you can give us! If you would like to be featured in our newsletter or if you know a family that could benefit from our services, please call 833.MEM.CARE (636.2273) or visit MemoryCareAmerica.com.

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www.MemoryCareAmerica.com

A Very Happy New Year Our Communities Celebrate the Holidays

As we celebrated the end of another year at Memory Care America, our communities joined in with festivities of their own! Whether it was enjoying a meal together, celebrating an honor, or inviting local neighbors to our communities, residents and staff had a merry holiday season. We are proud to announce that Memory Care of Naples received "Best of Assisted Living" in the local “Best of Naples 2019” awards! Way to go, team! It doesn’t get much more festive than the celebrations at Memory Care of New Braunfels, Memory Care of Little Rock, and Memory Care of Simpsonville . Memory Care of New Braunfels residents prepared for the holidays with a jolly visit from Santa Claus! Memory Care of Little Rock residents and staff were treated to festive decor, while Memory Care of Simpsonville residents were indulged in a homemade apple pie treat! At Memory Care of Westover Hills , family caregivers enjoyed great food and even better company at the monthly family caregiver luncheon. This event offers caregivers and professionals support and encouragement. We hope you and your family enjoyed a festive, relaxing, and happy holiday season. If you reconnected with someone over the holiday season who could benefit from our services, don’t keep our work a secret. Referrals are the best compliment you can give us! Direct them to MemoryCareAmerica.com, or find us on Facebook.

Memory Care of Westover Hills continues to host monthly family caregiver luncheons to offer support and encouragement.

Residents at Memory Care of Little Rock enjoy handcrafted holiday decor.

Santa visits Memory Care of New Braunfels

Memory Care of Naples receives a local distinction!

Everyone is all smiles as they enjoy homemade apple pie at Memory Care of Simpsonville.

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are provided with the best care possible to guide you through this complex diagnosis.

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In addition, we have improved our new resident onboarding process to include a more comprehensive understanding of your loved one. We want to prepare our staff for the life they will soon be taking care of, and our goal is to ensure that we take on the load you have been carrying. Since updating this practice and introducing the ToC program, we’ve been proud of the progress our communities have made in continuing to provide an excellent standard of care for your loved ones. You and your family deserve our very best, and every day we strive to meet that. As we commemorate five years on this incredible journey, I know we’re destined to grow and continue to help families. Thank you for joining us and making us part of your story. We’re honored to serve your loved ones and their beautiful souls every day.

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F J R O M R N X O K P V R I A K T S C A P R I C O R N K M S Y E B T F W A E Z I S M S F T R V E V T Y L G U E T N C X H S U I R A U Q A N F E H U N D W O N S Z N Z D W E G R X E O N E W Y E A R D S O I J F T T B J I K H P A I R G D F N G M E W V K T J W B C X T V K E R

AQUARIUS

CAPRICORN FIREWORKS MIDNIGHT

CELEBRATE FREEZING NEW YEAR RESOLUTION

NEW YEAR RESOLUTION WINTER

FIREWORKS MIDNIGHT PIG TOAST CELEBRATE FREEZING

AQUARIUS CHAMPAGNE JANUARY PARTY SNOW CAPRICORN

CHAMPAGNE

JANUARY

PARTY SNOW

PIG

TOAST

WINTER

Happy New Year!

—JimWalesa Managing Partner, Memory Care America

1.833.MEM.CARE • 833.636.2273

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1.833.MEM.CARE www.memorycareamerica.com

2211 NW M ilitary H wy ., S te . 201 S an A ntonio , TX 78213

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Inside 1 Continuing to Serve 2 Meet Memory Care of Little Rock’s Marta Harrell! 3 Our Festive Celebrations Around Memory Care America 3 Word Search 4 These Health Hoaxes Will Sink Your Resolution

Memory Care Wellness

MEDICAL MIRACLE OR HEALTH HOAX?

3 Red Flags to Watch Out For

The new year is a great time to make your health a priority again, and there are a bunch of workouts and diet plans to choose from. Too many, some might say. It can be difficult to determine exactly which health plan will help you reach your goals, but there are some pretty obvious red flags that you’ll want to avoid. Beware the Dreaded ‘Detox’ Plenty of diets, supplements, and products claim to “purify” your body by removing unspecified “toxins.” These “detoxes” conveniently forget that your kidneys and liver are already removing substances your body doesn’t need! The human body has been capable of cleansing itself for thousands of years. It doesn’t need a special smoothie or footpads to get the job done. Most detox products are nothing but snake oil, and some of them can leave you feeling worse than you did before you started using them. Unless you have been diagnosed with a disease that would impair your liver or kidneys, you don’t need to spend extra money to keep your insides clean. A healthy diet is enough. Cellulite Isn’t Real In 1968, Vogue magazine introduced American women to the word “cellulite,” warning them of a terrible “diagnosed” condition women suffered from. They encouraged the use of a special rolling pin to banish the little

lumps of fat on women’s thighs and buttocks. Since then, cellulite has been used as shorthand to mean “bad body fat you need to remove.” But cellulite is not an indication of poor health. Furthermore, there’s no cure for cellulite because it’s not a disease. It would be like using a special lotion that claims it can remove the wrinkled skin on your knuckles! Most people, especially women, have cellulite. It’s perfectly natural! If you want to get in shape this year, avoid diets or products that claim to melt cellulite. This is a clear indication these treatments aren’t based on real medical science. Cure-Alls Cure Nothing A “cure-all” is any product, treatment, or diet that claims to cure a bunch of unrelated medical problems. Cure-alls have been a problem for centuries, claiming to help with weight loss, migraines, heart disease, anxiety, depression, and even baldness! This isn’t how medicine or the human body works. One change cannot magically fix many different, sometimes unrelated, problems. A good way to determine if something is a cure-all is to check if it claims to help treat, prevent, or cure cancer. That’s a big red flag you want to avoid.

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www.MemoryCareAmerica.com