Memory Care America - June 2020

Memory Care America - June 2020

Memory Care Moments

JUNE 2020

1.833.MEM.CARE • 833.636.2273

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MEMORY CARE AMERICA PARTNERS WITH MICROSURE Protecting Our Communities

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

From the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Memory Care America’s mission has been to protect our vulnerable residents, our staff, and their families. It wasn’t emotionally easy for our families, but we insulated our residents and staff within our facilities, offering window visits, parking lot parades, and many, many photos to put everyone's mind

and themselves. We will be washing resident clothes and other laundry with this powerful and lasting disinfectant which remains active after 70 wash cycles! You may be thinking, “These sound like common practices Memory Care America already does. What makes microSURE so special?”

at ease. We created a protective bubble around our communities, and we are proud to say we’ve not had a single recorded instance of COVID-19 in our communities.

Researchers, medical professionals, and those who fought Ebola and the SARS-CoV-2 pandemics in the past 20 years have seen

As states continue to slowly reopen, our families will soon see their loved ones in person, so we had to put plans in

firsthand just how powerful this cleaning agent can be. Rather than use a “chemical kill” like many cleaning agents, microSURE relies on a mechanical kill. The cleaner deposits a layer of crystallized silicon dioxide nanotechnology "spikes" which bonds with the surface (table, hands, garments) and provides a lasting physical defense against viruses and bacteria. Using this innovative product will further help our communities prevent the spread of COVID-19 as well as seasonal flu and many other contagious diseases. As for the hand sanitizer, microSURE’s powerful formula works for up to eight hours upon application. That’s 96 times more powerful than standard hand sanitizer which typically lasts only about five minutes after application. When our employees apply this sanitizer before and after their shifts, they protect our residents and their families, shielding our communities from the ripple effects of COVID-19. Given the powerful disinfecting capabilities of microSURE, we also wanted to ensure that it is safe. We looked at 20 years of research and microSURE has continually been found to present no danger

place to continue shielding our communities from the spread of COVID-19. How could we create a safe environment for our residents? How could

we properly care for our staff and double down on the infection control practices we already have in place? How could we limit potential ripple effects? Today, I’m proud to announce we are adding the powerful disinfecting agent microSURE to our existing cleaning protocol to continue protecting our communities. (As a side note, Memory Care America communities adhere to infection control practices that exceed guidelines laid out by state and federal governments and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Adding microSURE further increases our protective measures.) We have purchased microSURE surface cleaner, 8-hour hand sanitizer and laundry detergent for all of our communities in the Memory Care America family. Since microSURE protects for 30-90 days we will treat all surfaces in high traffic areas monthly. We will expect our staff to use the hand sanitizer upon the start of their shift and when they leave work to protect our residents, their families

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As we age, our bodies change, including our mental functions. Cognitive decline is one of the biggest fears of aging, but it’s not inevitable. Though we’re still learning new things about how our brains work, there’s a lot of scientific research that shows how to keep your brain young. If you want to keep your mind sharp throughout your lifetime, then follow this advice from Harvard Medical School. 1. Get a good workout. Exercising regularly helps all the muscles and organs in your body, even your brain! A good workout can lower your blood pressure and improve your cholesterol levels, which help your brain and your heart. Harvard Health Publishing, a website of Harvard Medical School, also notes that “animals who exercise regularly increase the number of tiny blood vessels that bring oxygen- rich blood to the region of the brain that is responsible for thought.” 2. Pay attention to your mental health. Poor mental health can lead to impaired cognitive function. Chronic anxiety, depression, and exhaustion tend to cause low scores on cognitive function tests. But test scores aren't necessarily a sign of future cognitive decline, and Harvard Health Publishing urges readers to maintain good mental health and get restful sleep, as they are “certainly important goals” for improving cognitive function and overall well-being. 3. Stay connected. It’s not enough to focus on yourself. In order to maintain your long-term cognitive health, you should also focus on your connections with other people. According to KEEP YOUR BRAIN YOUNG 3 Tips for Good Brain Health From Harvard Medical School

Sharing Your Stories

Memory Care and Us: Victor Ellsworth Shares His Wife’s Story

Every month, one family across our Memory Care America communities shares their journey with a dementia diagnosis. This past month, we received the following message from the husband of one of our residents, and we believe it’s too sweet not to share in this space.

On Jan. 13, 2020, my wife, Jan, became a resident at Memory Care of Little Rock, and as a couple, we have now begun the next part of our journey together.

I have been fortunate to share my life as a musician and educator with Jan for more than 42 years. She was a reading coordinator, history teacher, and alternative high school educator and mentor in public schools and universities, all while being a caring mother of four. Together as a family, we traveled from Wisconsin to Ohio and, finally, to Arkansas. When it became apparent that I could no longer provide a safe haven for Jan, my three daughters helped me look for a new home for her. Finally, we found Memory Care of Little Rock, where we know she is safe. She is now part of a community that values her and looks after her. I was fortunate to share lunch every day with her for the first two months until the pandemic forced Memory Care of Little Rock into lockdown for the safety of the residents. Each day while having lunch, I saw visiting family members caring for their loved ones, the staff and administration members paying careful attention to the well-being of all of the residents, and a sense of community. The director, Matt, has continually provided important emails with updates regarding how Memory Care of Little Rock is guarding its residents during the virus outbreak. His emails have also provided ways for us to communicate with our loved ones through emails, snail mail, FaceTime, and — for those of us who live close to Memory Care of Little Rock — a “window visit.” That window visit allows me to safely visit and talk to Jan for a few precious minutes. Most importantly, I have learned that when I have a concern, I can contact Nancy, Marta, Rachel, or Cathy and receive a timely response. So, dementia is part of our lives now, and the virus has been a game-changer. Yet, my family's choice to give Jan's well-being to Memory Care of Little Rock allows me to sleep at night. –Victor Ellsworth Thank you, Victor, for sharing your story with us. Our family stories are why we are so passionate about the work we do. If you know someone who could benefit from our services, don’t keep our work a secret! Referrals are the best compliments you can give us. Direct them to our communities at MemoryCareAmerica.com or find us on Facebook.

Harvard Health Publishing, “Strong social ties have been associated with a lower risk of dementia, as well as lower blood pressure and longer life expectancy.” Make new friends, stay in touch with family members, and maintain positive relationships in your life.

They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This is certainly true when it comes to your brain health. Do what you can today to protect your mental functions tomorrow.

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The Good Times Keep Rollin’ at Memory Care America!

Memory Care of New Braunfels seniors offer life advice to graduating seniors!

While the COVID-19 pandemic has presented many obstacles, we've still found many ways to have fun at Memory Care America. Here are a handful of ways our communities have enjoyed time together. Memory Care of New Braunfels residents honored the class of 2020 with advice. Meanwhile, the Girl Scouts of Arkansas shared yummy treats with Memory Care of Little Rock . Memory Care of Simpsonville’s luau provided tropical vibes, while Memory Care of Naples residents showed off their sweet dance moves with a music therapy party! And at Memory Care of Westover Hills , residents and staff waved to family and friends with many colorful signs at a parking lot parade.

Despite this spring’s challenges, there’s always a reason to celebrate at our

Memory Care America communities. Don’t keep our work a secret! Referrals are the best compliment you can give us. Direct others to MemoryCareAmerica.com or find us on Facebook.

A luau with sun and fun means lots of smiles at Memory Care of Simpsonville!

At Memory Care of Little Rock, the Girl Scouts provide delicious cookies for residents and our health care heroes!

A parking lot parade makes for a special day at Memory Care of Westover Hills!

Music evokes joy at Memory Care of Naples!

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to humans or the surfaces it comes into contact with. Remember, it uses mechanical methods to kill, not chemicals. This means the product is eco- friendly and safe for human contact. We believe our communities deserve this level of protection, with or without a pandemic, and that is why we are adding microSURE to our cleaning protocols, which are already effective. The safety of our residents, health care heroes, and the families who trust us to employ their loved ones depend on it.

Please contact one of our five communities if you have further questions about our cleanliness protocols. Stay safe.

SUMMER BARBECUE SUNSHINE GEMINI

FATHER’S DAY BEACH HOT PEARL

ROSE SOLSTICE

–JimWalesa Managing Partner, Memory Care America

GRILL PRIDE

For information on microSURE contact [email protected]

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

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2211 NW M ilitary H wy ., S te . 201 S an A ntonio , TX 78213 Inside 1 Fighting COVID-19 Together With microSURE 2 Harvard’s Tips to Keep Your Brain Young 2 The Ellsworths Find Peace at Memory Care of Little Rock 3 Luaus, Cookies, and Parades at Memory Care America 3 Word Search 4 Botanical Gardens in the US

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Memory Care Wellness

LIVING MUSEUMS

Our Nation’s Botanical Gardens

In 1842, the Wilkes Expedition returned from its trek across the Pacific Ocean on behalf of the United States government, having visited parts of Portugal, Brazil, Antarctica, and Fiji. Among the specimens the explorers brought back from their travels were collections of plants gathered from around the world — just what the young nation needed to start its very first botanical garden.

tour, check out these other gardens that allow you to explore without having to leave your home.

Chicago Botanic Garden In the spring, the Chicago Botanic Garden staff invited virtual visitors to join them for a nature moment. Garden staff shared images from around the 17 gardens kept there. The Chicago Botanic Garden continues to wow with virtual tours that, thanks to Google’s technology, make you feel as if you’re really there. Start your tour at ChicagoBotanic.org. Waddesdon Manor and Gardens This historic site across the pond in England gives visitors detailed virtual views of the Waddesdon Manor and its stunning gardens. Each day at Waddesdon Gardens, the staff designates a specific area as a “Silent Space,” where visitors can go to disconnect and find peace. The Gardens also created a special message for their virtual visitors that we can all take to heart: “We encourage you to find a space in your garden or in your home that feels peaceful and designate a time each day to enjoy a quiet moment of reflection.” To see this historic site for yourself, visit Waddesdon.org.uk.

George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams had a shared dream of creating a national botanical garden, but the idea didn’t really get off the ground until the

Wilkes Expedition brought back the garden’s first plants. The United States Botanic Garden (USBG) was established in Washington D.C., and four of the plants on display there today are part of the original collection brought back from the expedition. Since it’s not always possible to go on vacation and visit far-off gardens, many botanical gardens around the world have started bringing the flora right to you with virtual tours. In addition to the USBG, which offers virtual tours at USBG.gov/take-virtual-

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