New Memory Care Unit Aims for Dignity and Safety

Some people with early-stage dementia have a stunning ability to hide the early signs of their dementia from those closest to them – even from their own children.

Once children do notice their parents are beginning to forget how to do everyday activities or care for themselves, they start looking for ways to keep their parents safe, which is where memory care facilities at assisted living centers such as become, quite literally, life savers.

This spring, Traditions of Wayland opened its Reflections facility, an assisted living memory care unit designed for individuals who need a extra help along with the safety of a memory care unit, but aren’t to the point of needing full-time nursing care.

“The need just keeps growing,” said Seth Peters, marketing director at Traditions, discussing why Traditions created its memory care facility. “We were transitioning folks to other communities [prior to opening the memory care unit], but families told us, ‘They love it here. We want them to stay here.’

“If you want to help seniors, this [memory care] is something you need to provide."

So Traditions converted part of its existing first floor into a memory care facility that can accommodate up to 17 individuals. Currently the facility houses 12 residents, some who transferred to the Reflections unit from within Traditions and others who moved into Traditions after the memory facility opened.

Reflections Director Lori Kalinoski said Traditions hired all new staff who had additional training to care for individuals in the memory care unit. “It takes a different skill set,” Kalinoski explained, adding that the state requires additional hours of training for memory care staff. “[Staff need] the ability to redirect and enter folks’ reality and where they’re at. They [residents] get upset because they don’t remember how they take their coffee, and we have to anticipate that.

“We want to ensure success every day.”

Besides being equipped to help residents accomplish day-to-day tasks, Reflections is a safe place from which residents cannot simply wander out and get lost as happened to a Brookline woman with Alzheimer’s in early October.

The entry door to the Reflections area is keypad controlled, Peters explained. Residents cannot accidentally wander out, but most of them, Peters said, don’t even realize they can’t walk out the front door since Reflections provides everything they need.

Residents take their chef-prepared meals in a comfortable eating area and watch TV in a community living room of sorts (Though they can have televisions in their rooms as well). Peters and Kalinoski said that exposure to sunlight is extremely important for seniors as it is a source of vitamin D and helps with overall mood; with that in mind, the Reflections unit features access to a private  courtyard.

“The first and most important thing, is this is a safe place,” Peters said he explains to families who inquire about a parent or spouse moving into Reflections. “And then what comes into play is stimulation.

“People do better longer if they are getting regular exercise and getting outdoors,” he said. “Humans are social beings. These folks are craving interaction.”

Kalinoski said the facility works with its residents to make sure they are able to pursue their favorite hobbies. She cited a couple of gentlemen who like to golf. Because getting them to a golf course regularly is difficult, the center has begun encouraging the men to satisfy their golf fix on an indoor putting green.

“You don’t lose any rights,” Kalinoski said. “We’re big on dignity here. This is your home. All we’ve added is a safe environment.”

In addition to the public areas, residents have either private or semi-private unfurnished apartments equipped with full bathroom facilities and a galley-style kitchen. Kalinoski said some residents, especially those who are accustomed to living with another person, find it comforting to have a roommate in the semi-private rooms.

“There’s a misconception about what this [a memory care unit] is,” Peters said. “People are scared of it and they picture the worst. The truth is many of these people still have good memories, and I have great conversations with them.

“These folks need to be given a lot more credit for who they still are.”

Because Reflections is a new facility, the residents are all in early-stage dementia at this time. Kalinoski said the hope is that each resident will “age in place,” and live their remaining days at Traditions of Wayland.

But, Kalinoski reiterated, the Reflections unit is still an assisted living facility just like the other section of Traditions at Wayland. Staff in Reflections can offer specialized assistance, such as reminding residents the process for brushing their teeth, but if a resident begins to require full-time assistance, Kalinoski said she will approach the resident’s family about finding a more appropriate facility.