Two women are changing the face of dementia care in Fairfax County

Erika Young and Yvonne Reese are leading the team at Arbor Terrace Fairfax, a state-of-the-art senior living community designed entirely for those with memory loss and dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. We asked them to tell us why they consider this new project to be "the new signature of memory care" in Fairfax.

Why is Arbor Terrace Fairfax the new signature of senior living and memory care?

Erika: Memory care is all we do. Because that is our focus and our staff is specially trained in caring for
residents with dementia, we offer a cutting-edge approach to the stages of memory loss.

Yvonne: And our Dining with Dignity® program, a special meal preparation technique for seniors with dementia, and meaningful engagement activities will help foster independence for all of our residents.

Erika: Everyone on our team receives ongoing training in how to interact with residents who have dementia and make deep connections with them. We focus on what remains rather than what has been lost. In that way we are able to help every resident engage in meaningful activities throughout the day.

What resources do you have for families dealing with dementia?

Yvonne: If you're just looking for something to read, we have a host of resources and guides on our website that specifically deal with dementia, such as our guide to knowing the warning signs of dementia. And our blog has several articles that relate to dementia care and Alzheimer's disease.

Erika: We often find that families use us as a resource as well. We are experienced in the care of seniors with dementia and can point families in the right direction. Often times it is just helpful to talk to someone who understands what your family is feeling. We're here for that, even if you don't think that a memory care community is the right step for you right now.

What is the best way for families to learn about the Arbor Terrace approach to memory care?

Yvonne: If you have a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, we invite you to come visit us in our information center where we can show you how everything from our community design to daily activities can help them have a meaningful, safe experience. The information center is now open at 3901 Centerview Drive, Suite A, Chantilly, VA 20151 (a map is available for download). Our phone number is 703-810-3992.