Discover practical tips for celebrating the holidays with loved ones who have dementia. Learn from Park’s Place Memory Care how to make these moments joyful and comfortable.
Introduction
The holiday season is a time of joy, warmth, and family gatherings. However, for families caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, it can also bring unique challenges. At Park’s Place Memory Care, we understand these challenges and are here to offer guidance and support to make your holiday celebrations as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
Understanding the Needs of Individuals with Dementia During Holidays
Dementia can significantly impact how a person experiences the holidays. The hustle and bustle, while festive, can be overwhelming. It’s crucial to adjust your expectations and create a dementia-friendly environment. This includes keeping routines as regular as possible and minimizing overly stimulating activities.
Practical Tips for Visits and Outings
When planning visits or outings, consider the best time of day for your loved one. Smaller, quieter gatherings are often more enjoyable than large, noisy parties. Keep activities simple and familiar, like looking through old photo albums or listening to favorite music. Our team at Park’s Place Memory Care can offer personalized advice for your specific situation.
Recognizing Signs of Stress and Overload
It’s important to watch for signs of stress in your loved one, such as agitation or confusion. If these occur, provide a quiet space for them to relax. Remember, it’s okay to take a break and step away from festivities to ensure their comfort.
Engaging Activities for the Holiday Season
Engaging in simple activities can make the holidays special. Consider crafts that evoke memories, like decorating a family photo frame. Music is also a wonderful way to connect, as it can trigger happy memories and emotions. These activities align with the care approach at Park’s Place, where we focus on creating meaningful experiences for our residents.
The Role of Park’s Place Memory Care
At Park’s Place Memory Care, we specialize in providing compassionate, personalized care for individuals with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Our experienced staff are trained to understand the unique needs of our residents, making us an ideal partner in your caregiving journey. We invite you to contact us for more information or to schedule a visit to see how we can help make your holidays, and every day, better.
Conclusion
While the holidays can be challenging for those caring for loved ones with dementia, with understanding and patience, they can also be a time of joy and nostalgia. Remember, you’re not alone in this journey. Park’s Place Memory Care is here to support you every step of the way, ensuring that the holiday season is enjoyable for everyone.
At Parks’ Place Memory Care, we believe in the power of community. We recently had the distinct honor of hosting a group of esteemed community leaders for a special luncheon at our facility. This event was about sharing a meal, opening our doors and fostering connections with the community we proudly serve.
Among the distinguished guests were the Plymouth Chief of Police, Eric Fadden, and the former Mayor, now a dedicated Met Council member, Judy Johnson. They, along with ten other influential business leaders, graced our dining hall, making the event truly memorable.
Our very own Chef Garrett outdid himself, preparing a lunch that was both delicious and visually appealing. The meal was a great example of the high standards and quality food we serve every day at Parks’ Place. We take pride not just in our care but in every aspect of our residents’ experience.
The highlight of the luncheon was a heartfelt presentation by Karen Parks. She shared the mission and vision of Parks’ Place, providing our guests with a deeper understanding of our commitment to excellence in memory care. It was an opportunity for our guests to hear about our dedication to providing a nurturing environment for our residents and the passion that drives our team.
Our attendees didn’t just hear about our values; they witnessed them. They saw firsthand the love, care, and dedication our staff bring to Parks’ Place every single day. It was a vivid demonstration of our ethos in action, and we hope it left a lasting impression on our esteemed guests. It was a testament to our reputation as a leading memory care facility in Plymouth, Minnesota.
In conclusion, we are grateful for the opportunity to connect with community leaders and share the Parks’ Place story. We remain committed to being an integral part of the community, and we look forward to more such engagements in the future.
At Parks Place Memory Care, we honor and celebrate the extraordinary men and fathers who have touched our lives. On June 16th, we hosted a special event, “Breakfast with the Guys,” to commemorate Father’s Day in a truly memorable way. Join us as we reflect on the heartwarming moments and explore how Parks Place consistently goes above and beyond to honor our residents and provide engaging activities.
Honoring Fathers and Men:
“Breakfast with the Guys” was a heartfelt tribute to our fathers and men, acknowledging their invaluable contributions and the love they bring to our lives. We believe in going the extra mile to make our residents feel cherished, and the event allowed us to express our deep appreciation for their presence in our community.
Providing Unique and Engaging Activities:
At Parks Place Memory Care, we strive to create a vibrant and engaging environment for our residents. “Breakfast with the Guys” was just one example of the many special activities we organize throughout the year. From themed parties and creative workshops to family carnivals and personalized experiences, we are dedicated to providing unique opportunities that bring joy and fulfillment to our residents’ lives.
The Power of Meaningful Connections:
“Breakfast with the Guys” showcased the power of connections and the strong sense of community at Parks Place. It was a moment for our residents, staff, and the Plymouth First Responders to come together and forge new bonds. Stories were shared, creating an atmosphere of warmth, gratitude, and togetherness.
Conclusion:
“Breakfast with the Guys” was a heartwarming event that celebrated the cherished fathers and men at Parks Place Memory Care. With a delicious spread of pancakes and bacon, we delighted in the simple joys of shared meals and meaningful conversations. This event exemplified our commitment to honoring our residents and providing engaging activities that enhance their overall well-being.
At Parks Place Memory Care, we continue to seek out opportunities to create unique experiences and foster connections among our residents and the wider community. Through our dedication and personalized approach to memory care, we strive to make each day special and meaningful.
Discover the exceptional care and engaging activities at Parks Place Memory Care. Visit our website today to learn more about our personalized memory care services and how we honor and celebrate the remarkable individuals in our community.
The summer solstice carnival at Parks Place Memory Care was truly a night to remember! I had the pleasure of attending this wonderful event, and I have to say I was blown away by the joy and laughter that filled the air.
Delicious Treats: Our culinary team served up tasty treats, including corn dogs and various snacks and beverages. The blue raspberry snow cone was a crowd favorite, providing a refreshing and sweet dessert option.
Balloons, Caricatures, and Fun: A talented balloon artist delighted guests with their creative balloon twisting, making a variety of shapes such as flowers, puppies, and more. Our caricature artist captured the unique characteristics of each person in their drawings, providing a personalized keepsake. Due to popular demand, we plan to invite the artist back for future events.
Games, Prizes, and Rubber Duckies: Guests and residents enjoyed the friendly competition at our carnival games, including Plinko, flick the Chicken, and a rubber duckie matching game. Winners received exciting prizes, adding to the fun and excitement.
Temporary Tattoos and Expressive Art: Our dedicated volunteer offered a selection of temporary tattoos, allowing residents and guests to express themselves with colorful designs. From unicorns and dinosaurs to Marvel characters and flowers, there was something for everyone to enjoy.
Melodies and Music: The duo Amy and Adams provided live music, creating a pleasant atmosphere and enhancing the overall enjoyment of the event.
A Night to Remember: The summer solstice carnival was a resounding success, thanks to the efforts of our dedicated staff and the enthusiastic participation of our residents, families, and friends. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to everyone who made this event truly special.
At Parks Place Memory Care, we continuously strive to create engaging and memorable experiences for our residents. Our goal is to bring joy, connection, and lasting memories to their lives. We invite you to join us for future events as we prioritize the well-being and happiness of our residents.
Thank you to all who contributed to the success of the summer solstice carnival. We look forward to creating more treasured moments together!
Discover the vibrant events at Parks Place Memory Care. Visit our website to learn more about our commitment to providing exceptional care and creating joyful experiences for our residents and their families.
Taking away the car keys is no simple task. It is much more than operating a machine, there are many emotions tied to driving a vehicle. Think back to when you got your driver’s license, and the feelings of independence and freedom that came with it. Getting your driver’s license was one of the steps towards adulthood. Now, imagine what it would feel like to have your license or the car keys taken away. It could be utter devastation, even when necessary.
Driving a vehicle is a complex task, your hands and feet need to operate quickly to push the appropriate pedal, turn the correct direction, use the correct lever, push the correct button, etc. In addition, you need to know where to go and respond to what is happening around you. As cognition declines, these tasks (which have become automatic) become increasingly difficult and can become dangerous for the driver and others on the road. The driver may or may not recognize that he or she is not driving safely. Some people voluntarily will give up the keys, others will not. Family members and caregivers need to be diligent in their observation of their loved one’s driving ability. And when the time comes, approach their loved one with compassion, kindness, and creativity.
Parks’ Place Memory Care is a privately owned assisted living home, specialized and specifically designed for those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Our home is for people of any stage of dementia so they are able to age-in-place in their home. For tours, general information, or admission inquiry, please contact Kaitlin Kelly at 763-710-8484.
Just as certain foods can be good for heart health, lowering cholesterol, or managing diabetes, certain foods have shown to be beneficial for brain health. You’ll see that many of the foods that are good for your brain are also good for your heart. While this information does not replace recommendations from your doctor, it may give you a few ideas of foods to incorporate into your daily diet to help improve or maintain your brain health.
Fruit – Berries contain pigments that give them their color, these pigments are called flavonoids. Research has shown that flavonoids help to improve memory.
Vegetables – Green, leafy vegetables are rich in vitamin K, lutein, folate, and beta carotene. Try incorporating kale, spinach, collards, and broccoli in your diet to get these nutrients. According to the research, these foods may help to slow cognitive decline.
Fish – Fatty fish are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids; these healthy, unsaturated fats have been linked to lower blood levels of beta-amyloid (the protein that accumulates in the brain with Alzheimer’s disease). Low mercury options include salmon, cod, canned light tuna, and pollack. Other good sources of omega-3 are flaxseeds, avocados, and walnuts.
Nuts – As mentioned above, walnuts are a great source of healthy fats, particularly a fatty acid called alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). ALA helps to lower blood pressure and protects arteries, beneficial for both the heart and brain.
These suggestions are just the tip of the iceberg for brain health. Other non-food factors to pay attention to are your exercise and sleep habits. Both play an important role in your brain health. If you’re interested in learning more about foods to eat for brain health, consult with your doctor or a registered dietician, as they can give specific recommendations for you. And, if you suffer from poor sleep habits or don’t have an exercise routine, be sure to ask your doctor about those, too!
The sources used for this blog post can be found here and here.
Parks’ Place Memory Care is a privately owned assisted living home, specialized and specifically designed for those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Our home is for people of any stage of dementia so they are able to age-in-place in their home. For tours, general information, or admission inquiry, please contact Kaitlin Kelly at 763-710-8484.
Monday, the 18th, there was an electric feeling in the air at Parks’ Place – we hosted a vaccine clinic for our residents, staff, and essential caregivers to receive the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine!
We turned our clinic into a party to celebrate this first step in protecting our residents and the first step towards normalcy. Our party was complete with balloons, cookies, streamers, and a photo station! As the essential caregivers began to arrive, we could feel the sense of community and comradery among the residents’ families. We started to feel like our “old selves” before COVID, and the family-filled home we always intended to be.
We aren’t through with COVID quite yet, but the vaccine clinic brought the first ray of hope of a post-COVID world.
Parks’ Place Memory Care is a privately owned assisted living home, specialized and specifically designed for those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Our home is for people of any stage of dementia so residents are able to age-in-place in their home. For tours, general information, or admission inquiry, please contact Kaitlin Kelly at 763-710-8484.
As it becomes apparent that your loved one needs extra support in his or her daily life, it can be difficult to know the necessary type of support. There is a large continuum of care available to elders with many more options than 50 years ago. So, how do you know what type of care fits your loved ones needs? How can the care adapt as your loved one’s needs change?
First, let’s take a look at two models used to inform care and when a move or transition is needed: the Person-Environment Fit Model (P-E Fit) and Transitions Theory. These are models used in the gerontological field to help determine care settings.
Person-Environment Fit Model (P-E Fit)
The P-E Fit Model provides insight into the person and environmental factors that influence health outcomes, in other words, it is focused on the relationship between the person and the environment he or she is living in. Below is a graphic description of this model. The y-axis is personal competence; this is the health, cognition, motor skills, and sensory perception of the individual; in other words, their physical and cognitive abilities. The x-axis is the environmental press, meaning the demands the environment places upon the person living there. Think of the demands of the environment as the tasks that need to be completed to live in that environment, such as household chores, home maintenance, shopping, cleaning, etc. and the personal tasks like managing medications, eating, toileting, grooming, bathing, dressing, etc. Basically, the higher the environmental press, the higher the personal competence needed to live in that environment.
The area where personal competence and environmental press meet is depicted as a band. If the elder falls within this band, he or she would be “in fit”, meaning his or her abilities align with the demands of the environment. If the elder does not fall within the band, he or she would be “out of fit”, meaning their personal abilities do not align with the demands of their environment. If someone is out of fit, they cannot safely live in that environment and two things can happen: the environment can be adapted or there can be changes to the personal competence through another person supporting him or her.
How does the environment adapt? It can adapt in multiple ways. The place of living can be simplified physically by eliminating trip hazards, putting everything needed on one level, eliminating clutter or too many items, etc. Or, the environment can be changed by moving to an assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing facility, etc. based on the needs of that individual. By changing the environment to a level that matches the personal competence, the person can thrive in fit.
How can personal competence adapt? To expect that a person with dementia will adapt to meet the demands of environmental press is unrealistic. But, that does not mean that someone else cannot bridge that gap. If the person with dementia is living at home or in independent living, a family member or hired in-home care could provide the competence needed. If the person with dementia is in assisted living, the care staff may bridge the gap. But, there will come a time when the needs of the person with dementia will outgrow what the assisted living can provide.
Transitions Theory
In Transitions Theory, a transition occurs when the individual’s established behavior patterns are no longer adequate for the demands of the situation and the assumptions about oneself or the world are challenged. The transition is subjective to each individual to the recognition of change, meaning a transition happens when the person can perceive there is a change happening. Commonly occurring transitions later in life include relocation, changes in health or function, loss of relationships, and role changes. A transition can trigger another transition, for example, loss of function can trigger a need for relocation, which can cause disorientation.
Memory Care or Assisted Living?
Now let us circle back to making a decision between a memory care or an assisted living. Using what we know about P-E Fit and Transitions Theory can help us make a decision. No one is a fortuneteller who can predict the future, but you are able to make educated choices to help reduce rocky changes.
It is important to understand the services available in each setting, how the services can grow with the resident, and any limitations in services. Let’s take a look at the average assisted living and the average memory care home in the chart below, please note this is not an exhaustive list.
Assisted Living
Memory care
Available Services
Environmental support (i.e. Housekeeping and laundry). Assistance with ADLs. Simple physical environment. Signage for cuing. Visible staff. Structured social activities. Health monitoring.
Environmental support (i.e. Housekeeping and laundry). Assistance with ADLs. Simple physical environment. Signage for cuing. Visible staff. Structured social activities. Health monitoring. Managing symptoms of dementia. Specialized activities for people with dementia. Dementia specific staff training. Secured entry.
Limitations
Managing symptoms of dementia past early stage. Specialized activities for people with dementia. Health condition that requires 24 hour monitoring by a nurse. Managing behavioral symptoms.
Health condition that requires 24 hour monitoring by a nurse. Unsafe behavioral symptoms by residents.
How do you know what is right for you? We are not able to answer that for you, but you can apply this information to the unique situation of your loved one and his or her needs. You can assess the needs, personal competence, environmental press, and transitions and make an informed decision for or with your loved one.
What Can Parks’ Place Memory Care Provide?
Park’s Place provides all the items listed under the average memory care and much, much more. So what sets us apart? Using both P-E Fit Model and Transitions Theory, three major ways to assist residents are to improve personal competence, bolster the environment, support transitions, or a combination of all three. Which is exactly what we do.
Improve Personal Competence. As stated earlier in this blog, it is an unrealistic expectation that someone living with dementia will be able to improve his or her personal competence. If you are searching for a memory care for your loved one, he or she passed the point of being able to adapt their personal competence. But, our staff is able to bridge the gap so their personal competence meets the environmental press. For example, we provide assistance for any and all cares from a simple verbal cue to full hands-on assist. We are able to meet the needs of the resident wherever he or she is in their dementia journey and expand cares as time goes on.
Additionally, our specialized activity program is designed to be a form of treatment for dementia, not just something for the residents to pass the time. The activity program helps to orient the residents to the time of day and works within their abilities so that they feel a sense of purpose and productivity. Because the activity program works within the ability of the residents, it matches their personal competence. We will also look at activities while discussing transitions.
Bolster the Environment. Our home was designed for the person living with dementia. It is single level with a simple, flowing footprint to allow for residents to safely walk or wander without getting lost. We are barrier free so residents do not feel a sense of confinement. Our main area has all the elements of a regular home, including a kitchen, living room, TV room, and a sunroom. It is designed to make you feel at home and not in an institution. This helps to reduce the feeling of living in a facility to just moving to a new home, therefore reducing the sense of change for the resident. Additionally, the overall design and services we provide reduce environmental press for the resident and allows residents to live in fit.
Support Transitions. As we learned, transitions are not only environmental transitions like moving to a new home, but also cognitive, physical, and emotional. The environmental transition of moving to a new home will vary from person to person, for some it may be a big change, for others not so much. Our home is for people of all stages of dementia so they will only need to move once, and experience that transition once, during their dementia journey. Cognitively, as people transition from one stage to the next, we are able to meet them where they are and adjust the cares, communication, and activities as necessary. Physically, people with dementia will need more assistance as they progress. They may go from walking and transferring unassisted to needing a one-person assist, to a two-person assist, to needing a mechanical lift. Changes in physical ability will also affect other areas such as lifting their arms to wash their body in the shower to lifting eating utensils. We are able to support our residents during each one of these transitions by increasing the hands-on level of care. Emotionally, as people age they will begin to lose relationships and friends as the resident is no longer able to recognize friends and family members or those close to them pass away. Our staff provides emotional support in a variety of ways, by gently reminding residents who their visitors are, providing friendship, and by being a kind, trusted person to provide cares. We also can design activities or have activities available for residents that are reminiscent or purposeful for them. These types of activities help to smooth transitions by reducing the perception of a change for the person with dementia.
To learn more about Parks’ Place and how we can support your loved one, call Kaitlin at 612-358-3725 or email her at Kaitlin.kelly@parksplacememorycare.com.
The source used for this blog post can be found here.
Parks’ Place Memory Care is a privately owned assisted living home, specialized and specifically designed for those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Our home is for people of any stage of dementia so they are able to age-in-place in their home. For tours, general information, or admission inquiry, please contact Kaitlin Kelly at 612-358-3725.
Early diagnosis of dementia is crucial to preventing a crisis and for planning treatment and care. It is difficult to tell if cognition changes are simply age related changes (normal aging) or dementia (not normal aging).
Therefore, knowing when to seek in-home care or place a loved one in a senior living home is very difficult to judge. This is especially true for individuals without a serious medical condition outside of their cognitive changes.
What is the difference between simple forgetfulness and a serious memory loss?
Here are some warning signs of memory loss that may signal the need for assistance care. They were gathered from a variety of sources:
Does he/she repeat questions more frequently?
Yes
No
Does he/she exhibit poor grooming and personal hygiene
Yes
No
Does he/she forget to take medications or take them incorrectly?
Yes
No
Has there been a change in eating habits or loss of appetite?
Yes
No
Is outdated food in the refrigerator or little nutritious food?
Yes
No
Has driving been impaired? Frequent accidents?
Yes
No
Is he/she increasingly forgetful?
Yes
No
Is he/she moody or depressed?
Yes
No
Has there been a loss of interest in socializing?
Yes
No
Is he/she less interested in former activities?
Yes
No
Is he/she unsteady on her feet or does she fall frequently?
Yes
No
Does he/she have difficulty concentrating?
Yes
No
Does he/she exhibit poor judgment?
Yes
No
Is he/she incontinent?
Yes
No
Is there trouble handling finances? Are there unpaid bills?
Yes
No
Does he/she spend long periods of time doing nothing?
Yes
No
Have others noticed personality changes?
Yes
No
Is there unopened mail lying around?
Yes
No
Is there poor housekeeping or unsafe conditions?
Yes
No
Does he/she have trouble making decisions?
Yes
No
Does he/she get lost?
Yes
No
Does he/she have trouble finding the right words?
Yes
No
Does he/she wear the same clothes over and over again?
Yes
No
This is also available here has a printable worksheet to fill out and bring to your next appointment with your physician.
See your physician for further evaluation if you have answered “yes” to a majority of these questions. Then call us to learn more about our home and how we can serve your loved one on his or her dementia journey.
Parks’ Place Memory Care is a privately owned assisted living home, specialized and specifically designed for those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Our home is for people of any stage of dementia so they are able to age-in-place in their home. For tours, general information, or admission inquiry, please contact Kaitlin Kelly at 612-358-3725.
Karen and Jerry Parks joined a brand new chorus group 6 years ago, not knowing that in a few short years it would inspire chorus groups across the country and the world.
Inaugural Members
In 2014 the Giving Voice Chorus was created when two faculty members who had cared for a loved one with dementia were impressed by the research about the powerful effects of music on the lives of people with dementia. The chorus started with just 30 inaugural members from across the metro area, but word spread quickly throughout the dementia community about the fantastic new chorus group and it rapidly expanded to three choruses, totaling just under 200 members.
A fourth chorus group has been added for fall of 2020 to accommodate the growing interest. If you are interested in joining, click here to go to the registration webpage. Additionally, Giving Voices assists the Amazing Grace chorus in St. Paul, an African-American chorus group.
Finding Camaraderie and Purpose
Chorus members will tell you that rehearsal day is their favorite day of the week. The motto of the group is “there is no wrong in this room” meaning, there is no stigma, no judgement, no negativity—only acceptance, friendship, and support. Worrying about judgment and insensitivity from others when out in the community washes away when members arrive for rehearsal. For many of them, chorus practice is the only time they can be themselves. The joy, comradery, sense of purpose, and acceptance the chorus members feel at rehearsal led to the rapid expansion in the metro area and has led to the creation of chorus groups across the country and the world.
Inspiring Chorus Groups across the Country and around the World
Word of Giving Voice spread far beyond the metro area. Chorus groups have sprung up throughout Minnesota and 16 other states. Worldwide, you will find chorus groups in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom, all inspired by Giving Voice. If you are interested in creating a group in your area, click here.
Love Never Forgets
The chorus received a grant through Healing & Hope Through Song, an American Composers Forum for a lyricist and a composer to write original songs about the experiences of the members of the chorus. The song topics ranged from slowly losing a loved one over time, living in the moment, and looking forward to the cookies after rehearsal. The composers were originally supposed to create two songs, but they ended up writing nine original songs.
The chorus began conversations with The Ordway about performing their original songs. The performance quickly sold out all 2206 seats! This performance was evidence that people with dementia can learn new things. The performance was truly incredible, the lyrics bringing the audience and singers alike to tears. It was a major accomplishment for the chorus members living with dementia to learn and perform new songs. The excitement and sense of accomplishment was tangible as the performance came to a close. Twin Cities PBS created a segment about the performance (which won them an Emmy!), the segment can be viewed here.
Giving Voice at Grand Opening
As part of our Grand Opening the Giving Voice Chorus graced us with their presence as they filled our home with joyous singing. Approximately 30 members of the chorus joined us in our sunroom and sang out into our great room filled with guests to celebrate our opening!
Karen Parks kicking off the performance with Giving Voice at Grand Opening October 13, 2019.
The Pandemic Pivot
Due to coronavirus, the chorus was not able to rehearse in person. They quickly pivoted to virtual rehearsals to keep their members engaged and connected. To see the video they created for the end of the summer session, titled You = Joy & Belonging, click here.
Parks’ Place Memory Care is a privately owned assisted living home, specialized and specifically designed for those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Our home is for people of any stage of dementia so they are able to age-in-place in their home. For tours, general information, or admission inquiry, please contact Kaitlin Kelly at 612-358-3725.
