Memory Care Living Launches Proprietary Life Enrichment Program Across Network of Homes
Ramsey, NJ (PRWEB) October 09, 2013 -- Memory Care Living, a provider of specialized housing and care for older adults with Alzheimer’s or dementia, announced that it has begun the rollout of a proprietary life enrichment program across its 12 homes. TOUCH, a hands-on approach to daily engagement, is intended to enforce memory and physical health, spark creativity and expression, promote social interaction, and ensure overall well-being.
“The TOUCH program is designed to provide structure and depth to each of the homes’ daily routines, and is unique because it operates from a daily calendar, whereas so many memory care facilities operate from a monthly calendar,” said Christine Berkner, Director of Programming at Memory Care Living. “Without routine, residents often get more agitated, tearful and aggressive, and can be more challenging for families and staff. With this program, consistency of timing and flow are important because we believe it will eventually produce somewhat of an automatic memory for residents, helping them ease into different tasks throughout the day without causing a lot of stress.”
The program was developed by Memory Care Living and is based on extensive industry research and needs assessments executed at each of the company’s 12 homes. Research found that using consistent daily routines is helpful for maintaining functioning and reducing anxiety and stress for people with dementia and those around them. Individual home assessments found that residents would benefit from a focus on activities and stimulation in five key areas: creative and expressive, physical, social, cognitive and spiritual and emotional. The program can be individualized based on each resident’s unique preferences and abilities, and the varying atmospheres of each home.
“By implementing this program, our goal is to provide a more fulfilled lifestyle for our residents and a better experience for families visiting their loved ones. Families turn to Memory Care Living because caring for an aging loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia can be a challenge. With this program, we can provide structure that they might not be able to get elsewhere,” added Berkner.
TOUCH will be implemented across all 12 Memory Care Living homes in October. Full-time activities staff members will be responsible for tailoring the program to their homes and residents, and the program will be active seven days a week.
For more information about TOUCH, please contact Christine Berkner at christine(at)memorycareliving(dot)com or (201) 368-7070.
Jessica Callahan, Abel Communications, 717-901-4130, [email protected]
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