Two senior living communities have launched initiatives to elevate care for residents living with dementia and other cognitive issues.
Ascent Living Communities has launched Bridge to Belonging in two of its five Colorado communities — Hilltop Reserve in Denver, and Village a Belmar in Lakewood — to help residents and their families bridge the gap between traditional assisted living resources and memory care with more personalized services.
The research-based pilot program was designed by Amelia Schafer, Ascent Living Communities area director of memory care, and drives the care of individuals with mild cognitive impairment and early to moderate dementia. It is the first concierge-level program in Colorado and one of just a few formal programs available nationwide, according to the company.
The program will supplement daily needs, provide routines, cognitive stimulation and consistency. Schaefer said the program is “built around the power of human connection and relationships, with caregivers identifying specific needs and changes in functionality in residents.
“Mild cognitive impairment and dementia throw barriers at the individual, the caregivers and family members,” Schaefer said. “We are removing the barriers that impede engagement and feed the decline of so many older adults with mild cognitive impairment.”
Bridge to Belonging members can participate in all group events, from breakfast to dinner, seven days a week, or pick and choose which activities and times they prefer. The program includes learning and cognitive stimulation through new skills and experiences, intellectual conversations, music and movement and emotional support.
“Our team knows exactly how and what to look for and is able to use that relationship-focused knowledge to help encourage and drive daily-safe interaction and engagement,” Schafer said. “Our team sees the world through our residents’ eyes and minds as they make it comfortable and inviting to participate in activities that help drive their overall well-being.”
Person-centered care, resident engagement
Meanwhile, Anthem Memory Care, an Oregon-based management company of stand-alone memory care communities, is building on its Pathways of Purpose initiatives, which aim to create meaningful engagement for residents.
Introduced last year, Pathways of Purpose is a tailored approach to activities that affirms each resident’s identity and creates opportunities for connections within their community. The person-centered care philosophy is meant to counter the gradual disengagement from themselves and others experienced by individuals living with dementia.
But the company realized the program was more than an engagement program. Vice President of Programs and Engagement Michael Zywicki told McKnight’s Senior Living that Anthem realized that “living the program as a culture” made staff members feel as if they were part of the bigger picture. Staff members, he said, get to know residents at a more intimate level in smaller settings, which has led to reduced medication use to address behaviors.
“We teach staff that if you look at it from how to engage a resident to be part of an activity instead of looking at it as a task, things may go smoother,” Zywicki said. “In this industry, it’s common that we don’t look at the person and their capabilities. We need to get these tasks done. Sometimes, it results in a resident starting their day much differently than looking at a different perspective of how we look at our residents.”
By helping staff members engage with residents rather than view everything as a task, Zywicki said, the program has led to communities seeing less resident wandering and agitation. Staff members also are buying into the approach more and noticing that their jobs are easier and more fulfilling, he said.
“It’s not a battle with the resident; we’re now providing the care together,” Zywicki said. “We’re supporting the residents here.”
All Anthem managers also earn the certified dementia practitioner certification, and staff members receive Alzheimer’s Association certification. Zywicki said that all staff members now have the knowledge to step in if they see something occurring that should be addressed, which creates teachable moments that are discussed as they happen so that everyone on a shift understands the process.
“The culture piece is a big thing,” Zywicki said. “We’re trying to look at just how we do everything differently now. It’s been a great epiphany for us. One slogan is, ‘If you can get a smile out of somebody, you’re doing something right.”
Anthem was the first stand-alone memory care operator to achieve recognition at all of its communities for its commitment to promoting a safer and healthier environment under the WELL Health-Safety Rating, in 2022.
