Thoughts and memories may be pleasing... yet confusing or frightening when they feel disconnected.
We start by learning the life story and preferences of each person. Accommodating their habits helps each one to feel at home, and knowing their backgrounds helps staff to relate to residents and spark good memories.
Making the most of every day means living their reality, moment by moment.
Not everybody can do this. It requires flexibility, intuition and a certain sense of humor. So we hand-pick our staff and then specially train them. They know how to respond when someone feels anxious, utilizing effective communication tools to help that person feel better. Instead of correction and confrontation, caregivers use encouragement and diversion.
You might be surprised by how much genuine laughter you'll hear in a CountryHouse residence.
A daily routine is good therapy for those with dementia. Morning, afternoon and evening provide the framework for mealtimes, productive activities and periods of rest. Residents experience real family style living, with opportunities to participate in familiar tasks like shucking corn or folding clothes. Depending on past roles, these simple acts can be calming and satisfying.
Smooth transitions from one activity to the next chart a gentle course for the day.
In addition to the reassurance of daily routines, our exclusive LifeCycles curriculum incorporates another important dimension of activities. Seasonal changes, cherished holidays, generational relationships -- these represent the rhythms and life phases we all share and are grounded by, no matter what our age. They are universal experiences.
Through Lifecycles, every week is an immersion into one familiar topic or theme. Each one of the 52 weekly themes includes both grou
p and one-on-one activities; interactive activities for mind, body and spirit; sensory programming; celebrations; and special field trips. These activities provide orientation as well as fun.
Typical themes include Baby Animal Week in the spring, Heritage Week in the fall, and New Year's Week in January.
Coordinating activities are also planned each week for staff and families. Through these activities, surprising connections are made between residents, staff and families. Often, these age groups discover they have a lot more in common than they thought.
By participating in LifeCycles activities, staff members experience greater job satisfaction... which means lower turnover and better care for residents.
A diagnosis of Alzheimer's is
often more difficult for families than for their loved one. For that reason, CountryHouse provides family services through educational programs, resource materials, support
groups and special family activities.
For a person who loves an Alzheimer's victim, spiritual well-being is about finding
meaning in whatever life presents. Finding that meaning brings about healing.
And healing begins with acceptance; by facing the disease head on.
Our mission is to provide a safe, enriching and home-like environment; respectful, personalized care; and help those with memory loss find joy in the reality of the moment in which they are living. We pledge to support our families by being their partners in care and helping them cope through every step of the way.
