Sponsored content by Lisa Roberts, Brand Ave. Studios contributing writer
Visiting your aging parent, you notice the trash is piling up. Inside the refrigerator, soggy lettuce and spoiled meat are the only foods to choose from.
It’s clear. Your aging parent is no longer thriving as an independent adult. Your parent needs extra care and you’re in no place to provide the help they need. What do you do?
Consider sending your loved one to a memory care community, such as Ovation Heartwood Preserve in Omaha, Nebraska. Memory care specializes in caring for individuals with dementia, Alzheimer’s or other memory impairments. The staff at these facilities are up for the task and understand the challenges faced by aging individuals and their families. These specialized communities provide specialized dementia care and 24-hour nursing services to meet each resident’s unique needs.
For women only, Ovation launched the memory care neighborhood Meadowlark, equipped with an all-female staff. Statistically, women are vulnerable to exploitation in such environments, and Meadowlark takes comfort a step further, while providing safety, connection and friendship for female residents.
The Ovation Connections program focuses on residents’ individual preferences, delivering specialized care services and activities. Trained employees ensure residents receive the best possible support for their memory impairments.
To determine if a loved one needs memory care, watch for these signs:
Difficulty managing daily activities.
If you noticed your loved one is struggling with basic tasks, such as taking medication or preparing meals, this may indicate memory care is needed.
Increased confusion and disorientation.
Does your loved one get lost, even in familiar surroundings?
Withdrawal from social activities.
Is your loved one withdrawing from social activities? Has he or she lost interest in their hobbies? Apathy and a desire for isolation may be a sign that memory care is needed.
Changes in mood and behavior.
Have you noticed your cool as a cucumber loved one has become increasingly agitated and irritable? Crankiness may suggest a need for specialized support.
Safety concerns.
Falls or accidents can be debilitating and life-threatening. If you’ve observed an increase in this, then it’s probably time your loved one moves to a safe environment.
Unkempt appearance.
If your loved one’s personal hygiene has gone downhill and they look or smell unclean, it might be time to take a closer look and get them the help they need.
Ovation Heartwood Preserve’s Ovation Connections program supports memory care residents through various activities and therapies.
They are:
- Tactile therapy: Sensory boxes and puzzles to engage the senses.
- Art therapy: Encourages expression and improves motor skills.
- Music therapy: Inspires calm feelings and enhances memory.
- Pet visits: Alleviate anxiety and loneliness.
- Validation therapy: Emphasizes emotion over facts.
- Aroma connections: Provides comfort through scents.
- Therapeutic horticulture: Improves motor skills and reduces depression.
- Circadian lighting: Promotes better sleep and boosts the immune system.
- Technology activities: Introduces residents to new skills.
- Group activities: Brings neighbors together for social interaction.
When you recognize the signs that a loved one may need memory care, take a moment and research memory care communities. Tailored care like Ovation Heartwood Preserve’s Ovation Connections program may help your loved ones live their best lives.
