Paradise Living Centers a specialist in Alzheimer’s Care?

Caring for an aging parent or loved one experiencing memory decline or cognitive aging is one thing, but caregiving for an Alzheimer’s suffer is a different matter. Unless you are an expert in Alzheimer’s care, most caregivers or family members are learning about the signs or behaviors of the disease after the fact.

An outside point of view from a Certified Dementia Practitioner or medical professional is probably the most valuable input due to their impartiality. It can be difficult to come to terms with the fact that your loved one is not just experiencing memory decline, but is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. It is a lot to process. The needs of your loved one become much more apparent after a diagnosis is provided. Often times, the caregiver is no longer able to meet the needs of their loved one. The next challenge is finding the best way to provide your loved one the specialized care that is required and deserved, which allows them also to live with this disease in a dignified manner.

What Alzheimer’s care at Paradise Living Centers looks like?

Paradise Living Centers prides itself with the ability to offer the best in quality care. All our caregivers are certified by the state of Arizona. Caregiving is a vocation for our team, not just a job. Our full-time nurse, Tracy Strand is available on call 24/7 and works closely with the caregivers to enhance the care and well-being of our residents. Our Care Manager, Kristie Chadwick is a Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP®) with comprehensive knowledge in the area of dementia care and she has completed the Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia care course. The CDP® certification reflects a deep personal commitment on Kristie’s part to the quality of care given to our residents diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or Dementia.

Memory care at Paradise Living Centers

In addition to Kristie and Tracy working with our caregivers, the residents’ primary care physician and their loved ones, and family members, they are always looking for ways to enhance the level of care we provide. We also work with memory care professionals from A Wiser Mind to provide on-site, one-on-one engaging sessions to delay cognitive decline. The sessions are designed to meet the specific needs and abilities of each resident.

To learn more about our memory care programs or to schedule a tour of our assisted living homes in either Paradise Valley or Central Phoenix, call Kristie Chadwick at 480.878.4112. We encourage you to meet our team and find out more about our services and the quality care we provide.

The Myths and Facts Surrounding Cognitive Aging

You leave the house to buy groceries, or to head to work – but you’ve forgotten your wallet. Or your keys. Or phone.

Mental missteps are commonplace – everyone has gone through this scenario. Substitute the destination and forgotten item with different factors but the situation is the same. As these forgetful instances become more and more frequent while we age, the stigma and personal worry that results can be especially damaging.

However – it is important to note that while cognitive aging can be somewhat distressing, there is nothing abnormal about it. Though less frequent, we experience the same forgetfulness in our youth as we do in our elder years. From the moment we are born, we progress through different stages of cognitive aging.

Cognitive aging is not a disease – nor is it as debilitating as real neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s or dementia. According to a report released by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, “wisdom and expertise can increase with age, while speed of processing, decision-making, and some types of memory may decline. Cognitive aging may affect daily tasks such as paying bills, driving, following recipes, and adhering to medication schedules.”

There are many different ways to inhibit the negative side effects of cognitive aging. Remaining physically active, managing cardiovascular disease risks, and keeping an open channel of communication with your health care professional can all help mitigate the aging process.

While it may seem obvious, staying engaged intellectually and socially with those around you has also been cited as a way to combat forgetfulness. If a friend or loved one is experiencing symptoms of cognitive aging, lessen the stigma through minimizing your reaction. Making a big deal out of a simple mistake like those listed above is not a helpful response for anyone involved.

Cognitive aging can be a difficult period of decline for anyone experiencing the signs, but if you’re worried about someone living through it independently contact Paradise Living Centers to discuss your options: 602-550-1247.

Memory Care for Seniors

According to the Alzheimer’s Association more than 5 million Americans are living with the disease. The epidemic affects 1 in 9 Americans over the age of 65. These staggering numbers will continue to grow as our population is living longer. It is important that we educate ourselves on the disease and find ways to combat the epidemic while we wait for science to develop a cure.

At Paradise Living Center memory care sessions are offered to all our residents and we work with an expert team from BrainCare to provide tailored one-on-one sessions to meet the individual needs of our residents.

Memory care is a therapy that is designed to help delay cognitive decline. Memory care is activity based and the exercises provide mental stimulation that concentrate on six mind functions:

Memory
Quantitative thinking
Abstract thinking
Emotive Expression
Visual, spatial and tactical abilities
Speed of processing

The activities that memory care offers provide routine and can make the best of the person’s ability. Studies suggest that the brain needs repetition and challenges help it to work better. Memory care activities are designed to reduce behaviors such as agitation and wandering. The activities create a sense of togetherness between the individual and the caregiver which in turn builds that sense of security.

At Paradise Living Center we ask our residents to join in fun activities such as “Brainiversity” every Thursday. These activities bring residents together socially while providing stimulation.

If you are caring for a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease it is important to have a schedule so you can plan to fit memory care activities into their day. Online sources are a good place to start when looking for activity ideas.

Seniors Guide recommends 10 quick tips when engaging in activities at home with your loved one:

1. Be flexible and patient
2. Encourage involvement in daily life
3. Avoid correcting the person
4. Help the person remain as independent as possible
5. Offer opportunities for choice
6. Simplify instructions
7. Establish a familiar routine
8. Respond to the person’s feelings
9. Simplify, structure and supervise
10. Provide encouragement and praise

Practicing memory care therapy is crucial in helping those suffering from a memory loss disease. The activities provide structure to their daily lives and routine can help behaviors of dementia from becoming an issue to worry about. Consult your doctor for more information and services on providing memory care for your loved ones that are living outside of an assisted living facility. If you are interested in helping to accelerate Alzheimer’s prevention research visit Alzheimer’s Prevention Registry and find out how you can make a difference.

Meet Kristie Chadwick

IMG_Kristie Chadwick2 low res (1) — Kristie Chadwick

Paradise Living Centers warmly welcomes, Kristie Chadwick, our new Care Manager. Kristie joined our team in May.

Q: What made you choose a career in senior care?

A: I actually started out training horses and spent many years in Europe and the U.S, training with Olympians. Training horses takes a toll the body, so as I got older, I began thinking about what else I may want to do. My experience as a trainer gave me an opportunity to get involved in pet therapy. My passion for working with others and providing care led me to make the career change. Six years ago, I accepted a position as the Activities Director for an assisted care community.

Q: What do you enjoy most about working in an assisted living community?

A: Well, I started out as the Activities Director for Ventana Winds Assisted Living and Memory Care in Sun City. There I loved working with residents and knew I found the right career path for me. I also spent two years at Encore Senior Living in Paradise Valley working as the Community Relations Coordinator. I found my passion working with seniors with dementia and Alzheimer’s and helping their families cope. I became involved with the Alzheimer’s Association’s dementia division and participated in several of their Walk to End Alzheimer’s events.

Q: In your current role as Care Manager, what do you do for PLC residents and families?

A: I do quite a bit to make sure things run smoothly in our community! To start off each day, I oversee daily monitoring of residential care and ensure that our wonderful staff is engaging our residents during daily programs and activities. I also meet with residents’ families and make certain that their expectations are met, especially those coping with loved ones suffering from dementia.

Q: Outside of work, are you involved in any organizations?

A: Oh yes, a handful of them! I like to stay up to date in my industry to benefit our residents as much as I can. I am a member of the Alzheimer’s Association, Arizona Assisted Living Homes Association, Nursing Care Institution Administrators and the Assisted Living Association of America. I am also a part of the fundraising committee for Justa Center, which is a resource center for homeless people over the age of 55.

Q: What is your long-term vision for Paradise Living Centers?

A: I hope to expand our community and diversify our programs! I want our residents to be in a home that will meet their particular needs.