As we age, we need havens not only for physical safety but also for cognitive support, emotional well-being and day-to-day personal care.
Fortunately, Ovation Sienna Hills in beautiful St. George provides one of the most nurturing and supportive environments for seniors living with a cognitive disability. The retirement community’s Memory Care unit enhances residents’ quality of life while reassuring the families of these most vulnerable of Americans that they are receiving the help they need, when they need it.
The decision to move a loved one to a memory care community can be difficult. But in many instances, it is necessary.
As the nation ages, so will the number of men and women diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or some form of dementia, according to the Urban Institute. And the number of Americans 65 and older will more than double, to 40 million, over the next 16 years.
Signs that it may be time for seniors to join a memory care community like Ovation Sienna Hills may include:
Frequent memory lapses, such as forgetting to pay bills or take medication
Neglecting personal hygiene and housekeeping
Difficulty managing daily tasks
Unsafe behaviors such as leaving the stove on or wandering
Withdrawal from hobbies and social activities
Aggressive or abusive behaviors
Frequent falls
“The No. 1 safety concern for seniors in a memory care community is falls,” said Erick Lorenzana, general manager of Ovation at Sienna Hills. “Here, our residents have some form of dementia, which can cause physical weakness and impaired judgment leading to falling.”
Concern of this kind is well warranted.
Every year, 1 out of 4 people aged 65 and older experience a fall, with 1 out of 10 falls resulting in an injury that requires medical attention, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Washington, D.C. And once an elderly person falls, the chances of falling again are doubled, according to the CDC.
To lessen the odds of this happening, Ovation at Sienna Hills provides a structured environment tailored to each memory care resident’s unique history, preferences and needs.
The environment includes the large and spacious design of the community, allowing for freedom to roam without encumbrances, and daily activities designed to stimulate memory and cognitive function.
Residents are given a pendant to call a caregiver for 24/7 assistance and immediate response if they fall or experience physical or mental difficulties. What’s more, the Ovation staff routinely receives training in dementia care and communication.
Recently, Lorenzana and his team launched a virtual reality simulation training program called “Dementia Live,” which allows caregivers to experience what it’s like to live with the illness. “I believe the program will help us tackle safety issues as we better understand what our residents experience and how to remove those obstacles that cause frequent falls,” he said.
For the families and friends of residents, the Memory Care community at Ovation Sienna Hills is a refuge from the stress and worry that can take a toll on personal caregivers. Here, they know their loved ones are in the hands of highly trained, dedicated and caring professionals.
For more information on transitioning to the memory care community at Ovation Sienna Hills, please call 435.429.0000 or visit ovationsiennahills.com.
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