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September 07. 2010 9:40AM

Bethany Meadows in Brandon is known as a senior living community catering to independent and assisted living residents. What most people don’t know, however, is that Bethany Meadows features a residential neighborhood in its apartment complex specifically designed for memory care residents.

Most of us experience memory loss at one time or another – my wife often accuses me of forgetting to do the things on her “honey do” list. That is not uncommon.

However, significant memory loss is not a sign of aging. Significant, and progressive, memory loss is more likely a sign of senior dementia. Senior dementia is caused by many things but the most commonly referred to is Alzheimer’s disease. Currently, Alzheimer’s disease affects over 4 million people in the United States. If you or a loved one feel there might be a problem you should schedule a visit with your health care provider immediately, as there are now some medications that have been shown to slow down the progression of this disease.

If Alzheimer’s disease, or another form of dementia, is diagnosed, memory care may be a long-term care option to consider, especially if someone has trouble with two or more areas of daily living. The memory care neighborhood at Bethany Meadows in Brandon was designed for people who can no longer safely stay at home, yet who do not need a skilled care nursing facility. Memory care at Bethany Meadows allows people experiencing memory loss the opportunity to remain as independent as possible while at the same time having the safety of being in a secure facility with a professional staff.

At Bethany Meadows, memory care residents have access to activities and care that assures a high quality of life. Experts say that memory care residents need to stay active and engaged in order to keep their senses stimulated.

“We take pride in the care we provide in our memory care neighborhood,” said Bethany Meadows Administrator John Larson. “Our staff is well trained and they do a great job of keeping our memory care residents active.”

The memory care neighborhood at Bethany Meadows is very home-like. There is an open community room with a kitchen area for cooking and baking, a dining room area for meals and activities and a sitting area for talking, listening to music or watching television. In addition, the memory care area also has its own outdoor courtyard with a nice garden area. In fact, the memory care residents grew some beautiful tomatoes in their garden this year!

Nurse aide Laura Evelsizer has worked in Bethany Meadow’s memory care area for two years and she says that the memory care residents are always out of their rooms and join in the activities. Evelsizer said, “We have residents with all stages of memory loss, so we work with them on a very individualized basis.”

Because the memory care area at Bethany Meadows is a part of the larger Bethany Meadows community, there are always great opportunities for the memory care residents to participate in community activities as well. This helps them keep their senses sharp. The memory care residents really enjoyed it when the First National Bank recently sponsored a visit by an ice cream truck to Bethany Meadows.

Progressive memory loss typically starts with losing the most recent memories and progresses backwards. Therefore, a resident may not remember what they had for lunch today, but they might remember a family meal from 40 years ago.

Jenny Oakland also provides care in Bethany Meadow’s memory care neighborhood. “As we get to know the residents over time, we learn their likes and dislikes, for example, who likes butter on their potatoes,” Oakland said. “This helps us serve them better even as their disease progresses. After time, they may not remember that they like butter on their potatoes, but we do, and that helps them eat better and stay healthier.”

Music, hymns and scripture are often things that memory care residents hang on to, even if they cannot remember much else.

“We have residents in later stages of dementia who remember very little, but they can still sing all the old hymns they learned in their youth,” Oakland said. “Our memory care residents are like family. We are there for them 24 hours a day.”
It is that kind of attitude that helps make Bethany Meadows more than just a place to live, it makes it their home.

Bethany Lutheran Home plans to extend their memory care to the skilled-care nursing home facility we plan to build on the Bethany Meadows campus. There will be a neighborhood in the new facility for residents with memory care issues who need nursing home care. That way, memory care residents at Bethany Meadows will be able to receive all the care they need on one campus.