Memory loss is something that many Americans will have to face in their lifetime. According to the Center for Disease Control, about one in 10 Americans will experience some form of dementia as they age, and that number is only expected to increase. Having somewhere to go that can accommodate your needs while maintaining individual dignity is important, and Avalon Springs Health Campus’ Legacy Lanes provides all its residents with privacy, respect, and a trained, compassionate staff.
Legacy Lanes are Avalon Springs’ unique memory care neighborhoods tailored to meet the needs of seniors living with Alzheimer’s and related dementia. Every resident gets a space that helps them succeed while still providing each resident privacy.
“Each suite has its own bathroom, shower, grab bars, everything like that,” said Legacy Neighborhood Director Ivana Zupanoski. “We have furniture included if the family wants to move right in, but they can certainly personalize the room.”
Other amenities in each apartment include internet access, utilities, cable TV, individual heat/AC control, housekeeping services, and more. Additional amenities can also include semi-private occupation options that let residents live with a spouse or roommate.
The goal of Legacy Lanes is to keep residents’ minds engaged and exercised. This includes a variety of strategies, the first of which is to offer plenty of activities for residents to participate in. Boasting over 100 monthly activities and daily programming, Avalon Springs keeps its residents from falling into a dull routine.
“Our company offers quite a bit of themed events, and we thrive on it,” said Zupanoski. “It brings enthusiasm to the staff and the residents love it as well. Soon, we are doing a family night just for our memory care residents. Family nights are led by the residents—they get to decorate, they get to make the food—and we're essentially using the Montessori approach. We're helping guide the residents to prepare all of this for their families.”
On top of themed events, Legacy Lanes’ daily programming includes brain games, social meal opportunities, and chances to learn, improve, or maintain skills like cooking. Residents also can receive personal one-on-one engagement opportunities if they aren’t feeling group socialization.
Another strategy employed by Avalon Springs’ staff is the BFF approach.
“We educate our staff to use a very personable, knowledgeable approach to resident care,” Zupanoski said. “We collect information from the families initially on the person's life story, and we pick out simple pieces that would help someone feel at home.”
The BFF approach, inspired by David Troxel and Virginia Bell’s Best Friends™ Approach, helps residents and staff quickly establish trusting relationships, easing newer residents into Legacy Lanes.
“When someone comes in new and they're nervous, having dementia on top of that creates an anxiety-ridden situation. When we get families to share those life stories and we use them to personalize our approach, it just helps residents adjust,” said Zupanoski.
Legacy Lanes also offers Life Stations that help residents feel comfortable. If a resident wakes up needing to go to work, a Life Station set up like an office is available with supplies. If someone is missing their babies, a specialized baby doll is given to them. The end goal is to provide comfort to residents as they continue to live with dementia.
“We have great Life Stations set up in Legacy Lanes. They're not always used, but they're very useful tools,” Zupanoski said. “We would not put someone at a station just out of randomness. All of them are a comforting tool.”
Avalon Springs’ Legacy Lanes neighborhoods give residents the chance to continue living life with memory loss while also offering their families the comfort of knowing their loved ones are in capable hands. With a variety of tools, programming, services, and the BFF approach to care, Legacy Lanes strikes the fine balance between accommodation and independence.
To learn more about Avalon Springs Health Campus’ memory care services, visit its website.