The Villa approach to memory care

Many residents move into Villa assisted living with minor memory care issues that can be addressed in a general assisted living setting, and don’t require special “memory care” programs. Villa creates an individualized assisted care plan for all residents that addresses their specific conditions and needs, and updates their care plan as needs change.

Seniors and their families usually choose assisted living because they have experienced increasing health issues, including increased problems with memory. Often an expectation that the dementia issues will continue to worsen over time raises questions about whether a memory care setting is a better initial choice than a general assisted living setting. Villa South offers both assisted living and a dedicated Memory Care section, so residents are able to receive appropriate care that can change as their needs change. This allows many residents to move into assisted living for an extended period of time, but also allows for a transition to specialized Memory Care/Alzheimer’s unit when it is needed, or beneficial.

Stepping Stones Memory Care

“Stepping Stones” is the name of Villa’s Memory Care section and program. This is a secure unit to avoid problems with residents who want to “go” someplace, but don’t understand the reality of where they are, or where they are going. Residents who are at risk of wandering away and getting lost usually need a secure Memory Care setting. Stepping Stones provides a wide array of activities and engagement that are comforting to residents with memory issues. These ‘familiar activities’ help bring back focus and attention that has a calming and enjoyable quality for residents. These can be group, or individual activities, depending on what works best for individual residents at specific times.

The activity programs of Assisted Living and Stepping Stones include overlap and complimentary components. This allows for some Stepping Stone residents to come to assisted living to participate is some activities, providing a welcome ‘change of setting’ that enriches the experience. Similarly there are programs within the Stepping Stone section that invite participation by assisted living residents who can benefit from the extra attention and focus provided by these programs. This cross utilization of programs can also help ease a transition for residents who may be close to a point of moving from assisted living to Stepping Stones.

The Villa Team recognize that it is difficult for children and spouses who have cared for their loved one for months and years to make the difficult decision to move a loved one to a secure memory care facility. The senior is kind of “in between” — not needing full memory care, but

benefiitting from the structure of supervision and perhaps more specialized programs. The goal is to permit these seniors with some dementia to move in 8 months to a year early into Villa’s assisted living community. During this time, they make new friends, benefit from the structure of three meals a day, assistance with taking their daily medications to keep them healthy. Residents

also benefit from housekeeping and laundry service plus, if needed, support with bathing. Dressing and escorts to meals and activities.

These residents participate in Villa’s robust assisted living program that includes crafts, exercise classes, parties and events, brain games, religious services, current events and other engaging programs. There is a synergy between programs in Assisted Living and Stepping Stones, with residents choosing to participate in each other’s programs. This permits assisted living residents with minor cognitive issues to benefit from the specialized brain games and other daily Stepping Stones programming.

Villa is a good setting for people to move into assisted living that are at risk for a future move to full memory care later. They can participate in Stepping Stones activities with memory care residents, get acclimated over time, so the transition is relatively seamless once families decide it is the right next step.”

Activity Director Robin Cohea,

Villa South was the first licensed, secure memory care community by the Texas Health and Human Services (HHSC) in Corpus Christi back in 1994. Families entrust the care of their loved ones to the Villa Team. Over the past year, under the guidance of Executive Director Mary Martinez, Villa’s Activity Director Robin Cohea has implemented a 4-step Formula for a Successful, Happy Day in Stepping Stones. See Villa’s Activity Room daily schedule for residents. For residents on hospice or in need of quiet time, check out Villa’s Theater daily schedule.

The Villa Difference, all-inclusive pricing

For more information on Villa’s approach to memory care issues, please talk with Wellness Director Stephanie Lozano or Activity Director Robin Cohea at 361-991-3252. To schedule a visit contact Admissions Director Kat Akin at 361-446-1829 (KatA@VillaAssistedLiving.com) or South@VillaAssistedLiving.com.