The Villa - Dementia Care Facility

Tales to inspire and educate… In the spirit of this year’s Memory Bridge Training Retreat, here are four techniques that you can use to  create meaningful connections with loved ones with dementia : 1. Be Present Julia walked into a senior living community living room, smiled, squatted beside an elder’s wheelchair, and held her hand. They gazed into each other’s eyes for a full minute or two: content, kind, patient. We need not always fill the voids with words. We can sit quietly, utilizing nonverbal communication such as a smile or holding hands. Patience and presence is key. For those of us who serve in senior living, we often talk about the intuitive skill sets of elders with dementia — the ability to discern the intentions of a loved one or care partner. It is critical to truly be with, to be present. 2. Be Sure to Act Like a Mirror Ms. X couldn’t hear Grace without her hearing aid, so they simply sat together for a while, watching a gatherin...

Helping families get a grip on the major responsibility of taking care of a loved one with dementia: At Nazareth House, we provide specialised care in the field of Dementia and Alzheimers.  When you receive the news of a loved one being diagnosed with Dementia, the news can be overwhelming, the advice out there not always very reliable, but one thing all can agree on is not to take this journey on by yourself.  It does not mean you care less, or you abandon your loved one if you seek out professional care.  In fact, that is the best and the responsible thing to do.  At Nazareth House we have the trained staff, absolute passion and experience to take care of your loved one without causing even further trauma.  It is a well-known fact that a person suffering from Alzheimers and Dementia will have severe mood swings, not because they are rude, but mostly because they are scared.  For family member it can cause stress and ...

Many family members will ask whether it is the right time for their family member living with dementia to relocate, this is a difficult but important decision. Family members along with the person living with dementia should work out an advance directive (future care plan) at the early stages of the diagnosis , this will assist the family later on when the person living with dementia is no longer able to make the decision or have input. Below I have highlighted some reasons, causes and incidents that usually lead to the relocation of someone living with dementia, but one needs to keep in mind that all cases are unique. Safety Issues in the home due to a loss of independence, increase in falls and/or an elderly spouse who can’t keep up with the physical care needs of the person with dementia. Wandering and getting lost, about 60% of persons with dementia wander. Escalated caring and health needs of the person with dementia or their family care giver.   A lack of family supp...