Studies show that there are currently over five million Americans living with Alzheimer’s, and because this number continues to grow, it is critical to raise awareness about the disease. To show their support for everyone affected by Alzheimer’s, the Waltonwood Ashburn, an upscale senior living community, team recently participated in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Once open this fall, Waltonwood Ashburn will feature luxurious independent living, assisted living, memory care apartments and short-term stay. Participating in this event is one of the many ways the senior living community betters the lives of caregivers and those who live with Alzheimer’s.
“We truly enjoyed the opportunity to come together as a team, and help raise money for such an important cause,” said Justin Roberts, executive director of Waltonwood Ashburn. “We are dedicated to incorporating customized programs and will provide the highest quality of care to residents with all forms of dementia. We feel strongly about supporting efforts to find a cure.”
A specially designed Montessori-based dementia care program is the focal point of the community’s approach. The program helps seniors stimulate their brains because it concentrates on the five senses and engages different parts of the brain using simple and familiar everyday items. The truly person-centered approach is customized to each resident and incorporates unique activities based on each individual’s personality, biographical information and cognitive level. The Montessori Method provides seniors with endless opportunities to rediscover the world around them and create positive attitudes towards learning while reminding them about things they experienced a long time ago. Waltonwood Ashburn is discussing its Montessori-based program to educate families and help caregivers learn more about the importance of socialization and purposeful interactions.
“Our Montessori-based program is a unique way to captivate seniors’ senses so they have positive learning experiences without getting frustrated,” said Maria Kraft, director of resident care for Waltonwood Senior Living. “We design activities which incorporate common items such as aroma therapy using different flowers, music therapy with household items, and painting using brushes or fingers to spark the residents’ memories and allow them to function and participate to the extent of their ability. We take each resident’s preferences into consideration. For example, if we have a resident who was a businessman or professor, he may not be interested in painting, however an activity for him may be setting up a desk with papers or a computer, where the resident can “work”. The Montessori Method program helps seniors reduce anxiety, stops boredom and improves their overall positivity. The type of daily activities we provide are endless because everything is based on meeting the seniors’ preferences and capabilities, all while challenging them in new ways to continue learning.”
Similar to the Montessori Method used in schools, the dementia care program focuses on creating exercises which mimic common tasks seniors used to do when they were younger. The activities are designed to help reduce frustration and stress which commonly lead to lack of participation. Instead, this approach pushes them to step out of their comfort zone and possibly improve their memory. One senior may enjoy painting, while another would prefer an office environment to engage his or her brain and bring back their memories. Some residents who used to be stay-at-home mothers might like to participate in exercises like folding laundry or light housekeeping, and a resident who used to work in business might like to use a calculator to stimulate their brain. Montessori-based activities at Waltonwood Ashburn will be led by a highly trained activity director who will design programming for small and large groups based on the residents’ capabilities. Design of the memory care apartments will align with multi-sensory experiences, such as varying wall colors, personalized room ledges, and memory boxes outside each apartment.
“The Montessori Method is very synergistic, cohesive and although it is a relatively new program, it is proven to be effective, and we want to inform families about it,” said Roberts. “By promoting this special program, participating in fundraisers like our “Stamp Out Alzheimer’s” event we hosted last month and joining the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, we hope to show the public our commitment to bettering the lives not only of our residents but other seniors and caregivers.”
Singh currently owns and operates 10 other Waltonwood Senior Living Communities in Michigan and North Carolina, and has several other communities in development and under construction in North Carolina and the Washington, D.C. metro area market.