In addition to Independent Living and Assisted Living, Sagora Senior Living is proud to offer Memory Care living options for our residents. As we understand that Memory Care can be a sensitive subject and perhaps confusing and overwhelming for family members, we have launched a blog series devoted entirely to Memory Care. Our hope is that we provide educational resources, answers to frequently asked questions and support as you navigate your loved one’s Alzheimer’s or dementia diagnosis.
Last week, we focused on what Sagora Pathways is and the principles that it’s founded upon. Part of our Pathways program is our life skills stations. We have these stations positioned around our Memory Care communities for resident use and interaction. Using life skills help our residents feel comfortable and engage in activities that they’re familiar with.
These skills stations include but are not limited to:
- Office tasks
- Working in a garage or with tools
- Pet care
- Folding linens
- Setting the table
- Cooking and baking
- Gardening
Not only do these skills spark memories and bring a sense of calm to our residents, they also fill residents with a sense of pride and accomplishment. You can also implement these skills within your home if you are caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s. The national Alzheimer’s Association recommends the following tips.
- Keep the person’s skills and abilities in mind. Stick with activities the person has always enjoyed and adjust, as needed, to match the person’s current abilities. A person with dementia may be able to play simple songs learned on the piano years ago. Bring these types of skills into daily activities.
- Focus on enjoyment, not achievement. Find activities that build on remaining skills and talents. A professional artist might become frustrated over the declining quality of work, but an amateur might enjoy a new opportunity for self-expression.
- Encourage involvement in daily life. Activities that help the individual feel like a valued part of the household — like setting the table — can provide a sense of success and accomplishment.
- Relate activity to work life. A former office worker might enjoy activities that involve organizing, like putting coins in a holder, helping to assemble a mailing or making a to-do list. A former farmer or gardener may take pleasure in working in the yard.
- Look for favorites. The person who always enjoyed drinking coffee and reading the newspaper may still find these activities enjoyable, even if he or she is not able to completely understand what the newspaper says.
If you have additional questions about life skills stations, our Memory Care experts are here for you with answers. For more information on our communities, contact information and how to schedule a virtual tour, click here.