The Highland Village Staff recently held a ceremony to commemorate the rebranding of the Memory Care facility called Memory Lane – fitness for the mind. With a focus on enhancing memory and maintaining independence, Memory Lane residents are encouraged to stay as active as possible.
Mark McBride, administrator of Highland Village performed the duties of Master of Ceremonies, welcoming a crowd of community members as he introduced Memory Lane staff.
“Rather than focus on skills the individual no longer possesses,” said McBride, “we focus on each person’s remaining abilities and strengths. Through the in-depth assessment process, we are able to provide care and treatment to keep residents active and engaged.” The program is designed to allow each person to thrive rather than just survive during the disease process.
Briget Mariezcurrena is the Memory Care director who spoke about working with each resident and the research that has gone into this program. “Not only do we focus on keeping our residents physically fit, but we also work with these programs that are designed to target each part of the cognitive needs and exercise the existing brain functions.” She said the ongoing continuation of mentally stimulating activity can delay the onset of new symptoms of dementia. Continuing to socialize and participate in activities will help residents be the best version of themselves.
“We’ve looked at the assessments and after implementing these programs our residents are responding and it has just been amazing,” she said.
Marketing Director Kristi Austin said that the staff at Highland and Memory Lane view all interactions with residents as an opportunity for enrichment. “Our memory care specialists have received specific training for each level of the disease process, and they are equipped with specific technologies to assist each person from communication to activities to daily care.”
Holly Thompson, Director of Nursing said one of the main focuses of the facility is helping residents maintain independence as long as possible.
Mayor Ken Tedford said as a son who was touched by his father’s dementia, “this is very important for our community.” He said the Highland facility has raised the bar for treatment. “This disease has plagued the greatest generation and robbed them of respect and dignity. Fitness for the Mind is so important and what it means to those families.” He said it was a special day for our community.
Banner Churchill CEO, Rob Carnahan said, “This is an amazing facility. I don’t know many rural communities who have this kind of an organization and being able to implement a program like this is truly admirable.” He said this facility was an example of what can be done for a community. “We are all in this together in health care and this program has proven elements that make residents have more well-being.”
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