Change is in the air at The Preserve, and our team could not be more excited to introduce our residents and community to our newly remodeled Evergreen neighborhood. We are firmly committed to providing the lifestyle and environment that our residents need, and that includes taking on projects that take time to plan and implement. Our Evergreen neighborhood, specially designed for residents living with Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia, is getting the full treatment, and we couldn’t wait until it was completed to give you a sneak peek of what to expect.
Person-Centered Planning
Our Evergreen neighborhood remodeling project started the same way all of our projects do: by anticipating the needs of our current and future residents. We wanted to be able to create a community that was designed just for residents living with dementia, a place that feels like home for those who live there and those who visit. The new Evergreen neighborhood will be beautiful, cozy, homelike, and full of special details that make living with dementia a bit easier and safer.
The Preserve at Palm-Aire is operated by The Arbor Company, which has more than 30 years of experience serving seniors with dementia. With the guidance of The Arbor Company’s national team and the expertise of the staff at The Preserve, we created plans for an environment that is ideal for dementia care.
Specialized Programs
Though the environment and homelike design touches are important, our Evergreen neighborhood is built on the foundation of personalized interactions and special programs developed to meet the needs of those we serve. Our neighborhood is staffed with team members who have been trained in the details of dementia and the disease process as well as how to use resident history and preferences to create positive interactions every time.
A few signature features that support our Evergreen residents include:
- Our award-winning Dining with Dignity® program, which ensures every resident has the support and adaptations they need to enjoy delicious and nutritious meals
- Our Namaste program, which provides relaxation therapy through sensory stimulation, and from which residents can benefit from multisensory experiences including hand massages set to soft music, aromatherapy infusion, and other interventions throughout their daily routine
- Nurses and caregivers on staff, serving residents 24 hours per day with daily tasks including medication management and chronic pain management
- Engaging activities that are designed by an Engagement team who get to know the likes, dislikes, preferences, and history of every resident in the neighborhood as well as purposeful daily events and activities that mimic a realistic daily routine, such as meditation classes, art workshops, and live music concerts
- Our dedication to dementia education, which does not stop with our Evergreen team members. The Preserve also offers resources and education to family members so that they can have more successful interactions with their loved ones.
Proactive Approaches to Care
Finally, the team that serves residents in the Evergreen neighborhood is trained in our Gem Level Program, based on dementia expert Teepa Snow’s approach to care for those who are living with cognitive decline. Each resident falls into a category of precious stones, or gems, that provides insight into their current abilities and potential challenges. Our team then uses this guidance for verbal and physical cues as well as encouragement while providing care throughout the day.
The Gem Level Program has been a game changer for both residents and staff in the Evergreen neighborhood, making their interactions even more positive. Our team is now even better suited to proactively anticipating challenges and adjusting their approach as needed in order to best serve residents. Further, our Gem Level Program has offered family members insight into their loved one’s challenges and provided them with new ways to have pleasant visits.
We cannot wait to show you the finished product of our extensive Evergreen neighborhood remodel! Until the final touches are complete, learn more about what it is like to live at The Preserve from our residents themselves.
