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What is Memory Care for Seniors?

When someone you care about is experiencing the effects of memory loss, your one wish is to ensure they are safe and cared for in a place filled with kindness - a home designed to support their specific and evolving needs, where they are comfortable, engaged, and able to live their best possible life.

At Revera, “Memory Care” refers to all the supports our homes have in place to assist residents affected by diseases such as Alzheimer's and others that affect memory to continue living a life of purpose. We deliver best in class memory care through a multi-layered approach. Because every senior living with a memory loss is unique, many of our supports are also unique, designed specifically for each individual and enhanced by personal care services to ensure the resident is safe, comfortable, and engaged in their community.

Our staff are available 24 hours a day, each specially trained to care for residents who may have complex feelings of frustration, anxiety, or issues with communication due to changes in cognition. Our residents live in a secure environment. This environment promotes safety and wellbeing while still allowing our individuals to be engaged in large group events and to interact and socialize outside of the space. Every Memory Care Retirement Home has been designed to focus on engaging our residents and helping them to thrive. Our calm, comfortable settings, are located close to our premier amenities, with fine dining, and active living programming at their fingertips to enhance every day-to-day interaction.

At Revera, we are proud to offer high-quality programs and options for our individuals living with Dementia and Cognitive Impairment within our Memory Care Neighbourhoods in our retirement homes.

“Every person living with dementia is different and we need to treat each person with the dignity and the respect that we would want for ourselves and our family members”

— Dr. Rhonda Collins, Revera Chief Medical Officer

Signs it might be time to consider memory care

Rhonda Collins, Chief Medical Officer of Revera

You may have questions about whether it is time to consider memory care for yourself or for a loved one.

Our podcast series, “Forget Me Not” hosted by Dr. Rhonda Collins, Revera’s Chief Medical Officer, helps people better understand dementia.

In the series, Dr. Collins explains the difference between dementia and normal forgetfulness:
"Every one of us has moments where we forget things from time to time. You go to the fridge to get something and then stand there with the door open for 5 minutes wondering what you were looking for, and as soon as you close the door, you remember what you were looking for. That is normal forgetfulness.

"That is the day to day we have so much on our minds that we lose track of things. That’s typical forgetfulness. When you can recall later in the day what it was you were trying to remember, that’s normal. The difference between cognitive impairment and forgetfulness is that that recall isn’t there. And the difference between cognitive impairment and dementia, is that in dementia it becomes profound enough to interfere with our regular, daily activities."

Dr. Collins goes on to explain what dementia is:
"Dementia is not a disease, but a collection of symptoms that includes things like forgetfulness, misplacing things, difficulty completing tasks, trouble paying attention. The thing that separates it from normal memory loss is that it affects one’s ability to complete normal daily tasks like cooking, banking, shopping."

She talks about the difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s disease:
"There are many types of dementia. The most common is Alzheimer’s disease. It accounts for about 70-80% of all dementias."

And speaks a bit about signs to look for, if you are concerned that a loved one might have dementia:
"Difficultly remembering new information like dates or events. Difficulty planning such as difficulty following a recipe or completing any task that has multiple steps. Trouble doing routine tasks either at work or at home - sometimes things get missed in one location or the other. Trouble doing something that someone has been doing for a long time, for example getting lost on a familiar route. Communication can also become affected. Someone might have trouble following conversations, or difficulty finishing a sentence, or searching for the right word. Another concern would be somebody who spends less time socializing or engaging in activities they once enjoyed."

Dr. Collins addresses how these warning signs evolve as the disease or dementia takes route:
"The same symptoms continue but they become progressively worse. There’s more memory impairment. In the early stages, short-term memory is lost while long-term memory is relatively well-preserved. As the disease progresses, long-term memory becomes affected as well. Difficulty recognizing familiar people and places becomes an issue. Difficulty remembering more daily activities, including things like bathing and dressing. There can also be changes in mood and behaviours - sometimes people become agitated, fearful, anxious, or paranoid. This can be difficult for families to deal with."

Forget me not

This six-episode podcast series, featuring Dr. Rhonda Collins, Revera’s Chief Medical Officer, offers insight and hope to people living with dementia and the people who care for them.

An older man laughs with two younger men

What is Dementia?

There are more than 500,000 Canadians living with dementia with about 25,000 new cases diagnosed each year. Despite these large numbers, dementia remains largely misunderstood. Dr. Rhonda Collins shares her expertise to help dispel common myths and misperceptions about dementia.

A younger caregiver sits at a table with an older woman

The Diagnosis

A dementia diagnosis can be overwhelming. Dr. Collins discusses the role of the physician in preparing patients for life with dementia by not only providing professional support and helping to build the right treatment plans, but by demonstrating empathy and compassion.

An older woman sitting on a lounge chair with a cup of hot tea

Living with Dementia

Dementia is often thought of in terms of loss and the things people can no longer do. This creates an environment of barriers for people living with dementia. Dr. Collins speaks with Mary Beth Wighton, a woman living with dementia, about her journey from diagnosis to depression to coping to advocacy.

A younger caregiver talking and smiling with an older woman

Finding Support

One of the biggest challenges for people living with dementia is finding solutions that will help them continue living independently. Finding the right support to fit your needs is crucial to being able to lead the type of life you want. Sarah Putman from the Alzheimer Society of Niagara Region shares her organization's support for people with dementia.

An older couple are walking on the beach

Being a Caregiver

It’s said that for every one person who’s diagnosed with dementia 10 others are impacted. Johanna Weintzettl and her husband Herbert were married in 1953 and had many happy years together. Their lives changed when Herbert was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Johanna shares her experience of caring for her husband through their dementia journey.

An older man and a younger man looking at an electronic tablet

Advance Care Planning

Advance care planning is a difficult, emotional subject for most people to discuss, especially with their families.

Dr. Rhonda Collins, Chief Medical Officer of Revera, reminds us that how we choose to live at the end of life is a deeply personal decision, and one best planned for in advance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our memory care residents experience the same trusted services and programs found in assisted living but further enhanced and tailored to focus on residents living with memory loss. Our residents living within our Memory Care Neighbourhoods enjoy nutritious and delicious meals, active living programming, and services such as housekeeping and laundry, but with an increased level of support to ensure they are engaged and able to participate to the best of their ability.

When a loved one requires additional support for memory care that cannot be met at home, there is often immediate peace of mind for the family that he or she is being cared for as they need, in a safe, secure, comfortable home. Additionally, residents benefit from:

  • Healthy and delicious meals

  • Quality active living programming tailored to keep them engaged and meet their specific needs

  • Access to assistance 24 hours a day from specially trained staff

  • Enhanced way finding and cueing

  • Community interaction and socialization

  • Entertainment

Find more answers

Care Comes in Many Forms

You may need different kinds of support over time. Our experienced team is ready with highly personalized care services.

Want to learn more about memory care at Revera?

Contact one of our Senior Living Advisors at 1-877-929-9222 or complete the form below. We look forward to connecting with you!

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