As our loved ones get older, we want to be there for them in their golden years. We want to give them great care, a safe environment to live in, and the proper treatment if they become ill. However, most American families with older relatives find it difficult to provide them with the finest care possible. Family members may find it difficult to simultaneously provide all the necessary care to their loved ones while going about their daily lives.

One solution for many families is to use the services of an assisted living facility. Assisted living is a form of accommodation for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal assistance. Memory care programs are available in several assisted living facilities for those individuals with dementia. These specialized units provide safety features that make quality of life safer, since there are frequent behaviors like wandering, agitation, and falls which expose these individuals to risk.

In this podcast, Perry Limes interviewed Maresa Henry, the Executive Director at Spring Arbor Senior Living Severna Park. They discuss the benefits of receiving services of an assisted living facility for seniors, when the time is right to get the services, what programs are offered especially for those with dementia, and the positive experiences and moments in these kinds of communities.

Key Takeaways
What is assisted living and its purpose for individuals with dementia
Key indicators to look for the services of Assisted Living
The Memory Care Program and what is it all about
The benefits of Assisted Living Facilities partnering with Palliative and Hospice Care
Experiences during the COVID outbreak and how they've managed

Quotes
No one is really excited to sign up for an assisted living. However, once they move and they've acclimated to the community, they love it and they thrive. - Maresa

They find themselves in a space where they're not being judged and they can be themselves. - Maresa

Partnership with hospice and supportive care programs makes their loved ones really enjoy and make the most of their stays. - Maresa


Featured in this Episode
Maresa Henry
Executive Director, Spring Arbor Senior Living Severna Park
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpringArborSevernaPark/
Website: https://www.springarborliving.com/md/severna-park/spring-arbor-of-severna-park/

Perry Limes
Director, Strategic Partnerships
Hospice of the Chesapeake
Profile: https://www.hospicechesapeake.org/perry-limes/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/perrylimes

Thanks and Appreciation
We'd like to thank the John and Cathy Belcher Institute for their generous support of our community outreach and education programs.

Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:32 Maresa Background
03:21 What is assisted living?
05:28 Getting the services of assisted living
07:46 The provided services
10:07 Factors in decision making
10:49 The Memory Care Program
13:50 Qualification for Memory Care Program
15:28 Mingled with cognitively impaired persons
16:35 Palliative care and hospice care
18:08 Pearls of wisdom
19:43 During the COVID outbreak
21:40 Thanks and appreciation