If you are considering a memory care community for a loved one, you’ve likely also thought about the costs associated with it. As you evaluate your options, keep in mind that some variation in cost is normal and is based on apartment type, location, and individualized programming, as well as the level of care needed.
At The Bristal, each of our communities has a private and secure neighborhood for specialized memory support called Reflections. We also have an entire community dedicated specifically to memory care, The Bristal at Lake Success. To give you an idea of what kind of services, programs, and amenities are included in the cost of a high-quality memory care program like Reflections, we’ve compiled the following list.
✔️ Included: Safety and Security Measures
Concerns over your loved one’s safety is probably the main reason you are searching for a memory care community. At The Bristal, safety and security are always our top priorities and are provided in such a way that residents are well-protected without feeling restricted.
Here are some examples of how we keep residents safe:
- Electronic keypad-protected entryways and exits
- Pendant call system and emergency pull cords in all apartments and restrooms
- Security surveillance throughout the community’s common areas
- Spaces designed with contrasting colors in furniture, walls, and flooring
- Bright lighting throughout the community and in residents’ apartments
✔️ Included: Highly Trained Staff
Staff members who work in Reflections receive extensive training in the latest approaches, therapies, and proven modalities for enhancing memory health and quality of life for residents and their families. This is true of both aspects of hands-on care as well as recreational programming.
Additionally, staff participates in ongoing sensitivity training that is designed to help them identify and address cognitive challenges residents may be experiencing. The result is enhanced care and improved quality of life for residents.
✔️ Included: Private Living Space
A recent study published by BMC Geriatrics suggests that there is a “strong connection between the experience of lived space and the importance of sustaining feelings of belonging, meaningfulness, safety and security and autonomy among persons with dementia.” Put simply, having a private living space that residents can personalize is crucial to their well-being.
Reflections offers private living spaces and bathrooms in both individual and shared apartments, which means each resident has a space to call their own. They are free to decorate their living space with personal belongings and other items that they have a connection with. Being surrounded by familiar objects helps create a safe haven where residents can feel comfortable and at ease.
✔️ Included: Upscale Services and Amenities
When it comes to memory care, residents need both a place to feel safe and secure and the freedom to enjoy life to the fullest. Reflections’ many amenities provide the perfect opportunity to do just that.
Here are some examples of on-site services and amenities available to residents:
- Creative arts studio
- Beauty salon
- Cinema
- Library
- Fitness center
- Daily housekeeping
- Secure outdoor courtyard
✔️ Included: Specialized Programming
Reflections offers robust programming with something for everyone, no matter their interests. From music and movies to reading groups and dancing, residents can participate as much as they want. Activities are individually paced and modified, if necessary, to suit each resident’s abilities.
Here are some examples of popular programs at Reflections:
- Morning exercise classes
- Cultural studies
- Movie matinees
- Choir practice
- Painting classes
- Trivia games
- Courtyard karaoke
- Putt-putt golf
✔️ Included: Delicious Dining (Three Meals a Day)
Reflections residents enjoy chef-prepared meals every day in a country club dining room setting. Seating that is both comfortable and intimate helps encourage socialization. Therapeutic music played during mealtimes promotes a calm and soothing atmosphere.
Specialty diets like no salt added or no concentrated sweets, as well as lactose or gluten-free, are no problem for our dining room staff. We are also able to accommodate mechanically altered diets, sometimes referred to as a mechanical diet. These include pureed or ground foods or those which are soft to chew. Staff can provide assistance with selecting food and eating, although we always try to promote independence.
In addition to regular meals, there are always available snacks and drinks. Plus, the dining services team hosts fun happy hours, special cooking (and tasting!) demonstrations, and programs to highlight new and fun ingredients.
✔️ Included: Support for Caregivers (You)
As a caregiver or family member, you are an important part of your loved one’s memory care journey.
While caring for an individual with memory loss can be rewarding, it can also be stressful and present new challenges for the caregiver, both physically and emotionally.
Each community at The Bristal offers a support group for family members and caregivers who have a loved one living in a Reflections neighborhood. The groups meet regularly and are a place to relax, socialize, share thoughts and emotions, and ask questions.
✔️ Included: So Much More!
In addition to the services above, Reflections offers so much more for residents. Learn more about our services and locations, and consider reaching out to us directly to tell us about what you’re looking for.
