For many families, a memory care community is the best option for seniors living with memory loss due to Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia. Memory care provides more than just assistance with daily living. It’s designed to address the specific needs of those experiencing cognitive decline and keep them safe without detracting from their quality of life.
What is it really like to live in a memory care setting? To give you an idea, here’s a typical day in the life of a resident living in Reflections, our specialized memory care neighborhood at The Bristal Assisted Living communities.
- Morning: Starting the Day
- Noon: Taking a Lunch Break
- Afternoon: Engaging in Programming
- Early Evening: Enjoying Dinner and a Show
- Nighttime: Ending the Day on a Calm Note
Morning: Starting the Day
For individuals living with memory loss, routine and structure are extremely important. Creating a structured environment that accommodates the preferences and needs of each individual provides a feeling of familiarity and may lessen any fear and anxiety residents might be experiencing.
The expertly trained Reflections team members personally approach each resident with intention every morning to best meet their unique needs and start the day off positively.
The Bristal team members incorporate simple choices into residents’ daily routines, encouraging decision-making and fostering independence. Residents begin each day with a few simple decisions, such as what to wear or what to eat for breakfast. For easier decision-making at meal times, residents in Reflections are shown a visual menu when considering what they’d like to eat.
Empowering residents to make individualized choices and providing unique opportunities to feel successful through everyday interaction is part of the therapeutic programming that begins in the early morning and continues throughout the day.
The Bristal also has programming designed to help residents ease into the day. Residents begin most days with light exercises to warm up the body, or brain teasers that stimulate thought. Group activities like walking in the courtyard or listening to music together foster connections among residents, encouraging socialization and reminiscing.
Noon: Taking a Lunch Break
Residents dine in the country club-style dining room, where they can savor a delicious meal and conversation with their friends.
Our experienced Reflections team works hard to ensure meals are engaging and create intentional opportunities for socializing between residents and with other team members. As the midday meal, lunchtime is used as a way to check in with every resident to ensure the day is going as well as possible, provide any needed therapeutic reinforcement, and plan programming for the afternoon and evening.
At Reflections, dining is an engaging experience for residents each day. There are unique themes, like National Deep Dish Pizza Day, and special food demonstrations, like the Taste of the Season program, which features seasonal ingredients. Residents and families are encouraged to submit their favorite recipes to the dining team, so their featured dish can be served on the menu on a future date with the Taste of Home program.
Afternoon: Engaging in Programming
After lunch, residents have the option of participating in therapeutic programming or spending time on a hobby or other individual pursuits. Incorporating information from a resident's care plan and cues from throughout the day, team members will encourage residents to either attend afternoon large- or small-group programming or help direct them to a more solo activity.
An important aspect of living well with memory loss is maintaining an active lifestyle. The Bristal offers a variety of options for residents to remain active, including dance classes, walking, and gardening clubs. For those who want something more low-key, there are also low-impact programs, like chair yoga and stretching.
Residents who are more interested in creative pursuits can opt for art, music, or creative writing classes. For those who love games, there is an assortment of trivia programs that also help stimulate their minds.
Residents can enjoy off-site organized group visits to cultural landmarks or other engaging programs and attractions. Family-centered programming, including cooking classes, is also available for residents with culinary interests.
Many of the programs in Reflections at The Bristal encourage reminiscing, which has been shown to be beneficial for those living with Alzheimer’s or other dementia-related memory loss. Residents spend time reflecting on favorite memories from their childhood, family members, or former home. Even residents who prefer spending more time alone are engaged by team members to share aspects of their lives, tell stories, and participate in individualized programming. These kinds of experiences help instill confidence, as well as build bonds between fellow residents and team members.
Related: Learn how to understand and support an older adult living with dementia >>
Early Evening: Enjoying Dinner and a Show
When dinner time rolls around, there’s always something delicious to look forward to. Themed dinners like Italian Night, Oktoberfest, and summer BBQs provide variety and seasonal enjoyment.
After dinner, there are a variety of entertainment options. In addition to specialized memory care programming, residents have access to much of the entertainment programming available to residents in assisted living. Concerts and other evening entertainment are popular among all residents at The Bristal.
Community-wide events are designed to encourage participation from everyone and help foster a sense of inclusion for residents living with memory loss. Social inclusion is essential to overall well-being, particularly for seniors.
The Bristal encourages family members to participate in events, which helps build a community with residents, their families, and team members. Large-scale programming is always facilitated with individualized focus, offering opportunities for each resident to feel proud, find success, and create new memories.
Related: Find ways to cope with the symptoms of sundown syndrome >>
Nighttime: Ending the Day on a Calm Note
Team members at The Bristal strongly believe in providing an engaging atmosphere for residents that is calming and comforting. After dinner, residents are guided to therapeutic programming opportunities that are thoughtfully chosen by experienced team members.
For some residents, this might mean attending a movie showing at our in-house cinema, taking a stroll in our secure outdoor patio and garden area, or visiting the Creative Arts Studio to unwind by painting or listening to music. Other residents may prefer visiting the library to read quietly, and still others may want to sit and chat with friends in one of our common areas.
Reflections team members are highly empathetic individuals who keep all aspects of a resident's care plan in mind at all times, attending to residents' needs and seeking out moments to engage them in programming and moments to foster their independent pursuits.
Discover Memory Care at The Bristal
At The Bristal Assisted Living, we believe in making every day the best it can be for each resident. To learn more about life at our Reflections communities, visit our website or contact us directly.
This blog was originally published in 2022. It was updated in May 2024.
