Seasons Alberta Magazine

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A t Seasons, our dedicated team is always looking for new ways to improve the lives of our residents. As the Canadian population ages, experts suggest that an increasing number of seniors and their families will be affected by dementia and Alzheimer's. According to the Alzheimer Society of Canada, over 500,000 Canadians are living with dementia today. They project the number of Canadians living with dementia in 2030 will be 955,900. Seasons responded to this reality by developing a person-centred Memory Care program for seniors living with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Our secure Memory Care areas incorporate bright, open spaces that feel like home and are comfortable for visitors. Our newer residences include private outdoor spaces to promote freedom of movement and ensure nature is close by. Learning to Embrace Today ® The Seasons Memory Care philosophy is based on our service team members’ commitment to Embrace Today ® , which means that they approach each workday with a promise to do their best to make all interactions positive and meaningful, one moment at a time. This philosophy is rooted in person-centred care with five key branches aligned with our core values. The branches include training, purposeful MEMORY CARE: THE Seasons WAY

opportunities for personal and professional growth,” says Stephanie Sanborn, Director of Innovation and Education. She was instrumental in building the Memory Care program at Seasons. “It takes special qualities to serve seniors with cognitive impairments, and we want our team members to feel supported and cared about, so they can provide the highest quality care to our residents. We believe that positive relationships among all care partners elevate the person-centred care approach,” continues Stephanie. We work with our residents and their loved ones to create a Legacy Today journal. We acknowledge and celebrate moments shared at Seasons and document elements of a resident’s life story through this journal. Understanding someone’s past accomplishments and interests strengthens our connection with them, helps shape our care plans, and empowers our residents to continue building their legacy while at Seasons. Our activity calendar for residents in Memory Care is flexible yet progressively balanced to incorporate the elements of the mind and spirit, like brain-enhancing games, exercises and physical activity routines, and calming meditative programs to promote sleep and happiness daily. For example, ‘Fire It Up’ is based on the research that engaging the body and the mind in one program encourages neuroplasticity in the brain. In other words, the brain’s ability to change throughout life could mean compensating for lost functions or maximizing remaining functions. What’s New Seasons continues to be open to and seek out partnerships in aging research with academic institutions, their students and professors across Canada. Through this continued outreach, we look forward to gaining increased insight and knowledge within our industry to embrace innovation, and best serve our residents, now and in the future.

We offer these institutions an excellent platform for interested researchers to access willing seniors for research purposes. Through these extensive efforts, we aim to bridge the gap between youth and seniors. > Seasons and The Centre for Elder Research at Sheridan College explored technology in design for a new and improved ‘den,’ a quiet space for relaxation, reminiscence, and social connection. > Seasons hosted a robot named Mindy as part of a pilot study to explore how we might use social robots to engage, entertain, and educate residents in retirement homes.

> Seasons developed a 4-minute virtual technology- based experience for team members and families from the viewpoint of someone living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. In Ontario, we have designated Memory Care areas in Amherstburg, Brantford, Cambridge, Clarington in Bowmanville, Milton, Royal Oak Village in LaSalle, St. Thomas, Stoney Creek and Welland. In Alberta, we offer Designated Supportive Living, Dementia (DSL4D) in Camrose, High River and Olds.

connections, reflective practice, support gatherings and an enabling, unhurried environment.

Positive relationships among all care partners elevate the person-centred care approach. “We host monthly peer support gatherings for our team members and residents’ families. They strengthen relationships by providing a safe place to discuss feelings and frustrations and allow

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