Memory Care Like You’ve Never Seen Before

Memory Care Like You’ve Never Seen Before

Welcome to the community, or actually, three communities, recently completed and opened to provide a positive place of care and understanding for seniors living with memory impairment. Thrive Memory Care is located in West Chester in a quiet and peaceful setting that is off the beaten path, but close to highways, hospitals, medical providers and nearby amenities such as Liberty Center.

"The community consists of three neighborhoods," says Colleen Busboom, community relations director. "Each is home to residents with similar needs, which allows Thrive to provide more focused, personalized care for those in every stage of memory loss or

Alzheimer’s disease."

Each neighborhood has its own shared space, activity areas, kitchen, dining room and living room. Each neighborhood’s screened-in porch opens to the park where residents have game and exercise areas, raised garden beds and a putting green.

Thrive was founded in Atlanta to set a new standard for senior living. Among the features that sets it apart is respect for the individual. Thrive’s programs encourage and provide the opportunity for many activities but avoid shepherding residents through a busy day of group activities. Participation is a matter of choice.

The neighborhoods have areas for one-on-one activity where residents can talk with trained staff to discuss the tools and workings of their past professions, hobbies or life accomplishments. Quietly integrated with this home-like atmosphere is a state-of-the-art care system, designed to provide world-class care and engagement to its residents.

Thrive maintains a 6-to-1 ratio of Care Specialists to residents. Thrive president Ali Howard puts a high priority on "hug relations." Each resident will have physical connection with a care specialist once an hour. A call system in each suite allows residents to quickly reach a care team member if needed.

Touch is but one of the sensory programs used to stimulate the different senses. Music, cooking and different visual programs promote relaxation, comfort and build trust in the caregivers. The programs are also intended to reduce dependence on medication for a sense of well-being.

Thrive’s 60 luxury suites equal or surpass those of any high-end senior living community. The attention to detail, comfort, care and privacy are apparent. "We do not believe in scaling down amenities for memory care residents," says Howard.

Thrive coordinates resident care in its innovative digital environment. The technology allows the care team access to medical records, medication information and each resident’s individual care plans, promoting an informed, holistic approach to care.

The digital environment also supports "It’s Never Too Late" (IN2L), a technology platform that lets residents learn and use technology applications, regardless of their age or cognitive ability. IN2L is used extensively to facilitate one-on-one and group activity. A great example is how Google Earth is used to explore neighborhoods where residents grew up or have lived. Then, using 3D maps and images to prompt memories and animated discussions, they engage in what Busboom calls "quilting a conversation."

De De Whitledge, who has the unique title of Director of Excitement, is a professional recreational therapist responsible for developing and conducting care programs. "I am proud of the programs and opportunities for engagement our care specialists provide for each person in the community," she says. "And, I am grateful to be able to help them make the most of each day, as they see fit." 

Thrive Memory Care is located at 7200 Heritagespring Drive, West Chester, OH 45069. For more information, call 513.342. 8889 or visit www.thriveatwestchester.com.

Related Stories

No stories found.
CDO Magazine
www.cdomagazine.tech