KAJ

Posted: Feb 18, 2010 11:26 AM
Updated: Feb 18, 2010 11:27 AM

Perpetual wandering, continual seeking, Earnestly searching for home and all that is familiar. These are the persistent task people with memory loss face every moment of the day.

"For people with memory problems, familiarity is very important," said Dorris Gilbert, Administrator of the new Memory Care Unit at the Discovery Care Centre in Hamilton, "they need to be able to identify their home."

According to Gilbert, special care is needed for these folks - starting with 24 hour a day security.  "The Forget-Me-Not Memory Care Unit at Discovery Care is a Long Term Care facility that offers all levels of care A, B, and C [from moderate to severe]," Gilbert said.

During the recent open house, the doors were open and about 25 community members came to see the open family-style living center. 

Richard Bucheit, Director of Nursing pointed out the features of their new facility. "We remodeled the structure but also a lot of attention was paid to environment.  The trained staff and the open space gives people freedom to move about but still have supervision," he said. "They need to feel comfortable, safe and in a family living situation."

Gilbert agreed, "It is nice, cozy and small enough to be with them all day and night. With this design we're able to assess and evaluate each person 24 hours a day and meet their needs."

The Forget Me Not facility offers a range of care options. As patients change and need different care, from assisted living to skilled nursing care, they already know the staff and the familiar setting.

"The staff stays the same," said Bucheit, "it's not a big upheaval if you have to change the intensity of their care."

No one has moved in yet which is why they had an open house. "An open house wouldn't be what a memory loss patient needs," said Bucheit.  Gilbert added, "we have no waiting list but quite a few inquiries." 

"I was very pleased to hear what the community said about our new facility," said Daiquiri Banners, Memory Care CNA, "they loved it."

With the nearest severe care facility for memory loss patients in Missoula, Discovery Care offers the opportunity to have loved ones near by.

Activities Director Dominick Farrenkopf is very excited about caring for memory loss patients. Other staff members have worked with them. He has studied them, researched their needs, and Discovery has built the place for their satisfaction.

"We have a therapy center with things to find, three-dimensional pictures on the wall - all very tactile.  They are seeking what's familiar," he said.  "The key is to do in-depth biographies when patients move in - what their life was like, what their vocation was, what they enjoyed doing, their favorite foods, etc.  Then we'll know how to provide what they're seeking." 

He told a story about a patient who loved to make beds - for her, that was home.  The staff allowed her to make a bed then she would eat and be happy.  "Everything is based on the individual."

 "We need to help them find home and find it here," Farrenkopf said.  "We are very excited; we can't wait for people to move in."

For more information about the Forget-Me-Not - Memory Care Unit at the Discovery Care Centre call 406-363-CARE (2273) or visit their website: http://discoverycare.com/