Are you looking for Memory Care in Kalamazoo, Michigan or surrounding areas? The good news is that you have options, even though it is never an easy decision to make for a loved one.
If you are struggling with this decision or aren’t sure if it is the right time, we encourage to you read When Is It Time for Assisted Living?
The very fact that you are researching this possibility means that it is time for some sort of senior care or assisted living. We speak with many families on a weekly basis who are in the same place you are right now. The question really isn’t “Is it time?” but rather, “What level of care is needed at this time?”
Note: During this difficult time of quarantine and Covid-19, there are many precautions and additional things to consider. Please read Assisted Living & Memory Care in Kalamazoo Coronavirus Updates and Information for information about specific changes and new protocols. Later in this article we address some very creative solutions to combating dementia and Alzheimer’s during this time of isolation.
Memory Care in Kalamazoo: Things to consider
When someone starts experiencing dementia it is a confusing time for the whole family. Each case is unique and the rate of progression is different for each person. However, in all cases there comes a time when it just isn’t safe for the person to live alone or to be left alone for any significant amount of time.
This is why it is so important to choose an assisted living residence that has several different levels of care. This is often referred to as aging in place. Your loved one can move in at the level that makes sense for where they are today and can easily transition to more care as they need it. Unfortunately, with dementia and memory care later in life, people will generally decline. They will need more care at some point.
It is also really important that they have a stable and familiar environment as their dementia progresses. Lots of moves and changes will make a difficult situation even harder, so aging in place in a really important consideration.
The Different Levels of Memory Care in Kalamazoo
The best kind of memory care provides compassionate care and 24-hour supervision in a comfortable environment that feels like home.
Unlike most memory care communities, at Vibrant Life’s New Friends Assisted Living and Memory Care Kalamazoo location, our memory care/dementia program has three different levels of care.
- Early-stage memory care
- Middle stage memory care
- Later stage memory care
We have three “lodges” all right next to each other on the same campus and look virtually exactly the same. A person generally will be able to stay in their same room and lodge as time goes on, but occasionally they do move to another lodge. However the rooms look identical. In this way we make all the transitions as smooth as possible.
Residents mostly interact with other residents who are at the same level so they are with people most similar to them. All of our Carefriends are specially trained to provide the highest quality of care in a respectful, dignified and loving way. Our staff works with each resident and their families to determine what level of cognition they have when they first come to us. We also all work as a team to decide when and if it becomes beneficial to move to different level of care and potentially different memory care “lodge.”
Our personalized care plans encompass everything from assistance with everyday activities like grooming and dining to programming that encourages hobbies and relationship building.
Music and Memory Care in Kalamazoo 
Music is a very big part of the culture at all of the Vibrant Life communities. We use it every day to provide peace and joy. The Music Program here is second to none and utilizes the latest research and developments in how music helps with dementia. Click here to find out more.
Related: The Science Behind Music Therapy to Combat Dementia
Our Tic-Toc Choir has gained local fame with their music video “Don’t Define Me, Just Remind Me” and a documentary that was made about the choir called The Spirit of Caring. Check them out!
How Has Covid-19 Coronavirus Changed Assisted Living in Kalamazoo?
Isolation is hard on everyone but it is especially hard on those dealing with dementia. We are finding new and creative ways to keep our residents engaged and active while still maintaining safety measures. Here a few things we are doing:
- Eating in doorways. Now that our residents are isolated to their rooms we set up tray tables in their doorways during meal times. This allows them to see each other and socialize. We also call bingo and provided music and singing this way, too.
- More 1 on 1 time with staff. Both the staff and residents are enjoying getting to know each other better.
- Video Calls. We are utilizing Zoom and Facetime for our residents to connect with family. Many people have reported that they are communicating even more now than before the pandemic due to this technology.
- Physical Activity. Many people with dementia and memory issues tend to wander. We are allowing our ambulatory residents individual time to walk around the community and go outside when weather permits. They always have a staff member with them and this helps with restlessness.
- Staff Pictures on Shirts. All of our staff wear face masks at all times, which can make it hard for our residents to recognize them and ready their lips. Some of our staff have started to put a large picture of themselves on the front of their shirts. This has really helped.
Would You Like More Information?
Vibrant Life is providing Virtual Tours of all 4 of our locations. If you or a loved one is in need of assisted living, senior living, or memory care, we can provide the answers and resources to answer your questions.
You can visit our website for information on each community. For information specific to New Friends in Kalamazoo, please click here or call (269)372-6100 to speak with our Director of Admissions and Community Relations.
We are also updating our site regularly with any new information about coronavirus that is urgent or helpful to our staff, families, residents, and the community in general. You can find that information here.
Additional Resources
Musical Minute – Social Distancing with Song!
Message to Families of Vibrant Life Senior Living Residents from Dean Solden
