The Right Assisted Living Facility Can Actually Help Improve Memory

April 30, 2015 by ·

Assisted Living in Mobile AL

When Brenda was 78, her husband passed away and living in the house all alone became more and more challenging for her. Just getting up and down stairs was a complicated situation and although she installed a stair lift to help out, she thought more and more about assisted living.

One major concern that her family had was the challenges she was facing with regard to her memory. Assisted Living in Mobile ALShe was forgetting more things lately, having a difficult time keeping track of appointments, sending out birthday cards, and even remembering to take the garbage out on Wednesday evenings.

When she talked to her family about her desire to move into assisted living, they were all supportive of her. One thing her oldest daughter mentioned that kept everybody thinking, though, was whether or not there were certain facilities that could help her with her memory.

Brenda had visited her doctor almost annually since she was 70 and even though she was dealing with some memory issues, there was no sign of dementia, including Alzheimer’s. That was a significant relief to her and the rest of her family, and her memory loss was most likely related to the natural effects of aging and not getting the brain enough exercise.

None of her family knew anything about memory care assisted living, but when they began researching it they discovered that there were actually facilities that can help Brenda focus on activities that exercise the brain on a regular basis. Some of the activities that these facilities encourage residents to participate in involved doing puzzles, solving riddles, playing strategic games, and much more.

The more they began to research memory loss and strengthening activities for the brain, the more they realized that watching TV -even though Brenda loved many of the incredible crime dramas and other programs- was not getting the brain any exercise whatsoever. Brenda found this hard to believe, especially considering how attentive she was watching these programs.

She would say, “I keep following the investigations along and struggle to solve the question of who did it, so why wouldn’t that be getting my brain exercise?”

The truth is that watching television is a sedentary activity for the brain. It is simply absorbing information rather than processing it and thinking in a deeper, more analytical manner.

Eventually they found the ideal assisted living facility for Brenda and within the first few months she was getting more exercise for her brain than ever before. It was the best move she could have made.

If you or an aging loved one are considering Assisted Living near Mobile, AL, contact Ashbury Manor Specialty Care and Assisted Living at 251-317-3017.

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About Cindy Johnson

Ashbury Manor’s Administrator since 2008, Cindy Johnson is a long-time expert in the assisted living field. Prior to her arrival at Ashbury Manor, Cindy managed acquisitions and crisis management for existing and new larger senior care project developments for eleven years. As regional manager for an Oregon-based assisted living management company, Cindy was directly responsible for operations for five 50-65 bed assisted living facilities. As manager during the transition to new ownership, Cindy reorganized internal operations and conducted leadership training for Executive Directors. As a result of her management and expertise, one of the company’s facilities (in Ocala, Florida) received a deficiency-free survey, resulting in the lifting of a moratorium on operation.

A nurse for 36 years, senior care has always been Cindy’s passion. Desiring to work more closely with residents, Cindy became a Category II Administrator in 2005. As Ashbury Manor’s Administrator, Cindy understands the complexities associated with dementia and cognitive impairment and she has fallen in love with seniors with dementia or cognitive impairment and their families.

Cindy is Treasurer of the local “Senior Coalition” chapter. She enjoys mentoring new candidates who want to become administrators.

As a 16-bed facility, with Cindy's training and experience, our residents and their families can be sure Ashbury Manor’s carefully selected staff provides the expertise of a larger facility while maintaining the individualized personal care of a small special needs home.
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