The Legacy Willow Bend, Plano’s only true life care retirement community, is dedicated to providing exceptional care and services for those who live there, and recent innovations in memory support have presented even more possibilities. With the goal to enhance the residents’ lives, staff members have implemented new programs to ensure that the seniors are engaged and utilizing all of their senses to experience life around them. Diane Dunsmuir, memory support specialist for The Legacy Willow Bend, strives to create unique opportunities through four main areas of development: a sensory reminiscence therapy program, aromatherapy, mathematics and music therapy. From recreating life experiences with the reminiscence program to using essential oils in aromatherapy to incorporating the Legacy Math Challenge and offering an endless selection of music for residents, the positive impact is remarkable. Such programs are enormously meaningful to the family members and loved ones who witness the powerful effects on a regular basis, like The Legacy Willow Bend resident Joe McIlhaney, whose wife lives in memory support.
“I have noticed that the way the staff in memory support urges the residents to branch out and experience new things has been great for Marion,” said McIlhaney. “Every time I visit, an activity is going on, and she is there with others, even if she’s not directly participating. She’s present and observing, not isolated in her room, which leads to declining in health. She’s engaged and trying things like art – something she never would have done before.”
The aromatherapy program is among the newest ways Dunsmuir and the staff members are seeing the seniors share more. According to Dunsmuir, research shows that aromatherapy can help with a multitude of issues, such as depression, appetite, relieving pain and relieving anxiety. Certain oils help with memory as well.
“I’ve already witnessed a resident who never speaks much open up and share stories from her past while receiving an aromatherapy massage with lavender oil,” said Dunsmuir. “That is an example of real results we aim to achieve.”
Abby Smith also noticed the way certain innovative programs offered through The Legacy Willow Bend’s memory support benefit her mother who lives there. She has been excited to see the way her mother tries new activities, and she enjoys how the staff encourages her to continue learning.
“I was so pleased during a recent visit when I saw firsthand the way staff members work with my mom to stretch her boundaries and comfort zone in order to tap into her personal frame of reference,” said Smith. “My mother took piano lessons as a young girl but hadn’t played in years and had never even seen an electronic keyboard – much less known what to do with one. However, when a keyboard was placed in front of her, it was as if I was watching her truly come alive. She began playing beautifully on the keyboard just like she had on the piano so long ago. It was a magical experience for both of us.”
The sensory reminiscence program The Legacy Willow Bend offers involves a specific weekly activity with a central monthly theme based on timely occasions and holidays. One time, they hosted a prom event for the residents for which they got dressed up and invited spouses to join as they reminisced about their dance or prom experiences or first kisses.
“All of the residents and spouses got dressed up, did their hair and makeup, and there was even a couple of tuxedos. Some of the families brought in pictures and yearbooks to share and helped their loved ones get ready for the event,” described Dunsmuir. “We had appetizers and entertainment with songs from their prom era. The place was decorated accordingly with an area for photo-taking.”
Another major life event recreated was graduation. The event focused on celebrating everyone’s education and life accomplishments, including high school, college or universities, careers and families. Some of the residents’ family members brought in yearbooks, photos, and things from their employment to share. Each person put on the cap and gown when they were called forward, pictures were taken at the podium, and Dunsmuir shared the life history of each resident.
“December’s reminiscence programs were about the holidays at different stages of the residents’ lives. We started by having them reflect on how they celebrated that time of year during their childhoods,” said Dunsmuir. “I had different scents of the holidays. We played their favorite holiday songs and discussed their holiday meals. Another week, we had them discuss what they recall about the holiday season when they were young adults. Traditional holiday foods were brought in for them to enjoy. We incorporated as many of the senses as we could to connect with them on a deeper level.”
McIlhaney appreciates the way the staff is passionate about getting the residents to open up and about integrating new processes to encourage involvement. That is especially important to him since he believes that lack of stimulation with people who have dementia can lead to other health problems.
“I am convinced that even though a lot of the cognitive abilities have lessened with Alzheimer’s and dementia, there is still something going on deep down in the person’s heart and mind,” said McIlhaney. “I am glad to know the staff members at The Legacy Willow Bend’s memory support strive to give my wife the highest quality of life possible.”
The Legacy Math Challenge program is based on extensive research and studies done in Japan referred to as “Saido Learning.” The residents solve math problems, which helps stabilize and increase cognition with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Dunsmuir has noticed that all residents can answer basic math facts, even in some of the later stages of the disease process.
“The programs and activities provided by the memory support staff are absolutely phenomenal,” said McIlhaney. “So much research, planning and creativity go into everything they do and offer for those struggling with dementia. Each individual there may be on a different level, but I’ve noticed how the staff encourages every one of them to try new things and have new experiences while treating them with the utmost dignity.”
ABOUT THE LEGACY WILLOW BEND
The Legacy Willow Bend, Plano’s first and only life care retirement community, is situated on a 28-acre site at Spring Creek Parkway between Preston Road and Ohio Drive. The Legacy Willow Bend offers resort-style services and amenities for active, independent seniors, as well as all levels of health care services on-site. The community features 103 independent living apartment homes, 12 custom independent living villas, 40 assisted living apartment homes, 18 memory support suites, and 60 private skilled healthcare suites.
The Legacy Willow Bend is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit retirement community owned by parent company, The Legacy Senior Communities, Inc. The Legacy Willow Bend, the only Jewish-sponsored life care retirement community in Texas, is open to people of all faiths. For information, call (972) 468-6208, or visit www.thelegacyWB.org.