Palmview at Gulf Coast Village provides personalized dementia care

By Adrianne Gerard

September is World Alzheimer’s Month, a time dedicated to raising dementia awareness and challenging the stigma that is frequently associated with it.

Every three seconds, someone in the world develops dementia. When an older adult is diagnosed with a cognitive impairment, there are many ways they can choose to navigate it. This includes moving into a live-in memory support community that provides older adults with a safe, familiar and personalized environment that also provides specialized around-the-clock care.

Palmview, Gulf Coast Village’s assisted living and memory support community in Cape Coral, works to improve the lives of residents dealing with cognitive decline with empathy, dedication and a unique, person-centered care approach. Globally, memory support communities have become a safe, resourceful option for older adults with memory conditions due to their high-quality and compassionate care, as well as opportunities for residents to engage with others in similar situations as them. When families need to place their trust in a community to compassionately care for their loved ones, they can turn to Palmview for peace of mind and an enriching, active lifestyle. Even as their memory fades, your loved one can still embrace moments with purpose and joy with the engaging care they receive in Palmview’s secure, comfortable, homelike setting.

For older adults, socialization is crucial for an enhanced quality of life. Social interaction can slow the progression of memory conditions, according to the National Council on Aging. Older adults with a memory condition also require specialized daily care, which isn’t always provided at your typical senior living community. Palmview’s memory support community is dedicated solely to the care of our residents with memory conditions. Palmview creates a comfortable, secure setting that is designed to reduce confusion and wandering, which are common symptoms of dementia. Every living space is personalized to the resident who lives within it, and at each doorway lies a personal memory box that showcases each resident’s life experience.

Amenities and opportunities for socialization and engagement are a focus at Palmview. Additionally, residents are on the receiving end of daily housekeeping and linen services, compassionate care, state-of-the-art programs and technologies, medication monitoring and administration, priority access to other levels of living at Gulf Coast Village – Cape Coral’s only life plan community – with licensed nursing staff on-site 24 hours a day, seven days week. Palmview associates receive specialized training in the latest memory care therapies, including proven technologies that work to enhance the quality of life of all residents, like LifeBio™, Music Connections, It’s Never 2 Late®, and virtual reality. Moreover, Palmview has several unique programs, including our Hearts of Palms philanthropy group, Practical Magic cooking class, weekly wine tastings and mindful meditation class.

Gulf Coast Village offers two specialized forms of care for older adults with memory conditions: assisted living for memory loss and skilled nursing for memory loss. In assisted living for memory loss, older adults are granted a helping hand with their daily routines while living in a private, independent setting with common areas for socialization with neighbors and participation in activities. Care plans are tailored to each resident’s abilities and preferences and are catered to support residents at any level of memory loss. Skilled nursing is designed for seniors who require more complex medical care or rehabilitation. Highly experienced nurses and aides are trained to work with older adults at all stages of memory loss, providing care that comes from the heart.

When a loved one is diagnosed with dementia, it’s normal to experience a wave of emotions, from sadness to shock to worry. To help families and caregivers navigate the diagnosis, the community hosts a monthly support group led by the Alzheimer’s Association. At the monthly meetings, loved ones are encouraged to share their thoughts, concerns, challenges and ideas in a confidential group. In return, attendees gain valuable tips and strategies on approaches to caregiving and self-care.

Memory loss is a heavy weight to bear, but Palmview tirelessly works to provide residents and their loved ones with the right tools, resources and support that they need.

About the author

Adrianne Gerard is the memory support program manager for Palmview at Gulf Coast Village. To learn more about Palmview, visit GulfCoastVillage.org/Memory-Care or call 239-510-8712.