What’s a Day Like in Generations Memory Care?
When families begin exploring memory care options for their loved ones, a common question is what a typical day in such a community looks like. If you’re curious too, we’ve taken an in-depth look at Generations memory care at Mount Prospect Senior Living – a senior living memory care community that is reshaping the concept of memory care.
The Generations memory care program is unique in its approach to care for those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia – crafting days with team members who take their time to personalize daily experiences.
The benefits of senior living with memory care and the importance of routine for memory care residents cannot be overstated. Maintaining a consistent routine and schedule is not just important – it’s essential for the cognitive wellness of our residents. At Mount Prospect Senior Living, we understand that each day presents unique challenges. It also offers opportunities to create moments of joy and comfort.
Our dedicated team works tirelessly to ensure that every experience is meaningful. From personalized senior activities that spark cognitive stimulation to gentle guidance through familiar routines, we focus on enriching the lives of our residents, helping them feel secure, engaged and loved throughout each day.
Mornings at Mount Prospect
Each morning at Mount Prospect, memory care caregivers warmly greet residents as they head to breakfast, where they can relax with a cup of coffee or enjoy a catch-up with a neighbor. These simple moments of connection help create a sense of comfort and belonging within the community.
Over their morning coffee, residents hear about the upcoming day’s memory care programming, shared by team members through The Daily Chronicle, a special one-page newspaper that highlights the day’s events. This thoughtful routine mirrors a time when memory loss wasn’t part of life, offering familiarity and structure to help the day flow smoothly and peacefully.
Every day in Generations memory care, residents have the autonomy to choose how they would like to spend their time. Residents are empowered to choose the senior activities that bring them joy, with mornings full of energy and excitement, followed by a slower-paced afternoon perfect for rest and relaxation.
During the mid-morning, memory care residents are encouraged to participate in senior activities such as the Sweet Sensations Baking Club, where they prepare treats for the community to enjoy later. One of the benefits of memory care is allowing residents to engage in familiar hobbies, like baking, which helps residents reconnect with past experiences and skills, allowing them to take part in meaningful tasks that evoke cherished memories.
Memory care residents’ activities are rooted in the routines and long-loved activities they have enjoyed in their lifetimes. From scheduled physical exercises to spontaneous dance sessions, these lively moments are just as much fun for the residents as they are for the team members.
Afternoon Wind-Down With Mount Prospect
After lunch, senior memory care residents are invited to choose how they’d like to spend their afternoon, whether it’s playing a card game, soaking up the sunshine in the secure courtyard or enjoying a restful nap.
As the afternoon progresses, some individuals with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia may begin to experience a phenomenon known as sundowning. This refers to a period of increased confusion, anxiety or restlessness that typically occurs in the late afternoon and continues into the evening.
Sundowning isn’t a stand-alone condition but a set of symptoms that appear as the day draws to a close. The exact cause is not fully understood, though it’s believed to be linked to changes in the body’s internal clock, which regulates sleep and wake cycles.
While some residents may not go through this process daily, others may find it challenging at times. To ease these transitions, the community offers a peaceful sunroom where residents can relax as the day shifts into evening while taking in the late afternoon sun and sunset. This calming space – away from the hustle and bustle of the vibrant community – helps soothe the effects of sundowning, providing a gentle way to unwind after a fulfilling day.
Factors such as fatigue, unfamiliar surroundings and lack of cognitive stimulation can worsen late-day disorientation, so memory care caregivers at Mount Prospect work to reduce effects of sundowning by keeping a predictable routine for the day, including planning activities and exposure to light during the day to promote restful sleep and relaxation at night.
Allowing the time and sunlight to regulate internal systems is great in memory care for seniors because of the correlation between dementia and mood changes. Our bodies need the time to cool down before the end of the day. To aid with this, residents have individualized care plans in their memory care program to help these daily transitions.
Evenings at Mount Prospect
The transition from the slower-paced afternoon to dinner continues as residents make their way to the two dining rooms, allowing residents to choose a family-style table to chat with friends and team members or a quieter setting in the second dining room, where they can enjoy the peace of their meal quietly.
Many residents enjoy helping prepare for dinner, just as they prepared meals for family time during their younger years. If they are feeling especially helpful, some will take on tasks such as laying out dinner plates, arranging silverware and folding cloth napkins. These tasks help spark cherished memories of years past and give them a feeling of accomplishment as they contribute to the meal.
Memory care caregivers and other team members, including the professional culinary team who prepares the daily dishes, take time to venture out into the dining room and visit with residents during mealtimes, sharing laughs and daily anecdotes.
As the day comes to a close, senior memory care residents retire to their apartments for the evening, settling into their familiar surroundings, decorated with their family photos, keepsakes and items like quilts and favorite pillows. These personal items cultivate the perfect environment for a restful night.
Even when residents have retired for the night, the team is on alert and can promote safety for their residents. Mount Prospect Senior Living uses advanced safety technology known as SafelyYou, adding an extra layer of protection for residents in their apartments. This system instantly alerts team members to any incidents involving falls, ensuring prompt evaluation and follow-up care.
Building Bonds Beyond Care
What truly sets Mount Prospect’s Generations memory care program apart from other communities is its deep-rooted culture of family and connection. Memory care caregivers build meaningful relationships with residents, taking the time to learn about their preferences, hobbies and individual needs. Each resident is treated with the same love and attention one would give a family member, creating a warm and nurturing environment where everyone feels valued, supported and cared for.
“I love coming to work every day,” says Savannah Galindo, Assisted Living Vibrant Life® Director. “The residents really are like friends. I get to hang out with 60 of my best friends every day.”
While many assisted living and memory care communities claim to treat residents like family, the team at Mount Prospect demonstrates this commitment daily through their genuine investment in forming lasting, personal bonds with each resident.
It’s this approach that sets Mount Prospect apart from other senior living in Illinois – the high-touchpoint care, catering to individualized needs and moments of connection, and the genuine love for the residents and the work they do that puts Mount Prospect Senior Living as a top choice for senior care.
Interested in learning more about Mount Prospect Senior Living? Contact us today. We’d love to show you the amazing things that we are doing in our memory care programs and in our community.
