In honor of National Alzheimer Awareness Month (Nov) East Ridge at Cutler Bay is holding two Open House events at their new Three Palms Health Center with its neighborhood of Palm Court devoted to memory support.
The Open Houses will be on Thursday, Nov. 10 from 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 12 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. This is an opportunity to meet the staff and tour Three Palms including the memory support neighborhood.
Three Palms at East Ridge was designed with the care and safety of residents as its mission. The first of its kind in the area, Palm Lane at Three Palms Health Center is located within a safe and secured wing within the building which includes its own enclosed courtyard, walking path and screened veranda. The memory care area focuses on smaller areas that are more homelike with rooms centered around a living room/dining room and open kitchen. People always have a place to walk but without long corridors.
There are studio suites and one-bedroom apartments with two living and dining areas adjoining a country kitchen as well as a private dining room.
East Ridge has adopted a new philosophy of ‘choice and change’ which guided the development of the new Health Center. The Palm Lane memory care neighborhood is also reflecting these changes,” said Charnesa Wright, administrator of Palm Lane. Caregivers are being trained in both the Montessori Method and the Teepa Snow program of care.
A family now using the care at Palm Lane is Richard Gaschott. Gaschott had not envisioned his retirement would involve being a caregiver for his wife, Sue.
Married 40 years, Sue began exhibiting signs of dementia in her early 60’s. She would call Richard from the car to ask how to find someplace she couldn’t remember. “Her mother suffered from the disease and she had feared she would also be at risk,” said Gaschott. “But she seemed so young to develop the symptoms.”
For four years he tried to care for Sue at home. Now that she’s living at the memory support neighborhood of Palm Lane at Three Palms at East Ridge, it’s a much welcomed relief for the couple.
“I call them my angels,” said Gaschott as he explained the care provided to Sue at Three Palms. “The caregivers specialize in dealing with people with Alzheimer’s disease and know how to deal with her good and bad days. Whether it’s the front gate or reception, there is a warmth and friendliness found at East Ridge that is very personal.”
“Palm Lane caregivers know each person and their idiosyncrasies, added Gaschott. “The atmosphere is very calming and comfortable. It’s comforting to know the caregivers are providing the attention the residents need. Whether its fresh linens to cleaning after meals, there’s always attention paid to these details.”
“She laughs and smiles and I always tell her ‘I love you’ when I’m leaving,” said Gaschott. “She tells me she loves me too and that is how we always end our visits.
To learn more about Three Palms at East Ridge and the memory support neighborhood of Palm Lane, please call 305-256-3564.
