Location Info:
940 W. 8th Street
Mountain Home, ID 83647
Phone: 208-587-0144
Fax: 208-587-7384
Caring for a loved one with dementia such as Alzheimer’s can be very difficult and trying.
You probably have a million different questions right now, such as:
- Where can I find information on their diagnosis, care needs, and care facilities?
- Are there things I can do to help stop or reverse the progress of dementia in my loved one?
- How do I know what they should be eating, how much exercise they should get, and where can I find other health related information?
- What do I need to know about the legal and financial concerns we are facing?
The uncertainty of it all can be overwhelming and, frankly, a little scary. Depending on which stage of dementia your loved one is in, you have noticed small changes (that are concerning, nonetheless) or big changes that have affected your loved one’s personality completely.
Anger and frustration are common emotions that you and your loved may experience from time to time. This is normal and you shouldn’t feel guilty about your feelings. If your loved one is directing those emotions towards you, please don’t take it personally. Keep in mind that this disease can cause a person to act more aggressively or differently than they have in the past. This isn’t a reflection of their character.
The good news is that there are some things you can do as a care provider to help your situation:
- encourage your loved one to share his or her feelings with you or even in a journal
- find and participate in activities you both enjoy
- help them get plenty of exercise and spend some time outdoors when possible
- prepare healthy meals with lots of vegetables and nutrients
- work to avoid stressful situations for both you and your loved one
- find support groups in your area to help you find others who are or have gone through what you are experiencing
Although there are no known cures for dementia, this disease can be treated and managed at certain levels. However, Alzheimer’s and other memory loss diseases do progress over time and the time may come when personally caring for your loved one can become overwhelming.
When that time comes you may want to consider choosing a care facility that is experienced in caring for individuals with dementia. Although assisted living facilities can be a good choice when the resident simply needs help managing their day-to-day living, caring for a person with dementia requires a different level of expertise and experience.
At Ashley Manor Memory Care facilities we take the responsibility of caring for your loved one very seriously. We believe that each of our resident’s is unique and special. We believe they should be treated with dignity, respect, and kindness. We also believe they should be given the highest level of care available.
When you choose Ashley Manor as your care facility we provide the following services in a professional, loving manner:
- assistance with all activities of daily living
- 24-hour on-call nursing assistance
- private or semi-private suites
- specialized continuing education for Staff
- linen, laundry, and housekeeping services
- medication and oxygen assistance
- incontinence and behavior management
- individual specialized activities and therapies
- 3 nutritious home-cooked meals per day, plus snack
- 24-hour care and supervision by trained staff
- high-tech alarm systems
- secured backyards with tranquil walking paths and patios
- home health and hospice services also available
- specialized diets available
- wheel chair accessible
The items listed above are fairly standard, but our approach to each service is what sets Ashley Manor apart as a premiere care provider.
As just one example, we offer a variety of sensory therapies designed to minimize behaviors associated with memory loss while enhancing quality of life.
Aroma Therapy: We use our own proprietary blend of oils that calm behaviors and soften depression.
Music Therapy: We incorporate Resident Appropriate Music with sensitivity of rhythms and beats to instill a calming effect.
Light Therapy: Natural lighting spectrum, that replicates natural sunlight, is used throughout our facilities. This therapy helps eliminate “Sundowners,” create more energy, and improve sleep patterns.
Reminiscence Therapy: This therapy slows down the progression of memory loss through brain exercise and stimulation.
Hydration Therapy: Allows for better balance, helps stave off infections, lessens skin tears, and minimizes behaviors.
Customized Activities: Keeps minds and bodies active and life more meaningful.
Small, Home-Like Facilities: Each home is designed to provide peace, comfort, and less confusion in daily activities. From circular walking paths that always lead back to where they start to memory boxes in front of each suite, we do our best to help minimize natural fear and confusion from this debilitating disease.
We know that making this choice is difficult for you, your loved one, and your entire family. In fact, the Founders had to make this same choice for their own loved ones, which is why they started Ashley Manor. They wanted a residential care facility in which they could place their loved ones who were dealing with dementia. Finding existing homes lacking in the demanding standards they required they decided to create their own facility that would live up to the quality of care they envisioned.
From all of us at Ashley Manor Memory Care Centers, we appreciate the trust you would place in us to care for your loved one as if they were our own.