Overview of the Center for Memory and Aging 
Introduction to Person-Centered Care

• Based on philosophy and research centered around person-centered care that supports the individual resident needs by analyzing the needs and desires of the person rather than being defined only by a medical diagnosis. This program includes a clinical process whereby Heather Hill memory specialists are able to discern, record, and monitor the quality of life indicators on an individual basis enhancing and preserving each resident’s personhood.

Facilities and Environments for Memory Care Residents

• Developed through research that analyzes the human behavioral needs of residents suffering from a memory loss diagnosis and then surrounding these needs with supportive and user-friendly environmental design. Some of these design innovations that have been copied worldwide include, curio cueing cabinets outside every resident’s room so that meaningful resident and family treasures can be displayed to help individual residents find their room, as well as, provide them a feeling of familiarity in a home style environment. Continuous well-defined walkways offer residents opportunities to promenade throughout their community neighborhood while maintaining visual assurance that they are not lost when they are trying to find their room, utilize their bathroom, or see the friendly faces of nurturing staff and neighbors.

• Nourishment Centers have replaced the traditional sterile nursing center providing opportunities for social interaction, ice cream socials, making cookies, interacting with staff, resident neighbors, family members, and visitors.

• Nourishment Centers have become focal points for neighborhood socialization. There are Nourishment Centers for every 12-15 residents.

• Resident accommodations are all private so residents and families have their own private space, as well as, semi-private socialization areas.

• Private accommodations have been found to help increase the quality of life of residents and family members by providing families and residents an opportunity for adequate space to bring their own treasured possessions and furnishings. Private accommodations decrease the opportunity for other residents to go through possessions other than their own. Private rooms also eliminate the anxiety and stress of living in the same room with a stranger.
   
• Resident private and public bathrooms are specifically designed for ease of finding the toilet facilities to increase their quality of life by decreasing incontinence. Heather Hill was the first organization to research ways to improve the utilization of bathroom facilities to significantly measure and lowered the incidence of incontinence and resident anxiety associated with incontinence. Private resident bathrooms are visually prominent from the resident’s private accommodations to encourage higher utilization. Individual private accommodation toilets also promote decreased levels of anxiety by eliminating the need to share bathroom facilities in semi private room accommodations.

• The memory care facilities at Heather Hill provide higher levels of natural light; specific colors chosen to enhance a sense of harmony for residents and families.

• Subtle architectural designs in windows and details are incorporated to help residents know that this is their specific home by providing unique architectural shapes informing the resident that this is a place that is familiar and distinctly theirs.

• The Memory Care Continuum Program also incorporates equal attention to the design of the outside, as well as, the inside incorporating accessible therapeutic gardens, non-toxic plants, promenade paths, and walkways in a secured natural outdoor setting. The outdoor areas provide residents unique opportunities to enjoy nature during outdoor activities, socializing with other residents, staff, family, and friends.

• The internationally renowned Memory Care Program at Heather Hill has a foundation based on years of research and experience. Heather Hill was one of the first memory care programs developed beginning in 1980. We were the first organization in the United States to incorporate Dementia Care Mapping as part of our person-centered care philosophy program. This program developed and implemented in cooperation with Bradford University in England, involves quarterly clinical mapping of residents, staff interaction and feedback based on the mapping process; and individual resident care plans developed utilizing this process to foster continuity and maintenance of past life style interests.

• The program process has the added benefit of providing Heather Hill employees the opportunity of understanding each resident’s life history and the individual personal characteristics that are unique and special to their identify and quality of life. Heather Hill memory care specialists offer residents and families a consistency of personalized care in all of Heather Hill campus wide memory care facilities and programs.

• The Memory Care Path Program is interdisciplinary, including team members from dietary, activities, social work, nursing, along with integrative therapy members; which includes dance movement, music, and art therapies. The Memory Care Path Program is reviewed on a regular basis by staff along with resident family members.

Therapeutically Based Program

• Helps family members and residents optimize their quality of life by exploring the strengths and individual personality characteristics of each individual resident.

• Through integrative therapies such as music, art, dance movement, massage, aromatherapy and Reiki, residents find avenues to express emotions, improve communication and reduce anxiety or frustration.

• The spiritual care is an important part of the interdisciplinary program providing all residents with spiritual care services and programs through Heather Hill’s Spiritual Care Department.

• As a partner with University Hospitals Health System and Case Western Reserve Medical School, we are also able to provide residents and families information and opportunities in the latest ongoing drug program research initiatives.

• Our leaders in dementia care have developed, in collaboration with the University of St. Francis, Joliet, Illinois, a curriculum entitled "Alzheimer’s Disease – the Person Makes the Difference." With the help of this accredited college course and accompanying textbook, all members of Heather Hill’s Dementia Services staff are prepared to support residents through significant life changes associated with memory loss. All care providers also participate in continuing education programs.

• Heather Hill’s commitment to research and education includes a six month student practicum program where students from throughout the United States and internationally come to live and work at Heather Hill as part of the integrative memory care therapy team. This program provides students a unique learning opportunity and also provides Heather Hill residents additional opportunities for meaningful interaction with highly motivated and dedicated individuals who are interested in the residents and improving their quality of life.

Memory and Aging Services at Heather Hill provide several levels of care to accommodate the specific needs of patients and families. These levels include:

• Day Care – With flexible hours of duration and times for bringing and picking up loved ones. This program is run seven days/week with a minimum of 4 hours up to 12 hours of time.

• Respite Care Programs – Available for overnight stays to accommodate care givers in need of a break from the rigors of full time care giving and/or to provide families the opportunity to travel for business and vacation while being sure that their loved one is properly cared for in an environment that enhances their quality of life.

• Corinne Dolan Center – Offers full time residential care in a internationally renown setting specifically designed and programmed for the individual needs of Alzheimer's residents and their families.

• Special Care Center – Offers a continuum beyond the Dolan Center for providing higher levels of nursing home care based on increased acuity while maintaining a quality of life through the seamless continuum of Alzheimer's programming and activities.
   
• Dementia Services Program – Complemented by acute rehabilitation services integrated with the Day Care, Respite Care, and full time continuum of residential and nursing home care.

For more information about Memory and Aging Services at Heather Hill use our interactive contact form or call (440) 285-7040.