Dementia Care in Senior Living Communities During the COVID Pandemic

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Since the COVID-19 pandemic started, senior living communities often receive inquiries about how they plan to continue ensuring the safety of residents and their families. Families with senior loved ones affected by dementia are especially concerned, as those with memory conditions need well-rounded aid.

-- Since the COVID-19 pandemic started, senior living communities often receive inquiries about how they plan to continue ensuring the safety of residents and their families. Families with senior loved ones affected by any form of dementia are especially concerned, as those with memory conditions continue to need well-rounded aid.


Part of what sets some senior living facilities up for success against the COVID-19 pandemic is the smaller, more home-like design of the units. With a smaller bed count and a more personalized atmosphere, assisted living staff are better able to monitor and mitigate potential risks. Fewer residents are also a factor. Fewer residents allow assisted living staff to become more familiar with the individual habits and behaviors of the residents they serve. As such, Memory Care staff are more capable of quickly noticing sudden changes in resident behaviors and step in to ensure that care is administered promptly. In addition, smaller communities help ensure that residents are less exposed to potential contaminants.


One example of a community like this, is The Pines Senior Living in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania. The Pines Senior Living is composed of two wings of resident spaces, each containing 12 completely private, 1-per resident rooms, complete with en-suite bathrooms. These spaces attach to a central activity / living area, dining areal, and kitchen space. This design, as well as the separate Memory Care entrance, allows the Memory Care space to be completely independent from the rest of the personal care environment at The Pines facility. In addition to this unique, protective layout, the fact that The Pines Memory Care community is designed to house a small number of residents means that there are also fewer staff members coming and going from the units.


Senior living facilities also aim to foster a strong line of communication between residents, staff, and family members. An important goal of senior living facilities is to help families adjust to visitation restrictions by providing detailed communications each week. This way, families are kept aware of the way protocols are advancing and the manner in which their loved ones are being protected.


As a testament to these measures, The Pines Senior Living in Clarks Summit, PA, is proud to boast they they have had zero patient cases of COVID-19 throughout the entire pandemic.

Release ID: 89041085