Memory Care

Caring for a loved one living with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia can be frustrating. At times caregivers may be challenged to stay calm when coping with difficult behaviors while providing memory care services. But imagine the stress the individual living with dementia is experiencing. Senior living residents with dementia may slowly lose their short-term …

For hundreds of years, people have found ways to express themselves through art. Today research is demonstrating that creating art has benefits for residents in senior communities living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia. According to the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation, research suggests that artistic engagement at senior communities may help to ease …

Every fall people around the world come together to raise awareness and challenge the stigma of Alzheimer’s disease. Next month, November is National Alzheimer’s Awareness Month—a time to heighten awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and show support for the more than 5.8 million Americans living with it. It is also a time to share  information about …

Moving to a retirement community is a major life change. Many people assume that if two spouses have different care needs, they cannot live together. Being separated from a life partner can result in temporary feelings of stress and anxiety and, in the long term, develop into loneliness, which has been shown to affect health …

A good night’s sleep is so vital that the average healthy person will spend nearly one-third of their lives sleeping. As we age, it’s common that sleep patterns will change – although for some seniors, unfortunately, these sleep changes can prove to be harmful. Staying educated on the importance of sleep and healthy sleep patterns …

The world may look a little different right now, but one thing hasn’t changed: our commitment to ending Alzheimer’s disease. Country Meadows and Ecumenical Retirement Community will be fundraising and holding a Walk to End Alzheimer’s on our campuses for our co-workers and residents. We are asking our family and friends to leave a comment …

Maryland and Pennsylvania retirement living communities, including Country Meadows, have been tirelessly working on how to give the best and most reliable care to residents during this fragile time. Thanks to our compassionate co-workers and our executive team members’ dedication, several of our campuses are ready to bring some normalcy back to our senior independent …

Now under the third generation of family ownership and management, Country Meadows has consistently strived for one goal: caring for others. At each senior independent living community we own, fostering the well-being of residents is carried out on a daily basis, but behind-the-scenes, Country Meadows has worked hard to make all our co-workers feel supported …

Our promise of Home Sweet Home begins long before a resident moves to Country Meadows. In a blog earlier this month we spoke about how important it is, not only to our residents but also to our co-workers. Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Tom Baker, has been with our company for 17 years and …

Mom and Dad haven’t been the same for some time. As their kids grew older and moved hours away, and they sold their family business, many of the joys of conversation and socialization were lost. They now watch hours upon hours of television—Mom occasionally works on some of her favorite pastimes, like crafting and sewing. …

Steve Klotz, Executive Director of Validation Education, joined Country Meadows in 1995. He was looking for a career change when a friend told him Country Meadows in York had an opening for a chaplain. He wasn’t sure he was the right fit, but he took a chance and soon fell in love with the residents. …

November is not only the month of giving thanks and enjoying the last of fall foliage, but it’s also Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month and National Family Caregivers Month. This month, the Country Meadows assisted living team wanted to celebrate the people who selflessly give to those closest to them. More than 40 million Americans act …

As we grow older, it is normal to experience some degree of memory loss. People naturally begin to endure a decline in brain activity after the age of 50, leading to common memory issues like the name of an acquaintance, where we left our car keys or the date or location of an important appointment. …

Sept. 8th is National Grandparents Day, and it’s a great time to thank and pay tribute to these senior family members for all they have done. While we shouldn’t need a special day to do this, sometimes it’s helpful to be reminded to show our appreciation or to say, “We love you.” Grandparents Day was …

People who retain their vision, hearing and physical reflexes are driving today at ages beyond those of previous generations. But no matter how long you have been driving, you’re never too old to heed advice for safe driving. Follow these tips for safe driving (with input from the Mayo Clinic and HelpGuide.org): Stay physically active …

Joel Kroft, Executive Director of Memory Support Services, is celebrating 15 years of service with Country Meadows, 11 of them in his current position after previously serving as a trainer for memory care staff at our campuses. After college and graduate school, where he studied developmental psychology and adult development and aging, he cared for …

With the senior population growing each year, more and more older Americans are embarking on travel adventures with their families. Recognizing this trend, hotels and airports have begun to rethink and modify services to meet this age group’s changing mobility needs. While that’s great news for senior travelers, families of those with dementia need to …

The other day I talked with a new resident and learned where she was from, what she did before her retirement and her favorite activities. I helped her recall some of memories by asking a few questions, which she readily answered. As we got deeper into our conversation, I noticed that she kept repeating herself …

Managing prescription drugs can be difficult and even risky for seniors with memory issues, particularly if they live alone. Their risk for drug-related problems increases further as they age or take additional medications. Survey results released by AARP have shown that 80 percent of Americans ages 65 and older take at least two prescription drugs. …

Cold weather months are the peak season for house fires and related injuries and deaths, with cooking and heating equipment as the main causes. Americans 65 and older account for just 15 percent of the population but make up 40 percent of fire deaths. Consider these sobering statistics from the U.S. Fire Administration: In 2017 …