Remembering the Past. Improving
the Future.
 Caring for those with Alzheimer's disease and dementia requires
knowledge, experience, understanding and – above all – compassion.
ElderWood Senior Care staff receive continuous training from
some of the most skilled and experienced professionals providing
memory care today. Compassion, combined with the positive attitudes
of staff, drives the success of the program.
ElderWood offers two distinct programs within Memory Care:
the SEASONS Program, offered within ElderWood's traditional
skilled nursing settings, and the dedicated Memory
Care Unit,
offered specifically within ElderWood
Health Care at Wedgewood in Eggertsville, NY.
The SEASONS Memory Care Program
 ElderWood staff recognize that people with memory-impairing
disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, have special needs
and require specialized programming. SEASONS is designed to
meet the needs of these residents by providing an in-house
adult day program that celebrates the life of each individual.
Since residents most easily recall their past, staff use information
about each resident's past lifestyle, career, hobbies and interests
to develop personalized activities that make them feel comfortable.
As a result, staff develop family-like relationships with residents
and attend to their needs within the timeframe they are living.
Based on the concept of the seasons, the program supports
the three stages of Alzheimer's disease – First (Spring),
Second (Summer) and Third (Winter). SEASONS programming recognizes
each resident's current stage (or season) in order to offer
appropriate activities that enhance dignity, build self-esteem,
maintain interest and manage behavior. While a first stage
Alzheimer's resident may enjoy bread baking or gardening, a
third stage resident may find pleasure in sensory stimulation
like aromatherapy, soft music or conversation.
Since inception of SEASONS, participating facilities have
experienced many positive results, including more appropriate
resident behavior and a decrease in psychotropic medication
use. Weight loss is often reversed to weight gain while residents
overall quality of life is dramatically improved.
Memory Care Unit - ElderWood Health Care at Wedgewood
 The environment within ElderWood's Memory Care Unit is enhanced
by unique decorative and functional details, from specialized
furnishings and carpeting to "behind the scenes" nurse
stations. These features are specifically designed to maximize
resident comfort within this secure, residential setting.
Families of residents who may be at risk of wandering are
comforted knowing that their family member's safety and security
is enhanced by both the physical design of the Memory Care
Unit and the activities and re-direction provided by ElderWood's
well-trained staff. Through training, these staff learn to
think quickly on their feet and offer creative solutions that
promote a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere for residents.
In addition, nostalgic music and enticing aromas often set
the mood while individualized programming – based on
ElderWood's SEASONS model – keeps residents focused on
activities in which they are personally interested.
| ElderWood's
Experience |
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A critical factor in providing meaningful, successful memory
care services is understanding Alzheimer's disease and related
dementia disorders. We believe SEASONS and our dedicated Memory
Care Unit offer some of the best services available today because
they address the specific needs of these residents.
ElderWood's highly experienced and knowledgeable leadership
team in memory care features the immediate past president of
the Alzheimer's Association of WNY and our award-winning Director
of Memory Care Services, who also serves on the Association's
Board of Directors. Several ElderWood staff actively volunteer
with the organization, providing programming, facilitating
support groups and managing fundraising efforts. In addition,
ElderWood sponsors several annual events, including the Memory
Walk, caregiver conference and the Blue Moon Gala.
For more information about ElderWood's Memory Care Programs,
please call the admissions team at (716) 250-WOOD (9663).
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