The Moorings of Arlington Heights and Rainbow Hospice Partner to Implement Best Practices in Memory Care
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL (December 6, 2013)—It is estimated that 90 percent of people who survive to the advanced stages of memory loss live in residential nursing care homes. Through a partnership with Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care, The Moorings of Arlington Heights, a Presbyterian Homes retirement community, is undergoing education and training to integrate best practices in caring for those who need memory support.
The Moorings staff and families will participate in 12 hours of training, and assessment and consultation in the most current approaches to memory care over a one-year period. The program is being supported by the Retirement Research Foundation, Michael Reese Health Trust and other local grant organizations.
“With new research information provided through this training, we are increasing our individualized approach to residents with memory loss,” says JoAnn Powers, director of nursing at The Moorings of Arlington Heights. “Our resident-focused care plans ensure that a person's preferences in their daily activities are known and honored. Despite memory loss, that resident can still have a quality day.”
She continued, “Families are encouraged to understand that people with memory loss are often experiencing an unmet need that they express through behavioral communication. This program helps families to better understand those behaviors and to be in the moment with their loved one.”
Specialists in dementia care from Rainbow Hospice will lead the education classes in best practices for memory care. The sessions will address each stage of cognitive impairment with a focus on advanced stage memory loss. Training will include the latest approaches to pain management, interventions for challenging behavioral expressions and end-of-life planning for families.
“We are thrilled to partner with The Moorings because the retirement community has shown great interest in wanting to provide the very best of care for residents with memory loss,” says Dan Kuhn, project director from Rainbow Hospice and author of numerous books and articles about Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. “More than 200 staff members across all levels of care at The Moorings have participated in the training classes.”
Further, Mr. Kuhn stated, “We intend to do more targeted education programs for residents and their families to help them understand how they can remain connected to a loved one with memory loss.”
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About The Moorings of Arlington Heights
The Moorings of Arlington Heights is a Presbyterian Homes continuing care retirement community located in Chicago's northwest suburbs at 811 East Central Road in Arlington Heights, IL. The Moorings provides independent living in apartments or villas, assisted living apartments, skilled nursing care, memory care, and rehabilitation services.
About Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care
Rainbow Hospice and Palliative Care is a nonprofit organization serving terminally ill patients and their families in Chicago and surrounding counties. Rainbow Hospice empowers people to live with dignity and hope while coping with illness, loss, and the end of life. Rainbow Hospice offers extensive bereavement services, including the Good Mourning program for bereaved children, teens and their families as well as a Community Speakers Bureau, the Rainbow Hospice LIFE Institute for Learning and Rainbow Hospice Ark, an Inpatient Unit. More information about Rainbow Hospice can be found at www.RainbowHospice.org.