Choosing the Perfect Memory Care and Support Facility
When it comes to choosing a memory care facility, there are numerous factors to take into consideration. It is not simply about finding a place that offers specialized professional services, but also about finding an environment that provides the necessary support and assistance every step of the way for individuals affected by memory loss, dementia, or Alzheimer's disease.
At The Birches, a recognized leader in memory care, we understand the unique needs of seniors with cognitive support requirements. With our depth of experience, we have created a place where residents can truly live their best lives. Our commitment to excellence has earned us the prestigious "Excellence In Care Distinctive Community" designation from the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA), and the trust of our residents' families who rely on us for their peace of mind.
One of the key aspects that sets The Birches apart from other facilities is our exceptional staff-to-resident ratio. While many places have large populations serviced by few staff members, we ensure that every resident receives the assistance they need, whenever they need it, with a 1-to-8 staff-to-resident ratio. Additionally, we have dedicated licensed nurses available seven days a week to manage and administer medications.
Our commitment to professional expertise and support is unwavering, providing residents and their families with peace of mind knowing they have access to round-the-clock care.
In addition to our exceptional staff, The Birches offers a wide range of activities programming, available for 12 hours a day, every day. This extended availability ensures that residents have ample opportunities to engage in meaningful and enjoyable activities that enhance their quality of life.
Personalized services are also a hallmark of The Birches. We understand that each resident has unique needs and preferences, which is why we provide comprehensive, custom-tailored wellness plans and specialized meals and menus to meet nutritional and dietary requirements, including any restrictions. Our dedication to delivering support that enables every resident to thrive is evident in our high resident retention rate of 95% and staff retention rate of 85%, reflecting the exemplary level of service and satisfaction we strive to achieve.
At The Birches, we believe in utilizing innovative approaches to memory care, such as the Montessori Method. This clinically proven approach combines personalized activities, such as Music Memory Care Music Therapy, signage, and specific care principles to enhance residents' abilities and increase their satisfaction. Our popular
The Birches is proud to be the only memory care facility in Illinois certified in the Montessori Method. Instead of overwhelming residents with large, open spaces and complex layouts, our community is intentionally designed to "feel like home," with smaller, cozier nooks and gathering areas. We prioritize familiarity and ease of navigation, with high-visibility signage placed throughout the complex to make daily trips effortless.
Our commitment to maximizing residents' dignity extends to the integration of visual cues that reinforce memory and understanding. Important objects are placed within residents' line of sight, each space has its own name to improve familiarity, and ample signage is available to help residents navigate their surroundings easily.
Moreover, we offer "discovery opportunities" that allow residents to maintain their autonomy, comfort, and self-expression. By providing various recognizable objects, crafts, puzzles, and games that hold personal meaning, we create opportunities for residents to engage with new friends through activities they already know and enjoy, promoting social interaction and a sense of belonging.
Safety, hygiene, and peace of mind are of utmost importance at The Birches. Our commitment to resident safety includes removing clutter and extraneous objects and furniture to create a safe and secure environment.
We prioritize meticulous hygiene to ensure the health of our residents, frequently disinfecting all private and community spaces using the recommended UV-C disinfection process.
Our facilities are staffed with compassionate team members specially trained to care for individuals living with memory loss, and we utilize the award-winning Vigil Memory Care System, which employs hard-wired, passive sensors and sophisticated software to monitor safety without the need for residents to wear wristbands.
Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA)
At The Birches, we hold ourselves accountable to extremely stringent protocols and standards of care. We participate in annual audits from the Illinois Department of Public Health and biannual audits from the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA). Each lease includes a list of resident rights and resources, and we provide contacts for the DuPage County Ombudsman, should a resident need to address any concerns.
Finding the right memory care facility is a personal and important decision. It is crucial to consider the unique needs and preferences of your loved one to ensure they will thrive in their new home.
Using Montessori Senior Care to Improve Residents' Quality of Life
The Birches embraces the transformative power of the "Montessori" Method, a clinically proven approach to memory care. By incorporating this philosophy into our design, activities, and care principles, we enhance residents' abilities and ensure their satisfaction. As the only certified memory care facility in Illinois utilizing the Montessori Method, we are committed to providing a truly exceptional experience.
Extensive research has shown that bigger buildings do not necessarily equate to better care. In fact, large spaces with tall ceilings and extravagant amenities can be overwhelming for individuals with memory support needs, leading to increased anxiety and distress. At The Birches Memory Care community, we have intentionally created an environment that feels like home, where our team members treat residents as cherished friends and supportive neighbors. This is what a true home should be.
By embracing the Montessori approach, The Birches has deliberately chosen smaller, intimate spaces instead of vast expanses. Our community does not have long, confusing hallways or complex corridors. Furthermore, high-visibility signage is prominently displayed throughout the complex, making daily trips effortless and stress-free.
Each apartment has been meticulously designed with residents' daily routines and individual needs in mind. From the choice of flooring material to the strategic placement of lighting and the appearance of the closet, every detail has been carefully considered to align with the principles of Montessori care.
Additional Benefits of Memory Care
In addition to our thoughtful design and personalized care, The Birches incorporates various memory-enhancing elements to create a truly enriching environment. We understand the importance of visual cues in reinforcing memory and understanding. That's why we strategically place important objects, such as phones and help buttons, within residents' line of sight.
Each space within our community also has its own name, fostering familiarity and a sense of belonging. Additionally, we provide ample signage to ensure residents can navigate effortlessly from one place to another.
At The Birches, we believe in empowering our residents and promoting their autonomy, comfort, and self-expression. That's why we offer a range of "discovery opportunities" tailored to their preferences. These opportunities include familiar objects, engaging crafts, stimulating puzzles, and enjoyable games that hold personal meaning.
Engaging and purposeful memory care activities
By engaging with these meaningful activities, residents can create new memories and connect with like-minded individuals, fostering social interaction and a deep sense of belonging.
These additional memory care benefits, combined with our commitment to exceptional care and safety, truly set The Birches apart. We prioritize the dignity and well-being of each resident, creating an environment that promotes their independence and maximizes their quality of life.
Our facilities are safe and secure, staffing compassionate team members who are specially trained to care for residents living with memory loss. Daily wellness checks along with six-month mobility checkups shape each resident’s personalized care plan. These safety measures ensure that each resident is staying on track with their wellness goals.
The Birches also leverages the award-winning Vigil Memory Care System, which uses hard-wired, passive sensors and sophisticated software to monitor safety. This eliminates the need for residents to wear wristbands, which they may forget or damage.
Our emergency software system also “checks in” with each wireless device (pendant, bathroom button, bed sensor, door sensor, etc.) twice a day to make it is working properly.
Maximizing Residents' Dignity in Memory Care
Our Montessori principles and guiding philosophies all focus on optimum resident care, dignity, autonomy, and protection. We hold ourselves accountable to extremely stringent protocols and standards of care, and we participate in an audit from the Illinois Department of Public Health annually and a special AFA audit biannually.
Each lease includes a list of resident rights and resources. We also provide contacts for the DuPage County Ombudsman, should a resident need to elevate any concerns.
As you explore memory care facilities, there are many things to consider.
Each community is unique, and it’s important to find one that fits well with your loved one to ensure they will thrive in their new home. You'll want to tour the community to see how staff interact with residents and what the building layout is like. And you’ll want to make sure it provides the best in services, design, support, nutrition, activities, that enable you or your loved one to live their best life.
Experience all that The Birches has to offer. Schedule a personalized tour of our community and discover the exceptional care and enriching environment we provide. https://www.birches.net/contact-us