Sunrise Senior Living Provides Support And Tips For Spending The
Holidays With Loved Ones Living With Memory Loss
MCLEAN, Va., Nov. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In honor of
Alzheimer's Awareness Month and the holiday season, Sunrise Senior
Living (NYSE: SRZ) is offering tips and support groups to help
families as they care for the growing number of seniors with memory
loss.
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"The holidays can be a stressful time for any family and
celebrating with a loved one with memory loss adds unique
challenges," said Rita Altman, vice
president of Memory Care and Program Services at Sunrise. "The
holidays are meant for celebrating together, so it is important to
help those with memory loss feel that they are a part of your
celebration. By following these simple tips, you can include your
loved ones in more meaningful ways."
With more than 30 years of experience providing care for those
living with dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, Sunrise
provides the following tips to help families make this holiday
season more memorable:
- PREPARE: Remind family and friends they should "live in
the moment" with the person and accept that they may not be able to
remember. Develop ways to communicate with your loved one; however,
try to avoid saying "don't you remember when..."
- ADAPT: Individuals with memory loss often feel
overwhelmed. Try simplifying a table setting, turning down music or
asking people to speak clearly and a little more slowly to ease
anxiety.
- ENGAGE SENSES: Scents and memories are often closely
linked. Recreate a favorite dish or have your loved one help you
make it. Play their favorite holiday music, sing with them, or
dance together. Don't forget to incorporate your pets!
- GET SUPPORT: Taking a break from caregiving can be a
positive step for both you and your loved one. Turn to a local
Sunrise community throughout the year for support groups for family
members and short-term stays for loved ones.
Through November 17, Sunrise
Senior Living communities will be hosting Resources to Remember:
A Sunrise Support Group events aimed at educating and assisting
those who care for seniors with Alzheimer's disease and dementia,
which the public is invited to attend. Click here to find a nearby
community for more information on Sunrise's memory care services
and details on ongoing events.
"Sunrise offers advice, insight and encouragement to families
through community support groups for those living within and
outside Sunrise communities," said Nancy
King, senior vice president of Resident Care at Sunrise.
"Memory loss affects everyone differently, and at Sunrise, we focus
on understanding each individual senior as we aim to provide a
safe, familiar, yet stimulating environment for them, as well as
peace of mind for their loved one."
For more information about Sunrise's leading approach to memory
care, visit the memory care resources section of Sunrise's
website.
About Sunrise Senior Living
Sunrise Senior Living, a
McLean, Va.-based company, employs
approximately 31,600 people. As of September
30, 2012, Sunrise operated 303 communities located in
the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, with a unit capacity of
approximately 29,400 units. Sunrise offers a full range of
personalized senior living services, including independent living,
assisted living, care for individuals with Alzheimer's and other
forms of memory loss, as well as nursing and rehabilitative
services. Sunrise's senior living services are delivered by staff
trained to encourage the independence, preserve the dignity, enable
freedom of choice and protect the privacy of residents. To learn
more about Sunrise, please visit
http://www.sunriseseniorliving.com.
SOURCE Sunrise Senior Living