From the moment you walk through the doors at The Arbors at Dracut you feel like you’re home — the classic chandelier hanging in the entryway, people chatting in the Pub and plenty of comfy couches and chairs to sit on. It’s a warm feeling that carries throughout the building. Whether you’re in assisted living or memory care – you feel the same way. “If someone makes the transition from assisted living to memory care, they will barely notice a difference,” says Kim, Program Director for Memory Reflections at The Arbors at Dracut. And that’s on purpose. The Arbors at Dracut designed their building to be a cohesive community with similar features on each floor. Similar Design & Feel Making the move to senior living is already an emotional time for senior adults. And if they have to move again from assisted living to memory care, The Arbors at Dracut wants it to be an easy transition. That’s why the layout for assisted living and memory care at The Arbors at Dracut was designed in a similar manner. Each apartment within the community is set up with the same appliances and layout. If memory care residents aren’t able to use kitchen appliances such as the stove or microwave, they are turned off securely by staff members. This gives memory care residents the same feeling they had in their assisted living apartments. The hallways throughout the community are also designed with similar features. There are benches or chairs placed at the end of each hallway, so it doesn’t feel like you’re walking forever. Residents are able to walk the halls to get in their steps for the day, but also stop and sit down if they’re feeling tired. “It’s a homey feeling here. I don’t feel like I’m coming to work every day. I feel like I walk into my own home,” says Kim. “People have preconceived ideas about what memory care should look like. When our residents are pretty much the same. If they’re next to our assisted living residents, you can’t really tell the difference,” says Jonathan Athenas, Executive Director at The Arbors at Dracut. Having a similar environment for the residents to live in gives them an opportunity to thrive where they’re at in their life. The activities in memory care and assisted living are designed specifically for them. Residents in assisted living may enjoy playing bingo every afternoon, while memory care residents also enjoy playing bingo, but with the numbers and letter in order, making it easier for them to follow along with the game. The meals are served in a similar environment as well. When you visit The Arbors at Dracut, you’ll feel right at home – no matter which floor you’re on.
Assisted Living & Memory Care – Making a Seamless Transition
