Dianne, who is a volunteer yoga instructor at the assisted living community where she lives, doesn’t plan on slowing down any time soon. “Teaching yoga gives me a purpose, and It keeps me feeling young”, she proudly states. “I feel fortunate to share a skill that I have worked hard to develop throughout my life.

Like many assisted living communities, The Arbors organizes a variety of outreach programs that offer their residents the opportunity to stay involved in the community.  Whether it is packing up birthday goodies for homeless children, knitting hats for preemies or volunteering at the hospital or local senior groups, Eddie and Dianne are proof that the tradition of giving is ageless and, as Eddie says,” If you don’t use it, you lose it and we’re using it.”

If you have a friend who has been recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease it may appear that they are “pulling away” or need time to come to terms with the devastating news.   Your friend is relying on you to initiate contact. Don’t wait for an invitation. As a good friend, only you may understand that uncharacteristic behaviors and personality changes are merely symptoms of a brain disease.  Your capacity for understanding along with the qualities that have always made you a good friend are the exact qualities that a person with Alzheimer’s needs: 

• You will not be judgmental. 
• You will be encouraging and make an effort to spend time with your friend.
• You will be patient when your friend has difficulty recalling a name or making a choice.
• You will be the one who understands that someone with Alzheimer’s needs frequent reassurance.  
• You will provide comfort when they become confused. 
• When your friend forgets something, you can become the reminder.
• When your friend is sad you will bring the smile that will lead to laughter.

 Now is not only the right time to be a good friend, but the only time; because with Alzheimer’s disease, the past will be forgotten and planning for the future will not be possible. 

Maybe it was the resident outings to Mckinstry Farms and Granville Country Store, or perhaps it was a group of residents, sitting out in the warm sun helping to shuck the fresh corn. The inspiration seemed of little importance next to the smiles and glow of the many fond recollections.  Conversations flowed of freshly snapped green beans, backyard gardens, hoes and weed pulling, berry picking and summer jobs working at the neighborhood farm.  Memories were as fresh as the shucked corn that day.

Serving fresh and local food is certainly a worthy goal and if it is achieved through local cheddar from Granville served at our monthly Wine and Cheese Party and if the locally made ice cream from Randall’s Farm & Greenhouse is an excuse to invite the preschool next door over to share,  all the better. The Food Service Department from The Arbors at Chicopee should be proud: goal accomplished, and more.

The environment in Reflections is designed to be very safe and comfortable. The structured activity program is failure free and structured daily to eliminate empty time in the resident’s day.

The program in Reflections reaches out to involve and interest each resident with the focus on the behavioral symptoms of dementia. These symptoms may include, but are not limited to, agitation, anger, frustration, depression, wandering and rummaging.

Therapeutic activities should focus on the person's previous interests, cue the person to old and recent memories and take advantage of the person's remaining skills while minimizing the impact of skills that may be compromised.

Any number of activities may be beneficial depending on the individual, and different activities may affect certain symptoms but not others. (For example, music therapy may improve eating in some people but not others.) Any former hobby or interest such as, gardening, cooking, painting and drawing, to singing, playing musical instruments and listening to music are implemented into the program.  Routine is essential: Activities that are done regularly, perhaps even at the same time every day if possible, may help establish routine and increase the person's sense of stability.

The Arbors includes many therapeutic activities that have shown favorable results in people with Alzheimer's. These include a multifaceted program of music, exercise, crafts and relaxation, as well as, structured sessions combining meditation, relaxation, sensory awareness and guided imagery. These mind-over-body techniques help to calm and soothe our residents.

The Arbors strives to promote the highest quality lifestyle for the resident by adapting the staff, environment and daily routine to meet the needs of each individual in our Reflections program.

Perhaps teen volunteer, Kyle Tavares was unaware of that perception or maybe he never believed it, when he decided to organize a fund raiser with the residents from The Arbors at Taunton.

The day Kyle found out his best friend, Tanner was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma, he knew he had to do something to help.  Kyle went into action right away and began recruiting his senior friends for this heartfelt project.

Immediately, money was donated, t-shirts were designed and The Arbors at Taunton was transformed into a t-shirt outlet for the day.  Teenagers from the community along with senior citizens formed long lines to purchase the t-shirt that read, “Creating a Cure 4 Team TanMan”.

Sales were successful and the intergenerational group raised over $1,800 for Tanner that day.  The fundraiser also succeeded in bringing together two generations and allowing each to feel productive and grow in appreciation for the other.

Providing opportunities that foster a positive attitude, a sense of personal worth is a goal The Arbors Assisted Living Communities is always striving for.

After earning her nursing degree at St. Vincent's College, she took a job at Providence Hospital, and then worked for a private doctor's office. She spent some time working for the Chicopee Visiting Nurse Association and settled at The Arbors of Westfield six years ago, where she serves as the Resident Care Director. It is a job she loves in the city she loves.

"It is so nice to be here," said Detka. "I see a lot of my friends' parents and people who knew my father or bought a motorcycle from him.  It's like reconnecting."

Detka said residents at The Arbors assisted living home don't need Facebook - they have their own way of social networking. Whether its playing cards in the sun room, having a coffee in the pub, or taking a day trip, residents at The Arbors are always busy interacting with one another.

"The Arbors is really good at making people feel vital," said Detka. Many residents have literally reconnected with old friends they have not seen since high school. Detka sad that's one reason residents feel at home very quickly.

Marketing Director Nicole Sweeney said when someone calls to inquire about residency; they almost always say they want to be put on a waiting list if there are no apartments available. "They want to stay in Westfield," said Sweeney. "Like Karen, applicants want to stay connected to the city they love."

Having a core staff from Westfield is one of the reasons residents feel at home. Detka said they enjoy the familiarity of being in their native city and being surrounded by people who live here, too.

"We always ask new residents if they know other residents," said Detka. "When there is someone familiar, it makes the transition much easier."

Detka said she has found her career home at The Arbors. Even her twin daughters, age 19, work for the company when they’re not in school.

Sweeney said Detka - and her daughters - are hard workers who are dedicated to the residents and The Arbors community. "Karen is the heart and soul of this building," said Sweeney. "She does her job, and whatever else needs to be done. She will answer phones so the receptionist can have a break, then go to the dining room and help to serve meals. She never says 'That's not my job'."

That work ethic and compassion is something her children inherited."The passion to care for people has been passed down through the Detkas," said Sweeney.  Don't tell the residents' grandchildren, but when Santa visits The Arbors, it's usually Karen's husband, Bob Detka, hiding behind the white beard!

And while Detka and the entire staff at The Arbors are dedicated to resident care, they never push anyone to do something they don't want. "They're the boss," said Detka. "I tell them I'm working for you."

Detka coordinates care for every resident based on their needs and desires.  "They have a say on what care they want," she said. "When I make a care plan, I ask them about their routines, when they eat, when they shower, how much help they want . . . we try to keep it as close to their familiar routine as possible."

Detka said residents truly make The Arbors their home, and assisted living is a fairly new concept.  "It used to be that people, as they aged, lived with family who assisted them," said Detka. "In this economy, everyone has to work, so most of the time the wife can no longer stay home and care for elderly parents."

Before assisted living facilities like The Arbors, the only alternative was a nursing home. For the residents of The Arbors, a nursing home is not the right place.  "They often did not need the level of skilled nursing in a nursing home," said Detka.

The Arbors offers as little or as much help as a resident needs and allows them to make their own schedule. Every day, The Arbors offers numerous activities, from exercise and knitting group to shopping trips and daily evening fireside chats.

"We take care of things so families can just come and be with mom and dad and enjoy being family," said Detka.

Many of those families are Westfield families, said Sweeney.  "Eighty-five percent of new residents last year were Westfield natives," she said.  While The Arbors is not exclusively for Westfield residents, Sweeney said many of the residents and staff are from Westfield and that is important to a lot of people. She said having someone like Detka there makes residents, especially the new ones, feel like they are at home right away. "The staff member who all the residents know is Karen," said Sweeney.

This year, Sweeney said The Arbors is combining Detka's focus on health and wellness with connecting to the community in a push to purchase local produce. With help from Chef Brian Bogusiewski, the valedictorian of his class at Westfield Vocational technical High School, Detka will help residents live longer and better with healthy meals made from food
from local farms.

"Wellness and nutrition are part of Karen's goal to keep residents here as long as possible," said Sweeney. "That is what we are all about."

The Arbors Assisted Living Communities are always striving to enrich the lives of its residents.  The effort to maintain an active profile in the community is a reflection of this goal.  We believe that our residents receive a sense of purpose and well-being when they can reach out to their community.

The Arbors Gives Back was founded in 2008 after Sondra Jones; the Marketing Director from The Arbors at Chicopee and Executive Director, Lisa Holt, were searching for a way to connect the assisted living residents to the local community in Chicopee, Massachusetts.  Sondra and Lisa, along with fellow employees, residents and local businesses joined together to host the first fund raising event.  In one evening, a dinner dance, called “A Night to Remember” raised over $3,000 for the Alzheimer’s Association.  The momentum was started, and with the persistence and vision of Lisa Holt, there was no stopping it.  Soon there were craft fairs, raffles, knitting groups and walking clubs in each of the seven Arbors locations, all organized and staffed by dedicated residents, employees and families.  In 2011 the second annual “Round to Remember” Golf Tournament raised over $15,000 for The Alzheimer’s Association.

 Since its humble beginnings, The Arbors Gives Back has continued with its mission to serve the needs of our residents by helping them to serve the needs of the community.  We believe the desire to serve is innately human and knows no age.

In the early stages of dementia it is more difficult to initiate friendships and activities. These are the connections that break down for people in this stage of the disease. In addition to the activities that are regularly offered to the residents, Connections offers small group activities during times when other programming isn’t occurring and when the activity scheduled might not be appealing to the memory impaired. Boredom and frustration are two of the most common causes of distress for those with dementia. If these residents are sharing an activity in a small group setting, it allows them to enjoy an activity that in a larger group might become overwhelming. 

Assisted living communities can offer great value to a family. These facilities serve to bridge the gap between independent living and nursing homes both in their levels of care and in terms of the associated costs. Residents are generally treated as guests rather than patients. These seniors do not require constant care, but may need a hand with normal daily activities such as bathing and dressing. Such day-to-day necessities are easily managed with the help of trained and committed staff.

Home Like Settings

Individual apartments give residents privacy and provide a home-like setting within a community. Personal furniture and effects can be set up, meals may be prepared and visits from friends, family and neighbors are easy to coordinate. On-site amenities generally include dining rooms, fitness facilities, hair salons, general stores, libraries and other communal areas. Caring staff is available at all times, making both seniors and their families feel secure.

Staff members assist with housekeeping and maintenance, but also handle important medication reminders, promote health and fitness, assist with personal care and offer transportation. Cultural, educational and social activities take place regularly to keep individuals stimulated and connected.

Memory Impaired Services

For those with memory disorders such as dementia or Alzheimer’s, some assisted living facilities also offer more specialized attention. These accommodations are created so that residents have the freedom to move around in a familiar contained environment, visiting neighbors and staying busy, while being kept safe and content.

Compassionate and experienced caregivers are well equipped to communicate effectively with these residents. Programs are tailored to each individual and his or her needs. Unique lifestyle plans are created to provide ways for residents to continue utilizing their talents and capabilities, helping to bolster self-esteem. Staff stays as integrally connected with family members as residents, understanding that involving them in the lives of their loved ones is an important responsibility and can offer mutual benefits.

Peace of Mind

Assisted living residential communities can offer great peace of mind. Combining dedicated attention and sensitivity towards independence, these facilities and their staff help seniors maintain a sense of pride in maintaining a personal living space while reassuring their families that assistance is always available.

The science of the past decade has demonstrated that love, companionship and community are woven deeply into our DNA. One study shows that mood in your 20s can predict your risk of being inflicted with Alzheimer’s disease in your 80s.

Your degree of social connection can be an indicator of how well you will avoid age related disease, as well as your odds of living longer. Love, friendship and community aren’t necessarily prescribed by your doctor, but they should be.

All connections matter in this new world. For many elders with families dispersed across the country, or for those who have families spending many hours in the workplace, it is imperative that connections with community are a priority.

Older men and women are recognizing the benefit of the community lifestyle that retirement housing such as assisted livings offer. These types of communal housing options offer opportunities to establish new relationships, share hobbies, or join learning groups. Residents who are living in these communities no longer require a car to take advantage of these opportunities. Very often there is an activity director who will arrange social programs to be held on the premises or will transport the residents in the community van.

You can’t shut emotions off. Like it or not, we are emotional beings. It is as much a part of you as breathing. If we understand this and consider its importance in our decision making process, our life or the life of our elderly parent will be better and maybe even longer. At the very least, it will not be lonely or boring.

Shorter days and reduced sunlight hours cause our internal clocks to get “out of step” with our daily schedules. Mild cases of the “winter blues” can be fought by staying active both physically and mentally. Our directors of activities Patricia Ricketts, Sheila Harrington, and Pauline Rebello have seen the effects of the blues, with some residents. They try to combat these symptoms by keeping residents at The Arbors busy with a variety of programs, games and social events. Their goal is to make sure there are activities that will keep resident’s minds working. Trivia or recalling memories are great ways to stimulate the mind.

Here are three tips most experts suggest:

• Find two or three activities you enjoy and participate in at least one of them each week.
• Avoid eating too much, especially foods with too much sugar, fat and caffeine.
• Make time to exercise. A walk outside in the sunshine is beneficial, weather permitting. Join a senior adult exercise class. Stay active.

It is important to remember that any one experiencing symptoms of concern should discuss this with his or her doctor first.

Regional Director
The Arbors Assisted Living Communities

Despite the losses they experience, most people who suffer from Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia still experience emotions. Because the brain can no longer maintain focus or acquire new information, the patient is left with a feeling of losing control. The result of this overwhelming feeling is anxiety, depression, and sometimes agitation.

The good news is that these patients can still feel joy, and a sense of accomplishment and pride, and most importantly, they recognize love. By reaching the patient through these emotions, it is possible to minimize the negative behaviors that many people with dementia experience.

The goal is to find the best possible supportive environment that will offer the right balance between supervision and opportunities to socialize, pursue hobbies, and maintain physical activity.

Assisting the patient to stay in their own home is ideal only if the environment can be modified to meet their needs. Most often, in the earlier stages of the disease, staying at home is not structured enough and a nursing home is too restrictive. An assisted living community with a specialized environment for memory impairment can offer activities that nurture self esteem and enhance the quality of life. Some assisted living residences are designed within a secure environment that allows the resident to move about safely without the risk of wandering from the facility.

Whatever supportive environment you choose, always inform your physician whenever symptoms of anxiety and depression occur and reassess the present living situation to be sure that the needs of the whole person are being met.