Senior Living Residences (SLR) is thrilled to be opening Compass at Golden Pond in Hopkinton, offering our research-based treatment for the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease in the metro-west area of Massachusetts for the first time.

Golden Pond Assisted Living, Hopkinton, MA

SLR’s Compass Memory Support will be coming to Golden Pond Assisted Living as of July 1^st, serving individuals with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease.

This exciting new venture will expand Compass Memory Support, enabling more individuals to benefit from this innovative program.

Let me know if you want more information.

Senior Living Residences’ Compass Memory Support Assisted Living offers individuals with Alzheimer’s disease the opportunity to live fully. Compass Memory Support’s unique program includes a focus on research, diet, learning, and exercise. In combination, these innovative research-based programs work to treat the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease in the assisted living setting.

At SLR, residents with Alzheimer’s disease are recognized as individuals with a disabling illness. Treating the symptoms of their disease provides the opportunity to uncover and regain some of their lost abilities. In the right setting with the right support, these individuals can lead active, purposeful and inspiring lives.

A recent study conducted by a group of New York researches have found that certain foods can help ward off the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers examined the dietary habits of 2,148 older men and women, age 65 or older and free of memory loss or other symptoms of Alzheimer’s. The study determined that brain-healthy foods including salad dressing, nuts, fish, tomatoes, poultry, cruciferous vegetables, fruits, and dark and green leafy vegetables may help protect against Alzheimer’s disease. Conversely, particular foods may be bad for brain health and may be linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s including total fats, particularly saturated fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids.

At Senior Living Residences, we have a truly holistic approach aiming to improve our residents’ quality of life. Nutrition is one of the most important. SLR is the first assisted living company in the nation to offer the Memory Preservation Nutrition® program, developed by internationally recognized expert Nancy Emerson Lombardo, PhD. With our years of experience, we know there is a better way to provide care for individuals with dementia.

Concord Council on Aging hosted a program on care options for seniors with Alzheimer’s Disease and related disorders on April 7, featuring presentations by The Liberty Alzheimer’s Partnership and Robert Larkin, president and founder of Senior Living Residences.  Concord Park, a Senior Living Residence, sponsors The Liberty Alzheimer’s Partnership and frequently hosts their meetings.

Diabetes is a known risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists believe this risk is due to blood vessel problems as well as tissue damage from fluctuating blood sugar levels and insulin resistance. Major depression has also been noted as a risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders.

A recent study has found that major depression more than doubles the risk factor for dementia in adults living with diabetes. The study article in the Journal of General Internal Medicine noted that depression is common among people with diabetes and advised clinicians to add appropriate screening and treatment measures. Additionally, the study noted the need for exercise as well as weight and blood sugar control to protect people with diabetes from developing cognitive deficits.

It is not known how diabetes and depression interact to result in the increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders.

Noting, the link between exercise, diet, and brain health, Senior Living Residences offers an exercise program in all of its communities as well as an innovative nutrition program.

Whenever I do a family or professional training , I ask the audience members to consider what remains when someone is living with Alzheimer’s disease, as compared to the many losses the individual is experiencing.

This past week I spent some time with residents in the Compass Memory Support at the BayView Assisted Living, a community owned by Senior Living Residences. One of the residents had some difficulty walking into the dining room at lunchtime. The associates quickly offered her assistance and she rested in a chair for a few minutes before continuing in to have her meal.

Another resident, who had watched the scene closely, approached the staff and offered his services. Once he was assured that everything was fine, he went in to have his own lunch.

I spoke to Jennifer Hoadley, the Program Director, about the resident who had approached to offer help, commenting on his composure, true concern, and fast action. She said, “he is a former Boston firefighter and is always right there when anyone needs assistance.” Although he is now living with Alzheimer’s disease, his lifelong call to the service and safety of others remains, unchanged by his disease.

The early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease include decreased judgment, lack of initiative, challenges in solving problems, difficulty completing tasks, and withdrawal from social activities.

Residents at Senior Living Residences' Standish Village organized a fundraiser to benefit Haiti Relief.

I have a different picture of Alzheimer’s for you today, shared with me by Brooke Patterson, Memory Support Neighborhood (MSN) Program Director at Standish Village, a community owned and managed by Senior Living Residences.

Most days Brooke begins her day by encouraging the residents, living on the MSN, to come to her daily activity program. The day after the earthquake in Haiti, she came into the community and asked the residents to do just that. The residents all looked at her and asked, “What are we going to do?” She smiled and replied, “Something fun,” the response she offers on most days. The residents looked at her and said “Don’t you know what is going on in the world? We shouldn’t be having fun, we need to do something to help!”

More residents of Standish Village who are organizing a food and water drive to benefit haiti Relief efforts

Hearing about the tragic earthquake that occurred in Haiti, the residents were driven to action to offer compassionate assistance to those in need like many of us across the globe. Responding to the crisis, they have organized a community-wide food and water drive to donate to the Haitian Relief efforts.

The resident-directed drive was organized by individuals who are actively engaged, directed in their purpose, and proud of their compassionate efforts. Each one is living with Alzheimer’s disease.