The ride starts long before the morning our team lines up on the starting line. Our fundraising goal is high but not impossible. We need to raise $3300 dollars for the cure. Will you help us? Donate by stopping in at the Methuen Village reception desk, or by visiting the event webpage at http://www.alzmass.org/memoryride/.  Thank you for your support!

The gazebo overlooking Ice House Pond on the Golden Pond campus

Senior Living Residences is looking forward to hosting friends and colleagues at Compass at Hopkinton for a fantastic Grand Opening Celebration on March 3rd!  After completing extensive building renovations, hand-picking a seasoned management team of experts, and implementing Compass Memory Support programming on all levels, SLR is ready to show off their newest memory support neighborhood!  This is SLR’s first Alzheimer’s care community in the metro-west area.  SLR brings a new approach to Alzheimer’s care within their Compass Memory Support Neighborhoods(R), with programs that are research-based, and proven to actually treat the symptoms of dementia.

Senior Living Residences has proven expertise in the senior housing industry since its inception in 1990.  Through its work with leading academic institutions and clinicians, SLR also enjoys an excellent reputation for its support of research to advance the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, receiving an award from the Boston University School of Medicine’s Alzheimer’s Disease Center for its efforts in this area.

SLR’s Compass Memory Support is unique in that it addresses the needs of seniors exhibiting the early symptoms of memory loss – often diagnosed as Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). MCI is marked by memory loss and mild confusion, and is often described as the stage between forgetfulness associated with normal aging and Alzheimer’s disease. Attentive family members may notice the early warning signs of memory loss or dementia: repeating questions; unnecessary worrying about small matters; difficulty following medication instructions; misplacing or not paying bills; and reduced interest in socializing and hobbies. SLR’s innovative research-based programs are designed to treat this group of seniors, and potentially delay the progression of their dementia.

Compass at Hopkinton is located within the well-established Golden Pond Assisted Living campus in Hopkinton, MA and serves the Metrowest area from Framingham to Marlboro and  Worcester,  including the smaller communities of Natick, Norwood, Sudbury, Medway, Millis, Maynard, Franklin, Sherborn, Grafton, Hopedale, Hudson, Wayland, Weston, Shrewsbury, Boylston, Bolton and Northborough.  The building offers a variety of programs, including a geropsych program, on-site rehab gym, traditional assisted living, and a daycare center.  Our Compass residents benefit from access to Golden Pond’s programs.  For instance, residents engage with the daycare children a few times a week, as they share in story-reading, art projects, and music.  We are confident that our new partnership will be beneficial to the entire Golden Pond Community.

On March 3rd, at 5PM, we will open our doors to town officials, elder care professionals, family members, and all who are interested in being a part of the celebration.  Stop in for a beverage and tasty hors d’oeuvres, and learn more about SLR’s Alzheimer’s care difference!  Visit www.compasshopkinton.com

The Standish Village will be having a health fair in honor of World Health Day.  This event will be held from 1:00-3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 7th. We encourage our community to stop in and receive information from local businesses and enjoy giveaways, raffles, demonstrations, and delicious healthy snacks.

Exhibitors will include: Caritas Carney Hospital, Elder Service Plan, YMCA, Partners Homecare, Eastern Therapeutics, Senior Companion Program, Partnership for Heart Healthy Stroke-Free Massachusetts, Milton Co-Op Adult Day Health Care, and Stil Mee Alzheimer’s Coaching Services.

Location: The Standish Village Assisted Living, 1190 Adams Street, Dorchester, MA, 02124.

We look forward to seeing you there!

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.

The student interns and the residents worked on building endurance and strength with exciting results. In the exercise group, the students asked the residents to do a little more each week, pushing them towards a new, but reachable goal. Over a period of ten weeks, the residents increased the amount of time they spent exercising, increased their repetitions in the movement group, and enjoyed the results.

Prior to the work with the student interns, the residents had participated in daily exercise, but they were all willing and able to do a little more. Research shows that exercise is an important part of maintaining cognitive health and may slow the progression of cognitive decline in people with Alzheimer’s disease.

Having enjoyed all of my holiday celebrations, I now begin to think about the new year. It certainly seems that exercise should be a priority.  And, do I have some motivation!