Blog
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A Novel Approach to Memory Care
We are pleased to share an article from Good Age magazine that features Emerald Crest by Augustana Care’s approach to memory care. You can see there is something different about our setting as soon as you arrive. Each Emerald Crest house consists of twelve to fifteens suites arranged around a central living and kitchen area,…
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Starting Out With Memory Care Placement
How Spiritual Care Supports Families in Transition at Augustana Emerald Crest “Your head tells you it’s the right thing to do, but your heart is breaking as you do it.” These are the words of the wife of a newly admitted resident to Emerald Crest. She joined our Caregivers Meal and Meeting recently. During our…
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The Memory Care Community Difference
The other day I took my son for an appointment at a small neighborhood clinic. When we left, I remarked to him about the warm, friendly staff. My 18 year-old son happily declared without sarcasm, “yeah, it’s called community!” Even at his young age he can feel the difference between a typical medical clinic and…
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Memory Care Experiences: A Gift of Faith
As a chaplain in Memory Care, I wear my clerical collar every day. It helps trigger memories of my role as pastor to many of my residents. Recently I visited a woman who frequently asks staff to help her find her home. She recognized my collar, intercepted me as I walked into the house and…
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Free Memory Care Consultations
Considering Memory Care Options for a Loved One? Are you worried about a loved one who can no longer live independently at home due to memory loss? Are you asking yourself, “What should I do? What type of care does Mom or Dad need?” It’s easy to become overwhelmed with one of the hardest decisions…
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Tranquility and Occupation
Thomas Jefferson once said “It is neither wealth nor splendor; but tranquility and occupation which give you happiness.” I once had a memory care resident who had worked as a grief counselor. She carried her old yellowing business card with her name and title in her pocket every day. Whenever she saw me at Emerald Crest,…
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Emerald Crest Enhances Capabilities to Help Those with Parkinson’s Disease
To enhance care to residents living with Parkinson’s, Emerald Crest has become a member of the Struthers Parkinson’s Care Network. Staff has been trained to increase awareness, maximize safety and improve the quality of life for people with Parkinson’s. Training will make staff more knowledgeable about physical changes seen in residents with the disease. This training…
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Moving Day for Memory Care
We all have all probably faced the task of moving from our homes to a new place. Even if we’re excited for it, usually it’s exhausting. Sorting, packing, lifting, carrying…fatigue often sets in after from the move. Then its time to unpack, which sometimes takes months. Now imagine if those carefully packed and sorted boxes…
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Christmas at Emerald Crest
When I asked our memory care residents at Emerald Crest what we do to prepare for company at the holidays, many said, “clean the house!” or “make sure there is room for everyone.” Darkness comes early in winter and we need light to help us prepare for the holidays. With a handmade Advent wreath and…
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Assisted Living Can Give You More Independence
We often hear people say “I wish we’d moved in earlier” or “I wish my mom or dad had moved here years ago!” We’re not surprised, but we DO understand why some of our readers don’t move sooner. While the majority of Americans say they plan to stay in their current homes, according to the…