By Karenlyn Barone
Reminiscence Neighborhood, designed for those battling Alzheimer's Disease, is a special unit within Sunrise Assisted Living of North Lynbrook, and it is being heralded as a caring and compassionate programs, aiding those with memory impairment and enhancing their quality of life.
The concept is simple and remarkably successful. The Reminiscence Neighborhood is designed to look and feel like home to its patients. The common rooms are filled with pleasant sights, sounds and aromas, which create an atmosphere that replicates the warmth of home.
The skilled and compassionate caretakers create pleasant days for their patients by involving them in activities that stimulate their memories in a safe and protected environment. Patients are encouraged to sing, bake in the open kitchen area, or simply sit by the fire and feel good about their surroundings.
Resident Ruth Taff has a soprano voice that she exercises daily, singing along to patriotic songs of World War II. The songs, piped into the common room, trigger Taff's longterm memory and create a place that is comfortable for her.
Our whole philosophy in Reminiscence Neighborhood is to create a pleasant day, said Christine LoNigro, director of business development. We don't belittle anyone. We go with them, wherever their memory takes them.
One innovative aspect of the program is the Snoez room. Patients who are feeling agitated or uneasy due to their memory disorder may go to the Snoez room on their own or may be guided there by a staff member. There they can relax on a sofa, listen to soothing music, be embraced by aroma therapy or enjoy a massage.
The multi-sensory room is a Dutch concept. There are no restraints used in Reminiscence Neighborhood, nor chemicals administered to subdue bad moods. Rather, the staff is trained to help patient over difficult periods with soothing solutions.
The foundation of the program is a pledge to serve patients with kindness, love and professionalism, and the Reminiscence Neighborhood is full of dedicated staff members. Lauren Cohen, coordinator of the program, visits with the patients, providing stimulating activities and getting to know each of her patients in order to provide them with the best care.
We really care about the people here, said Cohen. We currently have 25 residents in Reminiscence Neighborhood, and we keep it scaled down so that we can provide more personalized care.
Another unique aspect of the program is the independent lifestyle the patients are encouraged to lead. The patients wake up at their own time, and are assisted with dressing and grooming, if necessary. They are free to eat breakfast at their leisure and enjoy morning activities when it suits them.
You must adjust to them, not them to you, said Cohen. It's OK to be yourself here.
Much like their lives before intervention, there are no regimented schedules. The patients are free to spend their days in a way that is pleasant and comforting for them. There are no set visiting hours, and the residents can even have pets, provided they are able to take care of them.
Life is simplified here, said LoNigro, Our goal is to allow people to be as independent as they can, with dignity.
Reminiscence Neighborhood was the brainchild of Sunrise Senior Living's founder and CEO, Paul Klaassen. Both Klaassen and his wife, Terry, had first-hand experience with senior care. When Terry's mother was diagnosed with a terminal illness, she became her primary caregiver when the family decided against a nursing home. Paul, on the other hand, watched his own grandmothers live out their final years in a warm, homey environment in his native Netherlands, where there were more choices for seniors.
Paul clearly saw the advantages of the Dutch senior-care system, and decided to bring the philosophy home. The couple decided to sell their house and use the profit to buy an old, boarded-up nursing home in Virginia. The Klaassens lived in the home, where they cooked, cared for and nurtured their first 25 residents. From that experience, the company's mission was formed: To champion quality of life for all seniors.
Adeline Winner is a resident of Reminiscence Neighborhood. A former Ziegfeld Follies performer, she lives in a beautiful room where her prized possessions and favorite memories surround her. Countless photographs line the walls and remind Winner of the wonderful life she had and the comfortable one she now has.
This is my home, Winner said, beaming.
Sunrise Senior Living has about 350 properties worldwide.
