nurses, caregivers and nutritionists, as
well as speech, occupational and behavioral
therapy.
“We provide activities daily, and
it’s all day long,” said Vaillencourt.
“Anything from art therapy to music
therapy, pet therapy, reality orientation.
And, then, we offer individualized
programs.”
Small group activities can range
from participating in discussions, gardening, cooking and playing
board games to constructing centerpieces for events hosted at the
facility. Calendars and televisions depicting the daily activities are
available to residents, so they know what the possibility of their
day holds.
Vaillencourt said, “We really do focus on the individual activities
that the person enjoys as an adult and try and incorporate that
here in the building.”
Additionally, the memory care center offers its residents daily
housekeeping services and transportation to and from personal appointments.
The center allows for other specialists, such as dentists,
podiatrists and general practitioners, to do “house visits” for
the residents, as well.
“Harmony Village is a unique facility. It’s advanced in its time.
It’s got all modern amenities,” said Vaillencourt. “We’re able to
provide care for a specific disease, such as Alzheimer’s and dementia,
and be able to set up our communities where somebody
can age in a place gracefully and be surrounded by those who are
similar to them.”
Vaillencourt recalled an instance when a resident with mild dementia
was adamant on not living in an assisted living facility
when she first arrived at Harmony Village. This resident’s neighbor
from home, who Vaillencourt said had become a member of
the resident’s extended family, felt as though it was no longer safe
for her to be living at home.
“Not even a week or two into her stay here, the resident started
identifying us as an extension of her family and had felt that she
was getting even better care, was safe, was making friends with
her new neighbors and was more engaged in daily activities and
having a more productive and meaningful day,” Vaillencourt said.
“Today she’s thriving. She’s a social butterfly in our facility.”
Vaillencourt said the residents and staff at Harmony Village
build relationships with each other.
“We’re looking at people whose children are not able to see
them every day, or who are living in a different state and now
moved up here,” she said. “The residents have companionship
every day, whether it’s with a staff member here or with one another
as neighbors.”
According to its website, the facility staff acknowledges that
the residents are not the only ones affected by memory disorders.
Resources and services like support groups are provided to help
the families encourage and understand their loved ones.
Vaillencourt said, “The support that the families have with one
another, I see it. My families are thriving here as much as my residents
are. The acceptance of the disease and thinking that their
loved one has dementia or Alzheimer’s is not scary anymore.”
Harmony Village continues to grow daily, according to Vaillencourt.
It is currently accepting applications.