Avalon Memory Care

A few months ago, we wrote an overview of memory care communities and the questions to ask when you’re touring a community on behalf of a loved one with dementia. Today, we’d like to answer those questions to give you a picture of what life is like at our community. Without further ado, here are Avalon’s answers to your Memory Care FAQs. Safety and Staffing How is Avalon secured so that residents are safe? All the entries and exits of our memory care community are secured by magnetic locks. These locks are password protected and connected to the fire sprinkler system, In the event of a fire, the doors will automatically unlock, allowing for safe and easy exit. We also have a secured outdoor space that allows residents to enjoy sunshine and fresh air while avoiding the risk of wandering. What type of training does Avalon staff receive? Each member of our staff receives a minimum of 16 hours of training upon hiring, as well as an additional 6 hours of training per year. Junior members of our staff shadow more experienced staff members until they have demonstrated their ability to provide for all care needs and care levels. What is your staffing ratio during the day? (number of residents per caregiver) On average, there is one staff member for every five residents during the day. This can fluctuate depending on the care needs of the individuals. We’re very proud that our staff members are dedicated to one single property in order to better form relationships and understand the needs of their residents. We also have floating staff members who are available to add coverage and fill in as needed. What is the staffing ratio [...]

If you or a loved one are a veteran in their senior years, you may be feeling overwhelmed at the cost of care as well as navigating your benefits. You may already be drawing a pension, but it's more than likely that the money you’re receiving isn’t enough to pay for long-term care like assisted living or memory care. The Veterans Aid and Attendance benefit is a pension that can help veterans on a limited income offset the costs of home health care, adult day care or assisted living or memory care communities. Approximately 25 percent of seniors today are eligible for this specific benefit, but only a small percentage of people are using it. As with many government-related benefits, there can be a lot of confusion and misconceptions surrounding it. We’ve broken down some of the most frequently asked questions (and answers) to help clarify and bring understanding to this helpful benefit. What Is the Aid & Attendance Benefit? The Aid & Attendance benefit, also known as “VA assisted living benefit,” “improved pension” or “veterans elder care benefits,” is a monetary benefit available to eligible veterans and surviving spouses. It can be used to pay for home health care assistance, the cost of living in an assisted living community or other services that the individual needs for their everyday functioning. Who qualifies for the Aid & Attendance Benefit? In order to qualify for the Aid & Attendance benefit, seniors must meet two requirements: a military-related requirement and a health-related requirement. First, the individual must be a veteran or the surviving spouse of a deceased eligible veteran. The person or their spouse must have served on active duty for at least 90 days, and at [...]

After you’ve moved your loved one into Avalon, one of the best things you can do for them is to visit them on a regular basis. No matter what stage of the memory loss journey your loved one is in, being near people who love them and engaging in fun activities will help you connect and nurture your relationship. That’s why we at Avalon Memory Care encourage the families of our residents to become a part of our community, too! Still, we understand that it can sometimes be awkward or challenging to visit your loved one, especially if they’ve recently moved to memory care. Here are some of our top tips for helping make your visit successful and enjoyable for both of you. Bring objects that you know your loved one will recognize and love. This could be a favorite book, souvenir, a photo of a much-loved grandchild (or the grandchild themselves)...whatever you know will bring your loved one comfort and joy. Be present in their reality. If Mom tells a completely made-up story about her life or if Dad believes he’s on a train that’s headed out West, don’t argue with them or attempt to use logic (it won’t work). Instead, join them on that trip or ask Mom to tell you more about the time Aunt Sue did that one thing. Plan some meaningful activities to participate in. Avalon Memory Care is specifically designed for the needs of memory care residents, and we often have some form of activity or programming going on. Look at the events calendar and see what might interest you both. Otherwise, bring a scrapbook to look through, watch a favorite movie together or play some songs from their [...]

When it comes time to find a memory care community for your loved one, you want to make sure they are safe and secure and able to live each day to the fullest.  However, worries over how you can afford it can often be your number one concern.  Avalon can help. With our individual approach to finances, we look at your whole financial picture to find the best way to finance your loved one’s care.  We understand that no two financial situations are exactly the same and work with families to come up with creative solutions. Our community is one in which each resident is seen as an individual. We get to know each person and what they need in order to make the most out of each day. We have a lot to offer you and your loved one. Call (214) 752-7050 to learn more about Avalon’s individual approach to both care and finances.

In past years, families in need of Alzheimer’s care for their loved ones had few choices other than an institutional home. Avalon Memory Care knows seniors deserve better. Our model of respectful, dignified continuous care is reflected in the design of our residential homes. Take a virtual tour of your loved one’s new home by watching this featured video. Notice the beautiful stone exterior of our homes, as well as the elegant furniture and decorative greenery inside. The common areas of the home feature well-cushioned armchairs, wall-mounted TVs, and a beautiful décor that individuals with Alzheimer’s find soothing. You will not find any institutional cafeterias here. Our residents enjoy homemade meals with the company of their friends in our cozy dining room. After you take a virtual tour of our memory care locations in Dallas, Arlington and Houston, call us at (214) 752-7050 to request an in-person tour of our peaceful grounds and comfortable homes. Avalon Memory Care is committed to nothing less than the complete satisfaction, safety and well-being of each of our residents.

For people in need of Alzheimer’s care, wandering is a major safety concern. Wandering is occurs in six in 10 people with Alzheimer’s, even in early stages of the disease, but it can become more dangerous as the disease progresses. Part of our Alzheimer’s care services at Avalon Memory Care is dedicated to preventing wandering so that families can feel confident that their loved ones are safe in our homes. At Avalon Memory Care, we provide 24-hour security and have staff on hand around the clock. Our customized security systems are designed to ensure that residents remain safely in our homes without feeling restricted. We also have secured outdoor spaces so our residents can enjoy time outside safely. We work carefully to reduce the triggers for wandering as well by making sure that our residents feel safe, engaged, and are having all of their personal needs met. Avalon Memory Care is dedicated to providing compassionate, continuous care for those living with Alzheimer’s disease and to working closely with families, so they can feel confident their loved ones are in good hands. Contact us today at (214) 752-7050 to find out more about our Alzheimer’s care in Dallas, Houston and Arlington.

Families affected by Alzheimer’s disease prefer that their loved ones live in a home-like setting, while being cared for by genuinely compassionate professionals. The search for a superior approach to Alzheimer’s care often leads them to Avalon Memory Care in Austin/Cedar Park. This location features beautiful, peaceful landscaping and cozy homes for our close-knit community. Our dedicated husband and wife team of Ray and Charlotte Atkinson look after our residents. Ray and Charlotte have extensive experience with the challenges of dementia care, and Charlotte is a licensed registered nurse. Residents can choose a private suite or a semi-private, companion suite. Gathering in the common areas, strolling along the grounds, and sharing a nutritious, gourmet meal with the other residents provides invaluable social opportunities. Each of our residents can choose from a full schedule of meaningful activities that enhance quality of life. The families we serve choose Avalon Memory Care because of our commitment to maintaining the dignity and high standard of living of each of our residents. Call (214) 752-7050 to request information about our nursing care for individuals with dementia in Dallas or Austin/Cedar Park.

When you visit a loved one at Avalon Memory Care, there are many ways to make the time you spend together enjoyable for both of you. The key is to keep in mind that simply because someone is in memory care and living with dementia does not mean that he or she cannot enjoy and feel connected through shared activities. Avalon Memory Care encourages the families of our residents to become active parts of our community and familiar faces to our staff and residents alike. When you come to visit your loved one in memory care, consider bringing along things that you can share together, such as old photographs or music that your loved one enjoyed. If you know that your loved one feels better in the morning than in the evening, plan your visits for then. Consider joining us for a meal so you can share that time with our entire community. To find out more about Avalon Memory Care in Dallas, Arlington or Houston and how our continuous care and mental health care for dementia sufferers can make a difference in the life of your loved one, call us at (214) 752-7050.