“I try to make my residents’ dreams come true…” Those were the words of 2016 HERO Award Winner, Lindsey Hernandez, when she accepted her award earlier this year. On Tuesday of this week, she added another completed resident dream to her list when she fulfilled resident Josie’s wish to see
Guest author: Clair Jameson, Director Of Life Engagement As human beings, we are defined by the roles that we hold: father, mother, son, daughter and friend, not to mention the professional and societal roles we hold during a lifetime. Over the course of our lives, those roles change, transform and
1. Savor the moment Someone can tell if you are in a rush. This is especially true for people with dementia, who pick up on body language and other nonverbal cues. So stop and savor the moment. Take time to engage in conversation. When you ask a question, give your
There’s a quote by the great philosopher and psychologist, William James, we use so often on our team that it’s kind of become our team motto – “Act as if what you do makes a difference, it does.” Lindsey Hernandez has taken this motto to heart and applies it in
This is an actual letter that was written to one of our residents (Ruby), from her loving daughter (Janet). Sometimes the most heartwarming stories don’t need any revisions – they are sparked by an inherent need to convey, what can oftentimes be very hard to express. Here, Janet shows her
Often, when we think of Mother’s Day, we focus on the more “traditional” roles. Although, sometimes, there is an undeniable bond that transcends the archetypal parent/child relationship. Here at Autumn Leaves of Glen Ellyn, we’re lucky enough to see one of these special bonds quite often. Betty has been with
“Family…where life begins and love never ends.” This is the mantra on the wall in Loretta’s room, at Autumn Leaves of Northwest Austin. When you think of mothers, you can’t help but think of our special resident. She always has a smile, and a quick, smart, response to any comment.
Ms. Ann is the daughter of one of our very own residents, Rose. When asked to discuss a heartwarming story about her mother, she couldn’t…well; maybe we should say she couldn’t narrow it down to just one! Ann tells us that her mom, who will be 105 years old in June,
Jan stands at the front door of Autumn Leaves of Gurnee. Around her, she can smell the sweet aroma of fresh flowers as she lingers for a moment – welcoming the warmth of the approaching summer. It’s Thursday…a special day for Jan and her mother Carol, who is a resident
It’s not every day one of our residents gets a special visit from the Mayor and a day named after her, but then again, there aren’t many people like Fran Philpott! Below is Fran’s impressive biography, a testament to her leadership and years hard work. From serving on the Pearland
We are privileged to care for so many wonderful folks with long and storied lives, and every so often we have the distinct honor of ringing in a resident’s 100th year! Such was the case this week when Autumn Leaves of Sugarloaf resident, Horace, turned 100 years old! Horace is a
At Autumn Leaves of Crystal Lake, we have been very blessed and extremely privileged to know Erhard and Ingrid, an amazing couple who have stolen our hearts with their incredible story. Erhard met Ingrid at a local church in Germany, and for Erhard, it was love at first sight. Without
The Music Discovery process actually begins long before Music Is Our Weapon™ (MIOW) walks through the doors of Autumn Leaves, in the form of a questionnaire for the family members of the resident. What kind of music did your husband like? What song did Mom dance to at her wedding?
We all know that getting a good night’s sleep is essential for our health, but for many living with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, changes in sleep behavior are part of the new normal. Frequent daytime napping and restlessness in the evening are all results of the sleep/wake cycle getting out
From a happy song that evokes a smile to a familiar tune that awakens something deep from within, we’ve all experienced the power of music at Autumn Leaves. It’s hard to contain your happiness when you witness a resident go from a state of agitation or non-responsiveness to one of
Exercise physically alters the brain in ways that help maintain cognition, reduce depression and stress, and aid with sleep problems common in those with dementia. It was with this in mind that Autumn Leaves created the So Much More™… To Do program offering our residents a safe way to get
One of the best parts about visiting Autumn Leaves of Denton is catching up with their vibrant community of residents. Denton’s passion for arts, music, and creativity is perfectly reflected in the folks who call Autumn Leaves of Denton home, and no better example of this joie de vivre can
For those affected by memory loss, telling stories may not be an option. As an alternative, gather the family together to create a family memory book. Assemble some old photos of key moments in your family’s history, along with colorful scrapbook paper, stickers, and other supplies. Family members can talk
We’re celebrating the invaluable contributions and importance of our Life Engagement Team this week for National Activity Professionals Week, but perhaps we should take a moment to explain exactly what a Life Engagement Manager does, and why they are so vital to our residents’ well-being. If you’ve ever visited Autumn Leaves, you’ve likely
With Valentine’s Day just 4 weeks away, we’re celebrating stories of LOVE at Autumn Leaves! Our first story comes from Autumn Leaves of Stockbridge, home of Nat and Jean Williams. Originally from Springfield, VA, they’ve been married for over 50 wonderful years and are just as in love today as they were
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