Moorings Park® announced a 16 suite Memory Care Center within its renowned Orchid Terrace assisted living center is now open at the Moorings Park campus at 111 Moorings Park Drive just south of Pine Ridge Road off Goodlette-Frank Road in North Naples. The Memory Care Center has been purposely designed to provide a life-affirming and comfortable home that addresses the needs of those with memory loss or who are in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease or some other form of dementia. Residents of the Memory Care Center receive Moorings Park’s award winning continuum of care that includes social, intellectual, spiritual, and recreational activities and events using the Best Friends approach that emphasizes relationships, communication and activities to help the person with dementia feel safe, secure and valued. In keeping with its tradition of excellence and commitment to pioneering the newest, most advanced methods of care available, Moorings Park is the first retirement community in Florida to bring the internationally recognized Best Friends approach to its memory support programs campus wide.
Moorings Park is a nationally accredited, nonprofit, Medicare certified community and the only A+ S&P and Fitch rated Continuing Care Retirement Communities in the country. Moorings Park has been repeatedly acknowledged as Southwest Florida's premier retirement community for more than 30 years and is the only Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) located in the City of Naples. Moorings Park's holistic approach to living well and continuum of care are provided at a predictable and affordable cost with no increase in monthly fees if a change in the level of care is required. Life Care residents at Moorings Park are eligible to receive memory care assistance at Orchid Terrace as part of their monthly fees while individuals from the greater-Naples area can receive services on a month-to-month private pay basis with no entrance fees.
Moorings Park’s continuum of care is provided by the greatest concentration of geriatrics clinical expertise in Southwest Florida that includes fellowship-trained Geriatricians overseen by Moorings Park's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Michael Gloth, a Fellow in the American College of Physicians and the American Geriatrics Society and Fellowship trained at Johns Hopkins University. Assisting Dr. Gloth in his efforts is Adrian E. Torres, MD, CMD. Dr. Torres is Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatrics, Hospice, and Palliative Care and is also a Certified Medical Director. The team also includes Sara Walther, ARNP, a Certified Gerontological Nurse Practitioner with extensive experience in Geriatrics.
The Memory Care Center suites at Orchid Terrace present a personalized, home-like setting using a variety of designs and décor to stimulate conversation and connections, including the innovative use of Life Storyboards and personalized photo galleries presented on iPads. Outdoor gardens, patios, and lanais foster a sense of independence in a secured setting.
Sacramento-based David Troxel serves as Moorings Park’s dementia support consultant. Troxel is a national leader in the field of memory support and has co-authored five books in the field, most notably The Best Friends Approach to Alzheimer’s Care. Moorings Park is the first organization in Florida to formally license Best Friends and members of the Moorings Park team have been trained as Best Friends master trainers. The Best Friends approach believes that what a person with dementia needs is a “Best Friend” who is empathetic, supportive, loving, works at communication, and is engaged in creative activities in a way that fosters a relationship of friends “doing things” together. Troxel regularly visits the Moorings Park campus, is in regular communication with the Moorings Park team, and is available to staff and family members for consultation any time.
Integrating the Best Friends approach in its continuum of memory support is the most recent example of Moorings Park’s commitment to staying abreast of the latest research and findings in the fields of gerontology and memory support and putting those findings into practice. The Memory Care Center engages residents in meaningful activity programs designed to stimulate cognitive function while addressing individual needs. These family centered programs have been designed to enhance interaction and participation. Individualized care plans incorporate the resident’s life story in a way that allow each resident to feel “known.” Loved ones and personal care givers benefit from knowing the resident is being treated with respect, dignity, understanding, and individual recognition.
“Programs that offer on-going opportunities for socialization are an essential component in stimulating cognitive function and providing memory support,” said Dr. Gloth. “By design, the Best Friends approach in place at the Memory Care Center encourages social interaction in a variety of programs. Moorings Park’s integrated continuum of care is another valuable benefit for residents of the Memory Care Center. Our team of fellowship-trained Geriatricians works directly with the staff at the Memory Care Center, as well as Moorings Park’s nutritionists, physical and occupational therapists, and fitness specialists to ensure each resident’s individual needs are met. That level of integrated, coordinated support is unique and we feel it is vitally important to providing the best possible care not only to the residents of the Memory Care Center, but also to residents throughout the Moorings Park community.”
In keeping with research that indicates regular exercise can actually slow the atrophy or shrinking of the brain in persons with Alzheimer’s while building strength, fighting depression and providing an opportunity for fun, residents of the Memory Care Center exercise twice a day. They also do regular “brain aerobics” to stimulate the brain. A full calendar of social, recreational, and spiritual activities includes music therapy and chaplaincy service.
A dining allowance affords residents of the Memory Care Center flexible meal choices. Nutritional guidance is provided to those with special dietary needs. A companion to escort residents to meals and activities is provided, including destination-oriented locations. Every aspect of daily living has been considered and is addressed. Utilities, including electricity, water, telephone, and basic cable service; daily bed making and trash removal; assistance with personal care; weekly housekeeping and flat laundry service; building and appliance service and maintenance; on-campus tram service and regularly scheduled local transportation; and the delivery of newspapers, monthly menus and activity calendars are all be provided.
