Memory loss affects every individual—and family—differently. Jane, in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, can no longer live alone, but her family feels that she isn’t as far along as many of the residents at the local memory care community. She can still play simple games with them like Uno, and can still tell her two grandsons apart.
Stan, however, has reached the point where he can no longer remember his daughter when she comes to visit. He is no longer able to walk safely, even with a walker, and needs extra support and care for his safety.
While both individuals can benefit from memory care, their needs and comfort levels are vastly different. Some memory care communities recognize this distinction and offer more than one level of care.
Several of Morning Pointe Senior Living‘s Alzheimer’s Centers of Excellence fall under that category, offering the Lamplight neighborhood for early-stage memory care and The Lantern for more advanced-stage care.
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Lamplight: Supporting Early-Stage Memory Loss with Purpose
Morning Pointe’s signature Lamplight memory care neighborhood is designed for individuals in the early to middle stages of Alzheimer’s or dementia. These residents may still remember some things and be more active and mobile, but they may show some of these symptoms:
- Withdrawing from social activities
- Being confused with time and place
- Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relations.
- Not recognizing where they are going anymore
- Having problems following or joining a conversation
- Experiencing changes in mood and personality, such as becoming suspicious, confused, depressed or fearful and anxious.
In Lamplight, residents live in an expansive environment that allows for plenty of room to move, gather, and engage in enriching, lively activities that stimulate brain function and support mental clarity. Our goal is to help slow the progression of the disease wherever possible, while maximizing each person’s independence.
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The Lantern: Purposeful Care for More Advanced Stages of Alzheimer’s
As the disease progresses, so does our care. The Lantern, Morning Pointe’s more advanced-stage memory care neighborhood, offers a calm, structured, and intimate environment that’s deeply rooted in dementia-specific training, therapeutic programming, and specialized design.
Residents in this stage may experience more frequent confusion, communication difficulties, and changes in mood or personality. That’s why our Lantern neighborhoods offer stage-appropriate cues, routines, and gentle redirection to support their daily living in a safe, meaningful way.
Having both levels of memory care in the same building makes for a smoother transition for residents and families, with less disruption in routines for residents and family support from a team that has come to know and love the resident.
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Available for All Alzheimer’s and Dementia Residents
Whether our memory care residents live in the Lamplight or Lantern neighborhood—or in one of Morning Pointe Senior Living’s combo buildings with a memory care wing—we provide thoughtful, evidence-based programming to provide safety, meaning and compassionate care. These programs include:
- The Best Friends™ Approach, which allows associates to connect and communicate with residents effectively, treating them as a friend would and getting to know all about them. This method empathizes friendship and remaining loving and positive, while offering care and support.
- Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach™ to Care, a nationally recognized method used to approach and connect with a person living with dementia, resulting in a reduced chance of agitation and greater mutual understanding and comfort.
- Meaningful Day™ programming, which builds familiar routines around the resident’s interests and capabilities to help residents feel safe and secure.
- Therapies that reach the soul—music, art, and even cuddle therapy with lifelike dolls.
- Trained staff with ongoing dementia and Alzheimer’s education.
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A Commitment to Families
Alzheimer’s is hard—not just on those who live with it, but also on those who love them. Finding a memory care community that can care for your loved one in more than one stage might be a good move for both of you, providing greater peace of mind about their fitting in.
Morning Pointe Senior Living is expanding several of our campuses in the Southeast to offer more Alzheimer’s Centers of Excellence with our signature Lamplight/Lantern levels of memory care. After all, memory care isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s compassionate, customized, and designed to honor every chapter of your loved one’s life.
* Morning Pointe Senior Living is not offering medical advice. Readers should consult with their physician regarding any medical conditions.
