What happens when compassion meets commitment? embrace.
A memory care philosophy combining the most recent research in the field of memory care with real world best practices, the embrace memory care program recently garnered an Argentum Best of the Best award for its Essence sensory stimulation program, a vital component of embrace programming. For residents, families and team members at The Amethyst, embrace is now the guiding philosophy for the daily events in memory care, providing a framework for building connections with residents in varying stages of Alzheimer’s and dementia. A Grand Opening event was held on June 1st to celebrate embrace at The Amethyst and to share the philosophy with the local community.
For residents of the memory care unit and their families, the embrace Grand Opening celebration was a much-anticipated event. Many even said that it “gave them goosebumps!” to share the activities that give purpose and pleasure to memory care residents. Sharing The Amethyst’s vision of award-winning care was exciting for Associate Executive Director Shari Lefevre and her team. It was a culmination of their hard work and dedication to their residents and families.
Over 50 guests visited The Amethyst to learn about embrace and participate in activities designed to show how the philosophy guides daily interactions. Essence, an award-winning component of embrace, was a big hit with guests, who had the opportunity to receive hand massages and experience the positive effects of aromatherapy for themselves. Another highlight was Andrew Eaker’s Drum Circles for Seniors program, an energetic and wildly popular activity that brings people together through the magic of music.
Of the many activities offered at The Amethyst’s celebration, perhaps the most popular was a simple craft activity that involved making birthday cards. Guests joined residents and The Amethyst team to create birthday cards with a unique purpose: to bring a smile to the face of a very special young man in Arizona. Jacob Priestley is battling mitochondrial disease, a debilitating illness, and he says that the cards brighten his days and give him hope. “They make me feel better and they just make me happy.” Jacob started receiving birthday cards after his mother Britney posted a request on Facebook and the request went viral. His birthday is in August and he hopes to receive even more cards this year! Guests added twenty cards to those previously made by residents and team members, and The Amethyst hopes to increase that number over the summer before sending the handmade cards to Jacob for his August birthday.
Interested in learning more about embrace at The Amethyst? Call to request a visit, or better yet, join The Amethyst for The Longest Day, a celebration to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association. The event will feature a vendor fair, a bounce house, dunk tank, and the local police department, as well as a chance to create a special birthday card for Jacob Priestley! The event will be held from 8am until 1pm on June 21st, with food, fun and family friendly activities!