Metta Memory
What is memory care?
A senior living option that provides specialized care for people living with cognitive impairments.
Metta Lifestyles follows the
Living the Dementia Journey models:
What is Metta Memory?
By celebrating our residents' lives, their days are filled with engaging activities that bring purpose and joy while helping ease the progression of Alzheimer's or dementia.
Metta Memory neighbourhoods have been purposefully designed to provide a comforting and secure environment for those residents living with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia. Our specially trained staff offer a compassionate, person-centric approach that focuses on the individual's interests, past life experiences, and customized needs.
Our wide range of recreation and therapeutic programs encourage residents to be engaged throughout their day while reducing anxiety and providing purpose. We have combined best practices from the leading dementia care programs to provide a wholesome plan that includes cognitive fitness, exercise classes, pet therapy, music therapy, sensory activities and much more!
We recognize that every resident living in our Metta Memory neighbourhood requires a personalized approach, and we offer an ever-evolving action plan to suit their needs.
Activities in Metta Memory
Through our Metta Memory Program, your loved one will be able to participate in a range of daily activities designed to increase cognitive stimulation, promote a sense of community while also maintaining a comforting and relaxing environment.
Some of these programs include:
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Brain Games
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Physical Fitness
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Pet Therapy
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Doll Therapy
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Music Therapy
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Sensory Activities
Dining in Metta Memory
Metta Memory’s dining program allows residents to feel as independent as possible for as long as possible.
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Dedicated & trained staff to assist during meals
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Nutritional meal plans and customized options
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Weighted cutlery, tailored tableware, ergonomic drinkware to promote independence while eating
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Music and dim lighting that creates an ambiance to increase the dining experience
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Aquariums located near the dining room to help promote eating (view research)
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Coloured tableware for stimulation (view research)
Sensory Murals
A unique part of the Metta Memory program is our 'sensory murals’. These are interactive areas for residents, staff, and families. Each mural has been designed to offer comforting memories with sensory activities that will be familiar, meaningful, and calming to our residents. Each of these sensory murals is designed to evoke familiar memories. This provides a meaningful and calming experience for our residents.
Nursery Sensory Mural: The birth of a child is memorable and often recalled long-term memory. Research has shown that women specifically feel calm while participating in doll therapy programs designed to stimulate memories of child-rearing years. We encourage families to bring baby photos to help create conversations while visiting their loved ones.
Laundry Sensory Mural: Most seniors have strong long-term memories of the roles involved in caring for the home. This area showcases a laundry room where residents can hang and fold various clothing items. Activities also include sorting laundry and lace sewing and memory flashcards with tasks such as mowing the lawn, baking and washing the car.
Office Sensory Mural: This familiar workplace environment is equipped with reminiscing props such as a rotary dial phone, vintage typewriter and payroll machine with routine activities such as shoe polishing, tying ties and posting envelopes.
What are the benefits of Metta Memory?
Aging in Place
With the advanced levels of care we offer, residents do not have to move elsewhere as their cognitive or physical health deteriorates.
Research confirms the stress of moving and adjusting to a new environment can increase the effects of Alzheimer's and dementia. You and your loved one can find comfort in knowing that when they require the extra assistance of memory care, they will be able to receive that at Metta Lifestyles.
Multi‐Sensory Stimulation
Multi‐sensory stimulation (MSS) has become an increasingly popular approach to care and is used globally. At Metta Lifestyles, our programming, activities and sensory murals are designed to promote MSS.
Research has shown that stress is critically involved in the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease. Through our sensory murals, positive approach, and programs, Metta Memory is intended to lower residents' anxiety and create a stress-free environment.
Helping Caregivers
A person with Alzheimer's or dementia requires a lot of attention and help. Being a caregiver can become a significant strain on a person's mental and physical health. That is why choosing Metta Memory will provide you with peace of mind. Residents are in a secure and safe environment receiving around-the-clock care and support.
There has been much research that has studied the stresses and burnout that caregivers experience.
Services
Metta Memory Services
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Dedicated 24-hour specially trained Nursing staff
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Safe and secure specialized environment
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Medication Management
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Daily suite tidy, and weekly full housekeeping
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Weekly personal laundry, as well as linens and towels
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Cueing and supervision of continence needs
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60 minutes of personal support assistance per day
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Individualized and small group programs lead by dedicated Care Companions and Metta Memory Manager
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Breakfast, lunch, and dinner with supervised staff
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24-hour refreshments and snacks
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Emergency nurse-call pendant
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Customized care plan and daily routine based on previous life experiences and interests
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Purposeful environmental enhancements
Other Care Services Provided Through Memory Care
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Feeding Assistance (All Levels)
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Meal Assistance
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Specialized Diets
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Continence Care (All Levels)
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Bathing Assistance (All Levels)
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Medication Management (All Levels)
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Oxygen Management
Signs & Symptoms
When referring to Alzheimer's and dementia, people usually described these diseases in stages, specifying the symptoms' severity. In the early stages of Alzheimer's, the most common symptoms include:
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Memory Loss
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Difficulty learning new things and following conversations
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Difficulty concentrating or a restricted attention span
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Mood shifts
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Occasional coordination problems
In the middle stage of this disease, you will begin to see a noticeable decrease in cognitive and functional abilities. Although your loved one's abilities may be deteriorating, they may still be aware of their condition. Usually, at this stage, a person's care is increased, community programming may be helpful, and families may opt for a memory care program like Metta Memory.
The late stage of Alzheimer's disease is the most significant or advanced stage of the disease. People in this stage are usually unable to communicate or look after themselves. In this stage, it is typical for severe impairment, losing the capacity for recognizable speech, and losing the ability to eat or walk without assistance.
To learn more about Alzheimer's disease and dementia, please visit the Alzheimer's Society of Canada.
More Resources
