November is Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. When a loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, it’s common to have lots of questions about the condition and next steps. Parc Provence understands that Alzheimer’s affects every individual and family differently and strives to provide personalized care plans that ensure a safe and supportive environment.

“Medically, Alzheimer’s is a progressive neurological disorder that primarily affects memory, thinking and behavior,” says Kathy Kelley, administrator for Parc Provence. “As it advances, individuals may experience confusion, disorientation and difficulty with daily activities, often requiring around-the-clock assistance and specialized care.”

When considering a memory care community, Kelley suggests that family members begin by looking at their loved one’s specific needs, such as how much supervision is required, the type of assistance needed, and if there are behavioral issues that need to be monitored.

Kelley adds that important questions to ask a memory care community representative include what its options are for socializing, what qualifications and training the staff have, and if there is access to onsite geriatric physicians, therapists, social workers, nurses and other specialists.

“Once you know the answer to these questions, you can consider the various communities designed to provide the kind of care and support needed,” Kelley says.

As part of the award-winning Gatesworth Communities, Parc Provence opened in 2004 and has revolutionized memory care treatment. Its commitment to excellence, its dedication to providing personalized care, and its unwavering belief in the power of community have placed it on U.S. News & World Report’s list of 2023-2024 Best Memory Care communities.

“Parc Provence offers residential care that helps people live their best lives possible in the event of this difficult diagnosis,” Kelley says. “Our skilled nursing community offers memory care, medical expertise, education, support, and compassionate care at all stages of Alzheimer’s disease. We promise to give the best of ourselves to the remarkable people we serve.”

One of the things that sets Parc Provence apart is its introduction of the dementia village concept to the region.

“A dementia village, also known as an Alzheimer’s village or memory care village, is a unique and innovative approach to providing specialized care and support for individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia,” Kelley says. “Parc Provence was designed by memory care expert Dr. Ben Schwartz to create a safe and supportive environment that closely resembles a real community.”

There are five households within the Parc Provence community to ensure residents with similar care needs are placed together and can participate in events and activities that are tailored to the help they need. Alongside more than 60 daily activities, residents can enjoy the community’s gardens, library, art gallery and more. “Our village concept allows them to live with a sense of normalcy and dignity while receiving the vital care they need,” Kelley says.

Parc Provence provides an individualized approach to care, offering plans that are tailored to fit each person and take their stage of dementia, personal interests and experience, abilities and desires into consideration. Knowing that Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are experienced in stages or phases, Parc Provence’s plans of care can also be adjusted to fit new situations and abilities.

“This continuum of care supports those individuals who are able to maintain some independence and, if and when Alzheimer’s or dementia advances, we can continue to care for them as more support is required,” Kelley says. “We think this approach allows for quality of life, safety, and comfort in ways that a one-size-fits-all plan simply cannot.”

Parc Provence understands that there will be a lot of questions about what is best for your loved one following a diagnosis. Click here for more information and resources for families looking to know more about Alzheimer’s and memory care.

Text based on an interview by Maggie Peters in Ladue News