While many things have been put on hold in 2020, there are some things that have not — like the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia and the caregiving responsibilities that accompany it. Despite these limitations, the compassionate professionals who serve the Alzheimer’s community have not lost their zeal for helping families. There is still a multitude of ways to get assistance.
- All are available by phone.
- There are virtual and Zoom consultations, meetings, workshops, and support groups.
- Many doctors’ offices and practices specialize in memory care, like the Fleming Memory Center and St. Luke’s Senior Care Associates.
- Memory care communities like SMMC are still accepting new residents. They have established an intake process that protects the new residents and current residents.
- Professionals are being creative and meeting with families outside the building and walking the premises with building photos, videos, and layouts, and even doing Facetime calls to walk prospective residents through the facility in real-time.
There are virtual support groups and other online sources where people in your or similar circumstances can share advice, experiences, and other concerns in a safe, compassionate manner. Here are some such resources:
- alz.org/covid19 (covid caregiver tips)
- alz.org/crf (“live” virtual ed programs and support groups by zip code)
- alz.org/education (pre-
recorded education topics) - alzconnected.org (24/7 online support community)
- alzheimersnavigator.org (
customized care planning) - alz.org/trialmatch (research studies and clinical trials)
Just because COVID restrictions may prevent face-to-face contact doesn’t mean you can’t have heart-to-heart contact.
South Mountain Memory Care focuses on high-quality, personalized care. The brand new building is a stand-alone memory care community, meaning that the entire building, staff, and programs are designed to serve residents with cognitive issues. To ensure person-centered care and attention, we have accommodations for up to 28 residents. The building is divided into two neighborhoods (wings), each offering 10 private suites and 2 semi-private suites. South Mountain Memory Care is located in the Allentown suburb of Emmaus, Pennsylvania, and it is easily accessible from the Lehigh Valley, New Jersey, and Philadelphia. For more information, go to southmountainmemorycare.com/.