In Allentown, Bethlehem, and Easton there are many families whose loved ones are aging and living with the effects of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Fortunately for those who have cognitive issues and are unable to live home independently or safely with family members, there are personal care homes and senior living facilities that specialize in caring for residents with Alzheimer’s and dementia. These facilities are called memory care communities.
Memory care communities are licensed as personal care homes or assisted-living facilities in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and they also offer an added layer of service, staff training, and care for residence with cognitive needs. This includes a litany of things ranging from interior design specifications in the layout, furnishings, fixtures, and interior architecture of residence rooms and common areas. All staff members from direct care workers to food-service workers are specifically trained in caring for those with dementia. This also includes knowing how to encourage residents to engage in activities, socialize and provide self care. It also includes training to deal with agitated seniors as well as preventing issues among residents. The activities directors, therapists, and office staff such as the executive director and others have ongoing training to respond to family needs and resident needs around the issue of dementia.
In the Lehigh Valley there are multiple senior housing options for individuals with cognitive issues. Most of these options are attached to other senior living communities that offer varying levels of senior care and assistance. Only a few communities in the Lehigh Valley are stand alone memory care communities that specialize in exclusively caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s and dementia. South Mountain Memory Care is the only stand-alone memory care community that is also locally owned by the Wall family of Emmaus. Lehigh Valley residents are proud to have a community of it’s own to care for seniors. The only other stand-alone memory care option is owned by a private equity group.
To tour South Mountain Memory Care call 610-965-7662 or visit southmountainmemorycare.com. South Memory Memory Care is located at 201 s. 7th Street, Emmaus, PA 18049.