When one first steps inside Avita a sense of calm washes over him while he takes in the flowers, the calming colors and the water wall that cascades over the name Avita. A comfortable sitting area with a fire crackling is off to the right and everyone in the building offers a friendly smile as they pass. For more than fifty people this is home.
Avita
is a stand-alone memory care facility, the only one in Southern Maine that
caters to people with memory impairments from dementia to Alzheimer’s. They
opened the doors on October 22, 2013. Avita’s parent company is Northbridge
Companies out of Massachusetts.
The
success of Avita comes from “giving good quality care to residents, treating
staff with respect and listening to families,” said executive director Courtney
Freeman. “I’m excited they’re here. Dementia is rising and in the past three
years, three assisted living facilities have shut down in southern Maine. They
deserve a place to go to live a fulfilled life.”
The
70 bed property has three smaller, secure neighborhoods, named spring, summer
and autumn, which provide less stimulation for the residents. There are private
bedrooms with attached bathrooms and some adjoining bedrooms that couples use
as a suite. Details are important at Avita, including each neighborhood having
a different color palate from the rugs to the upholstery on the chairs and the
local art work depicts the season the neighborhood represents.
The
programs and living spaces are built on a social model, Freeman said. One of
the goals is to enhance the resident’s independence as much as possible, she
said. Each staff person from management to nursing to dietary specialists are
trained in memory care and have monthly in-service training.
On
staff there are certified therapeutic recreational specialists. “For every
activity there is a purpose,” said Freeman. From drama club where the residents
are writing a script to a coral group, canvas art classes and more, the
residents are engaged and are encouraged to keep a routine that is familiar to
them. Residents are encouraged to do cooking classes and walk with the
Across-the-Miles group around the grounds at 320 Spring Street.
There
are van outings and trips to the gym one day a week. “We have a big thumbprint
in the community,” Freeman said. Residents take trips to the flower show,
planetarium and healing horses.
Angela
Mastrella is the social program director. “There is no limit to what she will
do for these residents on a daily basis,” Freeman said. One day a resident told
Mastrella that she wanted Dairy Queen, so Mastrella got a group of residents
together and headed off for ice cream.
Two
days a week the van takes residents to doctor’s appointments and on Saturdays
and Sundays the van takes them to church.
“We’re
in their home and we need to respect that,” said Freeman. Staff is encouraged
to interact with the residents and get to know what they like to do and
encourage them.
“This
generation, what they’ve done with their lives and the stories they tell…it’s
amazing,” she said.
Freeman
told the story of a gentleman who was experiencing “sundowning” (a symptom of
dementia) where the man started to get agitated in the evening. The nursing aid
sat and engaged the man in a game of checkers. More people gathered around them
to cheer the man on. He forgot what he was agitated about and no medication was
involved to calm him down.
The
director of resident dining Jamie Bell goes beyond the expectations of every
family, Freeman said. He believes in the philosophy of eat fresh and eat local.
Residents are served breakfast, lunch and dinner. They have choices at every
meal.
Avita
has a house doctor who gives regular presentations for families. There are also
support groups since memory care has an impact on the whole family.
For
more on Avita of Stroudwater visit www.avitaofstroudwater.com or call 857-9007.
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