The Terraces at Los Altos Names Andrea Margulies Program Manager of Memory Support Residences

Contact: Dani Row
GlynnDevins, Public Relations

LOS ALTOS, Calif. – The Terraces at Los Altos recently named Andrea Margulies program manager for the senior living community’s memory support residences, The Grove. Margulies brings a unique perspective through her experience working with older adults with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia by using expressive art therapy. With the help of Margulies’ direction, The Terraces at Los Altos offers music, art and pet therapy, and has partnered with a number of local organizations to offer progressive programs for residents with memory loss.

“In my experience, individuals respond to all different types of therapies, so it’s important to provide a variety to meet the needs of each resident,” said Margulies, who holds a master’s degree in expressive therapies. “The Terraces at Los Altos already has a number of unique programs and services in place for skilled nursing and memory support, and I’m looking forward to improving upon them to best fit the needs of our residents.”

Prior to joining The Terraces, Margulies served as the administrator-in-training at a nursing home. She also previously worked as director of kaleidoscope, an enrichment program using expressive art therapies, where she incorporated music, dance, visual arts and poetry to offer therapy tailored to the needs of each individual.

The Terraces at Los Altos is centered around The Best Friends™ Approach, an innovative program that focuses on building relationships with residents based on individual life stories and experiences, and provides a therapeutic environment, creative activities, and well-trained professionals who help residents feel safe, secure and valued. Music, art and pet therapy have been found to enhance the relationships between caregivers and residents, as well as the overall happiness of each resident.

“We continue to be leaders in the field of senior living, not only in Los Altos, but throughout California, and strive to provide the most forward-thinking programs, services and amenities for our residents and their families,” said Rae Holt, executive director at The Terraces at Los Altos.

The Terraces at Los Altos was also recently awarded the Architectural Design & Enhancement award by the Los Altos Chamber of Commerce, for its unique exterior, that use similar designs as homes in the Los Altos area. The interior of the new residences are the first of their kind in California, to offer “neighborhood-style” suites that surround common spaces, including a kitchen, and open living and dining room. This design will increase social interaction for residents in skilled nursing and memory support residences. Construction was completed in April 2014, and includes 30 skilled nursing suites and 16 private memory suites.

Learn more about The Terraces at Los Altos: TheTerracesAtLosAltos.com.

Pilgrim Place Health Services Center Continues to Refine Person-Centered Care

(Press release courtesy of Tim Sunderland)

Claremont, Calif. – Three staff members from Pilgrim Place are now certified as Master Trainers in the Best Friends^TM approach for caring for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients.

Sue Fairley, Sharon Berry and Andrea Smith recently completed a course of study with the Best Friends Institute in Baltimore, MD.

The Best Friends™ Approach is a person-centered, compassionate care philosophy grounded in the understanding that relationships are supremely important to dementia care and that they require the essential elements of friendship: respect, empathy, support, trust, and humor. With Best Friends™, the focus is on the individual — the person’s rights, history, and relationships with all care partners.

Read about the core components of the Best Friends™ philosophy and learn more about Pilgrim Place in the original press release.

 

Elder Care Alliance Implements “I’m Still Here” Approach in All Its Communities

Application of Engagement-Centered Memory Care Philosophy a First in California

ALAMEDA, Calif.– A pioneering engagement-focused memory care philosophy for people living with dementia is transforming and enriching lives in several California senior living communities, as Elder Care Alliance (ECA) recently announced its partnership with the Hearthstone Institute to implement the I’m Still Here™ (ISH) approach in all its communities: San Francisco, Oakland, San Rafael, and Camarillo – the first (and only at this time) communities to have it available on the West Coast.

More than five million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease, with many living with it for more than a decade. The shared stance of these organizations is that every person living with dementia still has a great capacity to learn and experience a high quality of life regardless of the severity of their memory loss.

To learn more, read the complete press release.

 

Piedmont Gardens Names Charlene Wolf Program Manager for The Grove

OAKLAND, Calif. – Piedmont Gardens recently named Charlene Wolf program manager for the senior living community’s memory support residences, The Grove. Wolf brings more than 30 years of experience working with older adults, and has had a lifelong passion for serving those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Her personal background and experience will build upon the success of a variety of memory support programs offered to residents at The Grove.

“Charlene is an asset to the team and a true example of someone who understands our philosophy at The Grove,” said Kevin Smith, executive director at Piedmont Gardens.  “While she’s leading the team, there are a number of unique programs and services she’ll help oversee, including The Best Friends Approach.”

The Best Friends™  Approach focuses on building relationships with residents based on individual life stories and experiences, and provides a therapeutic environment, creative activities, and well-trained professionals who help residents feel safe, secure and valued. All team members working at The Grove will be a ‘best friend’ with residents.

They’re responsible for learning about the residents’ lives from their families, and interacting with them to increase positivity, prevent isolation and continue socialization. The Grove also offers a variety of programs and activities that benefit residents living with memory loss, including art and music therapy, improvisation classes and drum circles.

“Caregivers at The Grove are trained to encourage and facilitate a number of physical, spiritual, intellectual and social activities, based on the needs and capabilities of each resident,” said Smith. “Our culture at Piedmont Gardens is focused on personalized care, and we’re proud to be able to offer these kinds of programs and services for older adults and their families in the Oakland area.”