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10 | March 21, 2019 | 22nd century media active aging
22ndCenturyMedia.com
Sheridan at Green
Oaks reimagines
memory care
Everything about The Sheridan at
Green Oaks defies preconceived notions
of senior living. From the moment you
enter the community you are greeted by
an impressive, sophisticated atmosphere,
engaged and friendly staff, and the welcome
sound of activity and laughter resonating
just around the corner. It’s not the
typical image conjured by the mention of
a senior living community, and that’s perfectly
fine with the proud staff and residents
that call this community home.
“We like that visitors are pleasantly
surprised by our vibrant atmosphere, and
enjoy showing it is just the beginning of
how we redefine memory care,” said Barbara
Caspersen, Memory Care Director,
referring to the innovative lifestyles, diverse
social opportunities, and two specialized
memory care programs available
to residents of the community.
Since opening its doors, The Sheridan
at Green Oaks has offered embrace
Memory Care, a program created to help
residents living with advanced dementia
find more joy and connection each day.
Using research-based approaches, caregivers
help residents discover meaning
in the little moments and build upon each
one to create a more fulfilling lifestyle.
The award-winning program has received
acclaim for its inspiring garden-to-table
programs, book clubs, and brain health
classes, all tailored to each resident’s
likes, needs, and abilities. However, it’s
often the structured friend and family support
that shines for visitors and staff alike.
“We provide tools and guidance that
can gift special moments of connection
to families who have been struggling,”
Caspersen said. “The love is always there,
we just create new ways of expressing it.”
Caspersen is uniquely qualified to provide
that guidance to families. She holds a
Master’s in Gerontology and has built her
career helping residents and their families
navigate traumatic brain injuries and
dementia. This knowledge and expertise
enables residents and their families find
the right answers to life-altering questions
blurred by the disruptive and uneven progression
of dementia.
Knowing how dementia progresses and
the decisions faced by families at every
stage of the disease helped create the second
memory care program available at
The Sheridan at Green Oaks.
“We implemented enrich Memory Care
as a stepping-stone from assisted living to
memory care,” Caspersen said, “Creating
another option for our Lake Bluff community.”
The enrich Memory Care program is
for people living with early-stage dementia
who need gentle reminders and a little
extra attention each day, and thrive when
engaged in stimulating activities and social
situations.
That’s why the enrich programming
schedule reads more like a local events
calendar with trips to the beach, driving
range, botanical gardens, fall apple picking
and much more.
“We are pleased to provide fun and engaging
outings such as taking in a play at
the Marriot Playhouse, enjoying an afternoon
movie matinee, or having a long
lunch at The Silo,” Caspersen said. “We
love that their dementia doesn’t define
them, or their days. Life for our residents
is still bright and full of possibilities at
The Sheridan at Green Oaks.”
Submitted by Sheridan at Green Oaks, 2930
Waukegan Road, Lake Bluff, (224) 545-1653.