Thoughts on Age, Cognition and Community in Memory Care

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An age difference in memory care homes staged by cognition brings reflection on health and similarities in care and community

There has been much lost the past nearly two years since COVID became a word that we know all too well. Some of what has been lost can never be regained, some of what has been lost has returned and some is on its way back. For certain, things look different and may always.

I have been noticing, though, a return to the community of caregivers, residents and staff that had been normal at Emerald Crest. Many of the friends and family who visit our residents regularly become a part of the community. They know many staff. They know the other residents in their loved one’s home. They know the other loved ones who visit frequently and at similar times to their own visits. 

Memory Care Homes Staged by Cognition

This community of caregivers is most often prevalent in our Marigold houses. The houses at Emerald Crest are staged by cognition. Residents in a given house generally have similar levels of dementia.  Our Marigold houses are the lowest cognition, the greatest level of dementia. 

The residents in these houses are often less able to interact in the ways they used to. Many speak little or their speech is very hard to understand. They tend to be younger than our residents with less diminished cognition. I looked at the average ages of the Vine (our highest cognitive function) houses and the average ages of our Marigold houses at 3 of the Emerald Crest sites. Our Vine houses average ages were 84, 83.8 and 88.3. At these same locations the Marigold houses average ages were 79.9, 78.6 and 79.8. Our youngest Vine house was almost 4 years older than our oldest Marigold house. In my time at Emerald Crest, I would say this is not an anomaly. Our Marigold houses are younger. 

Early Onset Memory Loss, Health, and Visitors

Early onset Alzheimer’s often progresses more rapidly than late onset. I would also guess that many of our people whose dementia comes on much later in life die of other causes before their dementia progresses to the level of our Marigold people. If your dementia is diagnosed when you are 91 years old you’re probably not living another 12 years regardless of whether or not you have dementia.

There is an injustice to this. It does not seem right that our people with the greatest cognitive impairment would also be our youngest. Of course, there are exceptions but as a whole this is how it is. 

These Marigold houses then are not only different because of cognition but also because of age. Often with being younger there is greater physical ability. Many of our Marigold people are in overall very good physical health. The physical problems they do have are often a direct result of their dementia and not because of an aging body or other health problems. 

For many people, there is fear surrounding visiting with someone with this level of dementia. For some of our families of residents in other houses there is a dread that their loved one might move there. There is often denial if their loved one’s dementia has progressed to this level.

But as much as there is sadness in these homes there is also beauty. Being younger, our Marigold residents are much more likely to have living and healthy spouses whereas so many of our Vine house people are widowed. These spouses of our Marigold people are so often dedicated to daily or near daily visits. On top of this there are their children’s siblings and other loved ones who can be dedicated regular visitors as well.

A Strong Sense of Community in Memory Care Homes

There is a strong community in these homes, particularly within the families. Many come at the same time every day. These families so often visit their loved on in common areas of the houses. They come at mealtimes or midafternoons. Their loved ones are often times not very communicative, so along with their loved one they visit with the other residents and families during their visits, and they visit with the staff. 

Husbands, wives, children, and staff often know each other quite well. They know about each other’s kids and grandkids. They know about the other residents. People who may never know each other and run in very different circles are brought together by the common love and dedication they have for their loved one with dementia.

Comfort, Community and Love, Wherever You Are

I walked into one of our Marigold houses the other day and saw what I thought was an unfamiliar family member helping one of our residents to eat. As I approached, I realized I knew this family member quite well. It was the daughter of one of our residents; she was helping her mother’s tablemate during lunch. That is the kind of comfort and love that comes when there is real community. This daughter knows her mother’s tablemate so well and knows her family so well and knows the staff so well that helping this resident have a bite to eat seemed normal and natural. That is community.

There is shared and unique experience in these homes. There is shared grief in these homes. There is shared love in these homes. There is beautiful community in all of these homes.

Reverend Arlen Solem

Chaplain and Campus Pastor

In gratitude, thank you so much to all of our volunteers and donors who make all of the work we do at Cassia possible. Your contributions are greatly appreciated and needed to ensure we are able to fulfill our mission.

For questions about our spiritual care program, or if you would like spiritual care and support for you or your loved one, contact Chaplain Arlen Solem at 612-263-0503. or Arlen.Solem@cassialife.org.

At Emerald Crest, we offer a deep knowledge of memory care in a specialized assisted living setting for seniors with Alzheimer’s and dementia-related conditions. We encourage you to contact us directly with any questions or request a tour. For tours and general information, please contact Elizabeth Wendel at 952-908-2215.

Emerald Crest by Cassia provides memory care in a unique environment, specifically designed to support those with cognitive issues. Utilizing this exceptional model of care, individuals with dementia, Alzheimer’s and related conditions can flourish in positive relationships and participation in meaningful activities. Memory care is offered in the Minneapolis – Saint Paul area with communities in four convenient locations: Shakopee, Burnsville, Minnetonka and Victoria, MN.