Alzheimer’s is difficult to understand, even harder to accept: It creates challenges for the individual suffering from the disease, and often burdens those that love them who face the challenge of caring for them.  The most difficult thing I read was the amount of assistance a player could receive if they were institutionalized.  I applaud the financial assistance available to the player and their family, but had great difficulty seeing former New England Patriot, Ted Johnson, or any other player spending the rest of their days in an institution. I am writing this letter to tell you there is a wonderful alternative that will enhance the quality of life of such players and allow them to still enjoy life.

Five years ago, Nicholas Ferreri, owner of Tanglewood Manor Inc., had a vision. His father was afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease but unfortunately at the time there was not a facility that specialized in caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s and dementia. When Nicholas’s father passed away he wanted to build a facility that was capable of caring for individuals with varying dementia diagnoses. Thus Memory Garden came to fruition and has been successfully operating since 2002. 

Memory Garden is an assisted living facility, assisting residents with the activities of daily living while still encouraging the individual to remain as independent as possible.  We understand that it is frustrating for our residents to not be able to do things they could once do with ease.  When providing assistance we do so as subtly as we can so as to keep the resident’s dignity and integrity intact. 

We offer a unique and safe environment for our residents to live in.  Memory Garden is a neighborhood of five households.  Each household has its own kitchen where residents are able to assist with meals and clean up if they  choose.  The members of a household have their meals together giving them an opportunity to socialize with one another.

The most incredible aspect of Memory Garden is its appearance.  Often when we think of adult care facilities and nursing homes, we think of stark white walls and a “hospital-like” motif.  Memory Garden is just the opposite.  We take great pride in the home-like atmosphere that we are able to provide for our residents.  We offer the comfort of home rather than the sterility of an institution.

When designing Memory Garden we also considered individuals with physical as well as memory impairments.  Physical impairments can be quite limiting as we age.  Many elderly suffer from vision difficulties.  This was taken into consideration when choosing carpet patterns as well as furniture and other decorations.

Activity based programming is critical to the success of keeping memory impaired individuals at this level of care, and out of a skilled nursing facility.  We offer over 100 scheduled hours of activities each week.  Residents are encouraged to participate as often as possible.  Our activity coordinators personally invite, and encourage residents to join.  For those who do not wish to participate in a group setting, time and effort is expended to assure that we accommodate them with whatever they need to keep them busy doing something they enjoy.

We also offer a wellness program headed up by our very own in-house physical therapist.  She works with our residents both individually and in group settings.  Residents have the opportunity to do exercises in our exercise room with other residents or work one-on-one with our Director of Wellness.  It is important to keep our residents active and we strive to do that as much as possible. 

At Memory Garden, staff are specially trained to co-exist with individuals having memory impairment.  Everyone recognizes that Memory Garden is the home of the individuals who reside here.  Those who are employed have been welcomed as visitors into their home.  Positive relationships develop between staff and residents as a result of this understanding.  It is evident that the group together is harmonious.  The compassion that flows through the workplace is contagious. 

Tanglewood Manor Inc. is located in western New York, about an hour and a half south of Buffalo.  We have a very unique campus.  In the past two years we have developed a park behind our facility spanning three acres.  We have three fishing ponds and our activities staff make sure our residents get outside as much as possible.  While it is still beneficial, residents are accompanied on outings to different places of interest for further stimulation.  On a rainy afternoon or in the evening time our residents can enjoy appropriate videos, and television programs on our big screen, theater environment, complete with freshly made popcorn. 

Dementia is not a death sentence, and it does not have to strip an individual of their independence, and dignity.  Life after memory impairment can be, and many times is a very special experience for both the individual with memory impairment, and those of us who are able to enjoy their wit, their individualism, and their companionship.

I wanted to take this opportunity to share with you what we offer.  I would like to encourage you to come for a tour and see our community for yourself.  It is truly like nothing you have ever seen or experienced.   

NFLPA WALKS FOR ALZHEIMER’S BENEFIT

This year’s Memory Walk raised $87,489 the day of the event, with all proceeds benefiting programs and services for individuals with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, as well as their families and caregivers. Since 1989, the Memory Walk has raised more than $225 million for the Alzheimer’s Association, which is dedicated to finding preventions, treatments and, eventually, a cure for Alzheimer's disease. For more information, visit www.alz.org.

Caption: (From L to R) Former NFL players Rodney Watson, Dan Upperco, James Chambers, and Mark Slawson represented the New York/New Jersey Chapter of the NFL Retired Players Association at the 19th Annual Memory Walk in New York City’s Riverside Park. Christian Peter also took part but is not pictured.

In Support Of NFL “Plan 88”

On Thursday, January 31^st the Soda Shoppe at Memory Garden was transformed into a  “luxury box” at the Superbowl Southwestern High School Style.  In support of and inspired by the NFL “Plan 88” a year long volunteer program was created to raise awareness about Alzheimer's and dementia within the community and with the help of the Southwestern Football Team. 

This evening was a kick off to a year long program where the players from the Southwestern Varsity and Junior Varsity team will come to Tanglewood Manor and Memory Garden to participate in activities and one on one interaction with residents living in our community.  The 2^nd Tuesday of every month 5 to 10 players will come to Memory Garden and Tanglewood from 3 pm to 4:30pm to take part in this program.

Coach Jay Sirianni and Jon Peterson, Principal were approached by Community Care Coordinator for  Tanglewood Manor, Lisa LaRusch with this idea to create a program where the players were able to learn about dementia and alzheimer’s because so many of the NFL players they idolize of aspire to become have been stricken with this epidemic.  It also gives them the opportunity to make a difference in someone’s day and bring a smile to the face of a resident. Our goal is to reach out to the NFL organization and the founders of the “Plan 88” to let them know there is an alternative to Memory Care within a community that is active and supportive to maintaining the quality of life and the dignity of an individual. 

The residents and players were slow to mingle, but once we introduced the players and gave them and introduction to our residents.  Friends were made quickly and the interaction between the different generations were a magnificent sight to those on the sidelines.  Conversations took place with ease, and there was even piano playing complete with a serenade from the team.  As time went on, we realized that the players weren’t rushing to leave and the residents were in no hurry either to go off and go about their evening.  They shared stories over pizza, snacks, and soda and got to reflect on the Southwestern team’s success as they watched a game tape of a Southwestern victory over Springville.

This is a wonderful program that we hope to expand on in the future, but the support of the Southwestern Football Organization and the school is a tremendous place to start.