Reflection and Visit to Village Pointe Memory Care

Emma Lilly

SWRK 210-01

Introduction to Gerontology

Professor Deborah Klein Batelli

November 13th, 2018

I made a trip down to Monroe Village Senior Living specifically Village Pointe. Monroe

Village is a CCRC or a continuing care retirement community. Village Pointe has multiple
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sectors ranging from rehabilitation to memory care. Although I work at this establishment, I was

able to ask if I was able to sit in and observe the day to day activities. Once I arrived, I noticed

the very secure and home-like setting. Wander Guards were in place, the floor plan was large and

circular, and there was a lot of natural light. The architecture and aesthetics matched the patient

group. I arrived before the dinner service started. Village Pointe differs from other centers since

all the residents sit down together at restaurant-style tables. While the residents could not make

any meaningful conversations, it for their own dignity (Hooyman, 2011, p.252). The nurses,

aides, and family members allowed the residents to try to eat by themselves at first. They only

assisted them when they struggled. The main focus was on independence.

The age group of these residents varied. The youngest was 60 the oldest being 103. The

most common ethnicity was Caucasian. There was one African American woman. There was an

even number of both males and females. Although there was a lack of diversity, it did not seem

to affect the residents negatively. Residents were grouped in systematic ways at the dinner tables.

Some residents have behaviors, due to their Alzheimer's. Behaviors range from hallucinations,

standing up and down and shouting. The nurses made sure to separate them since the residents

do feed off each other — some people in addition to these behaviors, exhibit signs of

sundowning. Sundowning is when people with dementia become more confused and agitated

after sunset. (Hooyman, 2011, p.252) By pairing up certain individuals with another, the

residents were able to have a feeling of social support, yet were a safe distance away from

residents who had violent tendencies, or disrupted the over calmness of the envrionemnt. It was

interesting since the residents who did exhibit more violent behaviors were not exiled. They

simply were organized in a dfferent way, where they could still be a part of the community

safely.
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All the residents in this sector have very severe dementia. Most of the residents have

Alzheimer's, while some have Parkinson's. It was interesting to see how physical development

differed so much from cognitive development. Physically, most of the residents were in

wheelchairs. Some had walkers. But most of them could stand up with assistance or without it.

Cognitively, most of the residents were unable to speak or remember their name. So it was

important for nurses and aides to take nonverbal cues from residents. It took a lot of teamwork

between the residents and the team to be successful.

After dinner, it was time for a movie. A patient activity aide moved all the residents into

a smaller room with a TV. A couple of residents were placed at tables, where they could use

sensory items. Some sensory objects that were used were stuffed animals, soothing pads, baby

dolls, and blankets. Each resident had a choice to whether or not they wanted to use said items.

Higher functioning members could color in a simple drawing or do a small puzzle. The movie

was played in the background, while some residents did watch it, it was mostly for background

noise.The movie was “Show Boat”, which made some of the residents nostalgic. Some residents

who were nonverbal even hummed along to the music. All these activities pushed for

independence. While the activity aide encouraged the residents to try the exercises, it was never

a requirement. Halfway through the movie, the activity aide put together a couple of residents for

a balloon toss. Residents worked together to keep the balloon up. They were able to interact with

each other, in a nonverbal way. Residents felt support from both their peers and the staff.

An unfortunate aspect that I observed was elderspeak. Elderspeak is when younger

individuals use more straightforward sentences, pet names and speak in a louder and slower way

than usual (Leland, 2008). The individuals that used elderspeak were nurses, aides, and even

family members. A lot of these comments either contribute to or result from ageism. Ageism is
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when people are discriminated or ostracized because of their age. The comments though did not

come from malice. The comments ranged from ¨dear¨ to ¨you look so cute today¨. What's needed

here is education and awareness about infantilization. This can happen through training through

employees, and knowledge in general. Even some family members particpiated in this. After the

employees are educated, they can share their knowledge with the family members.

As the movie ended, the activity aide brought out the residents into the hallway. The

activity aide interacted with the residents while they waited for a nurse aide to arrive. The aides

are necessary since the residents are unable to do any Activities of Daily Living (ADL´s). Some

everyday tasks that are ADL's are bathing, dressing, eating, standing up and sitting down, and

walking (Hooyman, 2011, p.199). This shows a dependence on the patient to the aide. They still

have independence with small choices such as activities and food selection. The residents also

show interdependence. They rely on the aides for assistance, such as standing up from a sitting

position. The aide also relies on the patient, since they need to work together to make sure this

happens.

The role of the caregiver is passed through multiple people throughout the day. Nurses

and aides all work different times, so the patient has various caregivers. When it is time for lunch

or dinner, it is often a whole staff working together to serve the residents. Waiters would assist

the residents, while activity aides would make the residents comfortable by mingling and playing

music for them. The family even plays a role in this. They act as both a support system and a

caregiver. Multiple roles are filled, varying from support to co-worker to patient.

Overall, this experience was significant. It was amazing seeing how the staff works

together to make sure the residents have the best type of care possible. Even if the residents do

not remember or show gratitude toward the team, they provided the best level of care. Family
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members assisted other residents who were not their own. Residents helped each other as well,

and one could see how this type of social system positively affected the residents, the family, and

even the workers. Issues existed, but these are easily resolvable. Once these issues are resolved,

the care this establishment provides is beyond phenomenal.

Works Cited:

Hooyman, Nancy. R., & Kiyak, H. Asuman. (2011). Social Gerontology:

A Multidisciplinary Perspective. Boston: Pearson/Allyn & Bacon.

Leland, J. (2008, October 06). In 'Sweetie' and 'Dear,' a Hurt for the Elderly. Retrieved from

https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/07/us/07aging.html?_r=1&ei
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