Summer Breeze Senior Living Memory Care Director Jennifer Kritz checking her portal and talking to a family member of a new potential patient for the center. “It’s often a very emotional call I get from a daughter, son, or partner who is struggling with the reality that they can’t provide the care their loved one now needs,” Jennifer says.
Director Jennifer Kritz engages in conversation with Clara Benson, Helen Whitaker, and Ruth Caldwell as they eat lunch together at the center. “Mealtime is one of the residents' favorite part of the day. I think they feel natural and comforted by sharing a meal all together,” Jennifer explains.
Laura Hanks is enjoying her lunch of fried chicken, cajun fries, and coleslaw. Laura forgets her name sometimes, but she doesn't forget that her daughter, Kimberly Dean, and son-in-law, James Dean, created a famous picture book series called "Pete the Cat".
An illustration from the "Pete the Cat" series written by James and Kimberly Dean. Laura has this picture up proudly above her bed in her room.
Jennifer asks Valerie Gardner how she's enjoying her lunch. Valerie has forgotten most words and her vocabulary is now very limited, except for yes, no, maybe, ok, and good morning.
Cassie Hanks starts crushing the medications for the residents. "A lot of them don't like to swallow pills, so we crush it up for them, it's easier that way."
Cassie puts the crushed pills into applesauce for some of the residents. "I've seen that this is the best received method of getting them to take their meds."
Peggy Dean is having her lunch in her own private room. "Aunt" Peggy is Paula Dean's aunt and has been at the center for almost eight years.
Cassie tries to give Peggy her meds in the applesauce, but Peggy doesn't know if she wants it. "We have this same conversation everyday, Peggy doesn't remember what meds she is on or why she's on it, and we go through the why's and how's before she'll finally take it," Cassie says.
Peggy takes her meds. "Now, that wasn't so bad was it?"
A picture of Peggy Dean with her niece, Paula Dean. "I'm proud of what she has done, I miss her," Peggy says.
Peggy Dean with Oprah Whitney. "My niece sure knows some people in high places! She's got those connections, and connects me too!"
Jennifer cuts food for Gertie Lanks. "Gertie forgets how to use her utensils often so I have to cut her food so she will be able to eat."
Lois Akins is about to wheel herself outside to sit in the sun. "I get cold and I need to warm up!"
Valerie likes to pose whenever she puts on a new outfit. “She’ll change outfits 10 times a day sometimes because she doesn’t remember that she already changed earlier," Jennifer explains.
Chari McCall shows a picture of her with her former husband, Dan McCall. "She keeps saying it was only 10 years ago even though it's now been about 55," says Jennifer.
Laura is about to take a shower but wants to figure out what she'll wear after. She likes bright pink and purples in her clothes.
Jennifer assists Laura into the shower. "She's very frail, so I need to make sure she is able to get in and out, and in the shower we have her in a chair."
Laura is getting her hair blown dry by Cassie. "This is our routine everyday, Laura's told me before she feels like she's getting a salon treatment whenever we do this."
Cassies finishes up blow drying Laura's hair. “Working with residents who have memory loss can be challenging, but our goal is always to meet them where they are and help them feel as normal and comfortable as possible in the moment.”
