COVINGTON, LA – Fall is in the air, and that means the leaves will soon be changing colors and eventually making their way to the ground. Avanti Senior Living in Covington plans on putting that foliage and other decorative items to good use.
On Saturday, Sept. 23, Avanti Senior Living and its residents are inviting families, friends and neighbors to the community to craft ornamental wreaths at the Avanti Senior Living of Covington, located at 2234 Watercross Pkwy., off Highway 21 and Ochsner Blvd., from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
The event’s goal is to introduce the community to Avanti, and serve as a fundraiser for the Northshore Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Those creating wreaths are asked to make a minimum donation of $35, which will go to the northshore nonprofit.
Refreshments will also be included.
RSVP by calling (985) 317-6110 or emailing: HelloCovington@Avanti-sl.com
Those caring for a family member with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia know very well that every day presents challenges, and some are overwhelming, Avanti reps said. How to keep a loved one safe while at the same time trying to provide some quality of life can be a daunting task. Avanti offers 50 assisted living suites and 40 memory care suites, also known as Salize suites, and it’s the memory care that will be the focus of a special evening on Tuesday, Oct. 3, at Avanti Senior Living Covington, as Avanti introduces a new concept in care for those with memory impairment.
Avanti staff who will be aiding those in the Salize suites will follow a model of care focusing on the mind’s strengths and establishing a connection with their abilities, which don’t diminish with time. These abilities include understanding music, art, facial expressions and touch. Avanti’s Salize model is based on the research of Dr. John Zeisel, who is president of the I’m Still Here Foundation and Hearthstone Alzheimer Care, Ltd.
On Tuesday, Oct. 3, Avanti will host Dr. Zeisel who will lead a presentation called, ‘Hope Versus Despair: A New Paradigm in Memory Care.’” The discussion will focus on the forward-thinking philosophy and method of caring for those with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia.
“We recognized right away that this is the most innovative approach we have seen for treating and engaging those living with Alzheimer’s and dementia,” Lori Alford, COO of Avanti Senior Living, said. “Avanti Senior Living will be the first senior living community in the greater New Orleans area to partner with and develop its memory care programming and training around Dr. Zeisel’s enlightened concept. Though there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, we can treat it nonpharmacologically by focusing on the mind’s strengths. Having witnessed its success, we are eager to share this knowledge with the public by hosting an evening with Dr. Zeisel.”
Dr. Zeisel’s talk will focus on information from his book, “I’m Still Here: A New Philosophy of Alzheimer's Care” (Penguin/ Avery Books 2010). The reception with refreshments and the book signing and will start at 6:00 p.m., followed by a discussion and Q&A at 6:30 p.m. when Dr. Zeisel will provide insight into a major paradigm shift taking place in the field of dementia care: the realization that every care partner has the opportunity and the responsibility to make a positive difference in the lives of people living with memory challenges.
Through the lens of the new Ecopsychosocial Model, Dr. Zeisel will discuss evidence-based strategies that help people in all stages of memory loss to continue to learn, achieve, and give back to their community.
"Alzheimer's doesn't take away memory, your memories are all in there," explains Dr. Zeisel. “The part of the brain that's damaged is the part that gives you access to memory. It's as if you put the memories in the glove compartment and you lost the key, and viewing artwork unlocked it."
Family members of those living at Avanti and the public are invited to attend the free event.
Avanti is the newest senior community in Covington. The 77,000-square foot, $15 million community provides both independent living and memory care. The community, which resembles a boutique hotel with resort-like amenities, offers residents a state-of-the-art wellness center with ballet barre and fitness programs, a theater area, formal and casual restaurants that provide fresh meals on demand, and a full-service salon and spa offering relaxation therapy, aromatherapy, therapeutic massages, hair styling and manicures/pedicures, reps said.
Avanti Senior Living is designed to empower seniors by encouraging engagement, and Avanti does this by including in its residential community a creative art studio with talented instructors, reps said.
