Living at Birchwood
At Birchwood Cottages, we are committed to respecting the path of life and all that the aging process may bring. We offer increased social and health care services at a lower cost than traditional medical-model nursing homes. In addition, it is always our goal to provide care through end-of-life in order to avoid another move for our residents.
It is our belief that those with memory loss adapt best when they are able to live in a home that specializes in their memory care needs. Living with dementia can make it difficult to successfully integrate with conventional nursing home and assisted-living residents.
Birchwood Cottages focuses on these special needs. We train our staff to tailor social and recreational programs to each individual’s strengths and skills. Our small size allows us to get to know each resident’s personal and work history, their interests and hobbies. It is this knowledge that allows us to provide the very best care to each resident.
Birchwood Cottages provides a full-array of personal care services as well as comprehensive social and recreational programs. Our professional staff creates a personal care plan for each resident that addresses his or her needs and desires. Whenever possible, our caregivers accommodate individual preferences and encourage resident-centered choices.
Assisted Living and Memory Care
At Birchwood Cottages, we are committed to respecting the path of life and all that the aging process may bring. We offer increased social and health care services at a lower cost than traditional medical-model nursing homes. In addition, it is always our goal to provide care through end-of-life in order to avoid another move for our residents.
It is our belief that those with memory loss adapt best when they are able to live in a home that specializes in their memory care needs. Living with dementia can make it difficult to successfully integrate with conventional nursing home and assisted-living residents.
Birchwood Cottages focuses on these special needs. We train our staff to tailor social and recreational programs to each individual’s strengths and skills. Our small size allows us to get to know each resident’s personal and work history, their interests and hobbies. It is this knowledge that allows us to provide the very best care to each resident.
Birchwood Cottages provides a full-array of personal care services as well as comprehensive social and recreational programs. Our professional staff creates a personal care plan for each resident that addresses his or her needs and desires. Whenever possible, our caregivers accommodate individual preferences and encourage resident-centered choices.
Dementia-Related Behavior and Medication Usage
Birchwood Cottages is an industry leader in person-centered care. It is no surprise to family members that memory loss often comes with behaviors that can make it difficult to care for their loved one. In fact, it is these behaviors that most often necessitate a move out of their home. It also can result in people with dementia being prescribed antipsychotic medications that come with harmful side effects and negative outcomes.
Birchwood Cottages continually examines our residents’ medications to see how we can partner with their family and medical provider to reduce or eliminate any unneeded medications. When these medications are reduced or eliminated, there can sometimes be an increase in their behavior that we address using a holistic process involving music, engagement, essential oils, and massage. This approach is not to say that traditional medicine does not have a place in treatment of dementia, but rather, that by incorporating non-traditional, non-medical treatments we can often produce the desired result. Likewise, it can also increase a loved one’s recollection and recognition with additionally bettering overall lifestyle.
Activities
Birchwood Cottages Life Enrichment Program is developed according to the preferences and needs of each unique individual. Opportunities for movement, socialization, and sensory stimulation are offered daily. An activity calendar is available to residents and their families and is posted internally. Life skills and individualized personal interests are setup and encouraged.
At Birchwood Cottages, residents can enjoy the little things that make a difference in their lives. It is our belief that by performing the routine tasks of daily living helps people preserve their self-esteem and dignity. Residents are encouraged to help with meal preparation and clean up, housekeeping chores, laundry and even grocery shopping. This focus allows our residents to maintain a lifestyle centered on familiar household routines.
We encourage a connection to nature and the outdoors by growing vegetables and flowers in the summer. We are able to enjoy our own tomatoes, green beans, peas and cucumbers. Residents are able to help water the flowers and harvest the vegetables. We also feed the variety of birds that come to our feeders and birdbaths!
Other activities include reminiscing, memory stimulation, sensory stimulation, favorite games, story-telling, pet visits, music and much more. The goal of Birchwood Cottages is to provide residents with an opportunity to have moments of joy.
Music is an integral part of our daily programming. Listening to music, singing, playing instruments, movement to music, Music and Memory and music trivia are just some of the musical events held at Birchwood.
Cottage Style Living in Southern MN
Birchwood Cottages leads the way in creating smaller settings specializing in care for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease or other related dementias.
Our cottages are designed with the special needs of our residents in mind. The environment, programs and services allow residents to age in a familiar setting. The result is innovative households with spacious, social kitchens, beautiful sunrooms and living rooms. All are conducive to relaxing visits from family and friends in true home-like surroundings. We also offer our residents the ability to safely enjoy a connection to the outdoors with our enclosed courtyard with gardens and walking paths.
Birchwood Cottages believes that those experiencing memory loss benefit from living in a true home-like environment with traditional floor plans and furnishings.
This familiar environment helps our resident’s feel comfortable; unlike conventional assisted living facilities or nursing homes where long hallways, identical doors and similar rooms feel confusing, overwhelming and threatening to those with dementia.
We believe that offering free meals to our visitors and staff encourages a family-like atmosphere and gives our residents an opportunity to have a connection with others in the community. What better way to get to know one another than by sharing a meal together!