Purposeful Gifts for Your Loved One in an Assisted Living & Memory Care Community
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EXCEPTIONAL DEMENTIA CARE

We promise to love and care for
your family as we do our own.

Experience a community that feels like home, surrounded by a dementia care team that loves and cares for residents like their own families.

Care Options for Your Loved One with Dementia

We cherish the memories we make with our family and friends. From birthdays to vacations, to graduation, these moments make up the patchwork quilt of our lives. So when a loved one is diagnosed with dementia, it can feel as though your whole world has turned upside down. Dementia impacts not only the family member diagnosed with dementia but also family and friends who are part of that precious quilt.

The Kensington Reston can help. 

Our caring team can assist at any stage of dementia. We can answer questions about dementia care, offer innovative care and therapy options, as well as provide a virtual tour of our unique memory care communities.

What is Dementia?

Dementia is a term used to describe an individual’s decline in memory or his or her ability to think, which affects their ability to perform everyday activities adequately. 

One of the most common types of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease, which accounts for approximately 60 to 80 percent of all cases. The second most common type of dementia is vascular dementia – one that occurs after a stroke. However, several other conditions may cause symptoms of dementia.

Since dementia is progressive, its symptoms worsen over time. Although there is currently no cure, we can improve the quality of life for those with dementia and their loved ones. 

This is our mission at The Kensington Reston, where we love and care for your family as we do our own.

Have Questions? Contact us about your specific circumstances or to learn more about us.

What are the seven stages of dementia?

Stage 1: No Cognitive Impairment

Though it may seem odd, the lowest dementia stage on the scale is normal mental functioning or no cognitive impairment. There are no signs or symptoms of dementia, memory loss, behavioral problems, or other changes associated with the onset of dementia.

Stage 2: Very Mild Cognitive Decline

Where the heck did I put my keys? What was that person’s name? According to the Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research, at least half of the over-65 population reports some minor age-related forgetfulness. Caregivers or medical providers may not even notice such mild impairment, and not consider it actual dementia. However, it is part of the scale of dementia stages and may precede more noticeable cognitive decline.

Stage 3: Mild Cognitive Decline

When memory and cognitive problems become more regular and noticeable to caregivers and loved ones, they are said to be suffering from mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Since slight cognitive decline can herald more severe stages of dementia in the future, it is crucial to recognize the signs of this stage to alleviate stress in the person and initiate a medical course of action if dementia is treatable. Though MCI does not generally have a significant impact on day-to-day functioning, some common signs include:

  • Impaired work performance
  • Memory loss and forgetfulness
  • Verbal repetition
  • Impaired organization and concentration
  • Trouble with complex tasks and problem-solving
  • Difficulties with driving
Stage 4: Moderate Cognitive Decline

At this point, a person has visible signs of mental impairment that point to early-stage dementia or Alzheimer’s. In addition to worsening of the symptoms discussed above, caregivers should stay alert for signs of:

  • social withdrawal
  • emotional moodiness
  • lack of responsiveness
  • reduced intellectual acuity
  • trouble with routine tasks
  • denial of symptoms
Stage 5: Moderately Severe Cognitive Decline

Beginning at Stage 5 and continuing into the later stages of dementia, a person may no longer be able to carry out normal day-to-day activities such as dressing or bathing without some caregiver assistance. Also, Stage 5 marks the onset of what many professionals refer to as mid-stage dementia. Other symptoms that manifest during this stage include:

  • pronounced memory loss, including a memory of personal details and current events
  • confusion and forgetfulness
  • further reduced mental acuity and problem-solving ability
Stage 6: Severe Cognitive Decline

Stage 6 is also known as middle dementia or moderately severe Alzheimer’s disease, depending on the diagnosis. This dementia stage is characterized by a need for caregivers to help to perform even basic daily activities, such as dressing, eating, using the toilet, and other self-care. Further symptoms may include sleep difficulties, incontinence, personality changes including paranoia or delusions, anxiety, pronounced memory loss, and inability to recognize loved ones.

Stage 7: Very Severe Cognitive Decline

In severe Alzheimer’s disease or late-stage dementia, a person is inherently unable to care for themselves and suffers from both communication and motor impairment. They may lose the ability to speak, walk, or smile without help.

Whether your loved one has Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia-causing illness, familiarizing yourself with the seven clinically recognized stages of dementia can help you arrange for the care they need, when they need it.

Sources:

  • WebMD.com, 2012
  • Mayo Clinic, 2012
  • Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation, 2011
  • A Place for Mom, 2019

What are the leading causes of dementia?

Dementia is usually caused by degeneration in the cerebral cortex, which is responsible for thoughts, memories, actions, and personality. Death of brain cells in this region leads to the cognitive impairments that characterize dementia.

The Kensington Reston and You – Partners in Providing Memory Care for Your Loved One

The Kensington Reston, a Caring Community for those with Dementia

We care deeply about your loved one’s health, happiness, and safety at The Kensington Reston. 

In fact, we have a sacred promise that we often recite as a team: 

We love and care for your family as we do our own. 

We recognize the challenges and concerns that may arise surrounding a diagnosis of dementia, which is why we work alongside you to provide professional and compassionate support that is customized to your loved one’s unique circumstances. 

With a state-of-the-art memory care program and a uniquely high staff-to-resident ratio, we are able to provide individualized care based upon each resident’s personal needs. The Kensington Reston provides manageable, comfortable, and kindhearted care for your loved one.

Here are just a few of the unique features of our exceptional dementia care:

  • Licensed nurse on-site 24/7
  • Dedicated Director of Memory Care
  • Specialized Memory Care team
  • Comprehensively trained caregivers and staff
  • Psychological and psychiatric services
  • On-site physical therapy & fitness center

We believe that each resident is truly valuable and vital – regardless of the severity of his or her memory loss. That’s why we never apply a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, we cater to each individual resident, supporting their unique strengths and abilities. 

We believe in discovering different ways to find the beauty in each moment. We provide individual services that aid us in cultivating this differentiated care environment.

Here are just a few of those unique services:

  • Extensive support programs
    • Wheelchair assistance
    • Two-person or three-person assists
    • Wound care
    • Hospice
  • Medication and diabetes management
  • Rehabilitation
    • Physical
    • Occupational
    • Speech
  • Accommodation of special diets all overseen by a registered dietitian
    • Diabetic
    • Renal
    • Gluten-free
    • Vegetarian

At the Forefront of Dementia Therapies

By utilizing state-of-the-art therapies, The Kensington Reston creates customized, individual service plans to help residents achieve their personal needs and desires. We take into account the physical aspects of each individual’s health, but we also strive to care for their cognitive and spiritual health equally. 

These are a few of the innovative ways that we help to enrich the lives of your loved one:

  • Regular family nights
  • Regular support groups
  • Music and art therapy
  • Pocket Programming (specialized small-group activities)

Specialized Memory Care Communities

Every individual is unique. We believe that each resident deserves to live in a community that is best suited to their capabilities and their degree of memory loss. To ensure that our residents receive the most beneficial and appropriate care for their circumstances, we break our community into two different “neighborhoods.”

Connections

Connections is our neighborhood for early to middle stage Alzheimer’s and dementia care. It’s designed specifically for residents who show increasing signs of memory loss but still retain a significant degree of independence. Our goal is to help residents remain engaged in activities that give meaning and purpose to their lives.

Your loved one may be experiencing increased anxiety, fear of getting lost, isolation, and even depression before transitioning to assisted living. They may be having difficulty with daily tasks without reminders, causing them to become frustrated and lose confidence. They may also wander and become agitated in the late afternoon or early evening, as the sun goes down.

Connections provides a fully-secured environment to maximize safety, in an intimate, elegant, yet comfortable living space that fosters calm and comfort. The neighborhood has porches, a patio, and garden areas to enable residents to enjoy fresh air and sunshine freely. In our memory care neighborhoods, we also offer state-of-the-art wander management technology to manage residents’ whereabouts while allowing them to move freely.

The Connections Resident

  • Is in the early to middle stages of dementia
  • May be experiencing increased anxiety, fear of getting lost, isolation, and depression
  • May be having difficulty with daily tasks without cueing and reminders, resulting in frustration and lack of confidence
  • May wander and become agitated in late afternoon or early evening due to sundowning

The Connections Neighborhood

  • Is cozy, intimate, and fully secured, with direct outdoor terrace access
  • Is filled with the happy sounds and smells of home such as bread baking, music, laughter, and pets
  • Has separate living, dining, café, entertainment, and program spaces

Haven

In our neighborhood for middle to late-stage Alzheimer’s and dementia, residents may be experiencing difficulty recognizing family and friends, organizing thoughts, and managing the activities of daily living. They may require assistance to maintain their appearance and good hygiene, as well as managing incontinence. Wandering and agitation may become more pronounced.

Residents in this neighborhood receive a higher level of assistance and care. Our goal is to maximize comfort, minimize agitation, and soothe compassionately. We also strive to offer residents opportunities to become involved in tailored activities in ways that are enriching and meaningful.

The Haven neighborhood provides cozy and intimate living spaces that enable residents to explore safely and freely. There’s lots of natural light and a fully secure outdoor terrace to create a cheerful environment.

The neighborhood features an adaptive design, including painted walls and doors, motion sensors, specially designed carpet, and memory boxes, to help recognize and minimize confusion. We also make sure the kitchen is filled with happy sounds and smells of home, such as bread baking, music, laughter, and soft voices to soothe and please the senses.

The Haven Resident

  • Is in the middle to late stages of dementia
  • Has difficulty recognizing family and friends, organizing thoughts and managing the activities of daily living
  • Requires assistance to maintain appearance and good hygiene and to prevent incontinence
  • May wander and become agitated in late afternoon or early evening due to sundowning
  • May exhibit challenging behaviors

The Haven Neighborhood

  • Offers a fully secured environment with lots of natural light
  • Is cozy and intimate with living spaces that enable residents to wander safely and freely
  • Has secured and dedicated outdoor space that residents can freely access
  • Is filled with the happy sounds and smells of home such as bread baking, music, laughter and pets

We Love and Care for Your Family As We Do Our Own

Looking at life differently isn’t always easy, but it can always be beautiful. This is a journey that you and your family do not have to go through alone. Although dementia may impact our lives, it doesn’t have to diminish our happiness. 

At The Kensington Reston, we are honored to help you and your family care for your loved one so that you can spend more time with them – enjoying the happy moments. We encourage family and friends to come and visit your loved one as often as possible. However, you can rest assured knowing that your loved one is in compassionate, capable, and professional hands when you are not here.

If your loved one has been diagnosed with dementia and is experiencing memory loss – no matter what stage – The Kensington is here to help make a positive difference.

A Community Centered on Loving Care

Where your loved one can feel at home, with an exceptionally caring team.

Contact us to learn more about our memory care or our specialized care for Alzheimer’s.