CASE STUDY:
Wyland and Audrey
Move to Memory Care
1 • Edgewood Case Study // Wyland and Audrey Move to Memory Care
J ILL’ S PA R EN T S AUD R E Y A N D
W Y LA N D moved into the brand new
Edgewood Senior Living community
in Pierre, South Dakota. There they
resided in assisted living, which
offered Jill’s family peace of mind
knowing their parents were in good
hands. When Wyland needed more
services than were offered in assisted
living, his family and the staff at
Edgewood worked together to decide
that it was time to help him transition
to memory care.
2 • Edgewood Case Study // Wyland and Audrey Move to Memory Care
MAKING THE MOVE
Audrey, too, was developing dementia,
and Wyland would be on site - helping to
and could have stayed in assisted living
make this move a success and keep the
or moved to memory care. Making this
couple comfortable.
transition together would be a source
of comfort and familiarity for Wyland,
Wyland has dementia, along with macular
so they made the move together. This
degeneration and AFIB. A beta blocker
transition can be stressful for seniors,
that helps control his heart rate also
especially those suffering from dementia,
lowers his blood pressure, which can lead
so Edgewood wanted to provide as
to frequent falls. In memory care, Wyland
much stability as possible. They even
receives a lot of one-on-one attention
rescheduled the move by several days
from nurses and staff as they check on
so the staff members familiar to Audrey
him frequently to ensure his safety and
personal well-being.
“It takes a special kind of person to do that
job,” Jill shared. “They genuinely care.” The
staff at Edgewood have helped alleviate
any fears she had of her parents moving
to memory care.
When in assisted living, the senior couple
would attend weekly church services
thanks to the transit bus, and Wyland
went to a men’s coffee group on the
premises. Now that they’re in memory
3 • Edgewood Case Study // Wyland and Audrey Move to Memory Care
care, Wyland and Audrey can still attend
the restroom or finding their belongings.
these events if staff or loved ones
The couple also likes having a closer
accompany them. It took some getting
relationship with the staff since they have
used to, but Jill’s family visits several
more time with them individually.
times a week, taking them shopping or
out to eat as well as to these activities
they cherish.
Wyland and Audrey’s memory care
apartment is very open, allowing them to
enjoy more natural light. The layout also
offers functional advantages: it allows
memory care residents an easy line of
sight to their entire living space and
cues certain behaviors, such as locating
“Knowing my parents
are being looked in
on more often than
on the assisted living
side makes me feel
comfortable. I know my
parents are safe.”
4 • Edgewood Case Study // Wyland and Audrey Move to Memory Care
– JILL
THE IMPORTANCE OF A CONTINUUM OF CARE
Continuum of care is a major benefit that
many families look for when choosing a
senior living community for their loved
ones. Knowing that there is a memory
care option onsite and available in the
event their friend or family member
needs more care is very helpful. This
makes a potential move much easier, as
the person will only move a floor or two
away instead of across town.
Edgewood senior living also encourages
residents to bring their personal
belongings to make their space feel
like home. It’s nothing like a hospital
atmosphere with a set of boring furniture
“It’s been a roller
coaster of emotions
but we’re really pleased
with everything. The
staff and everybody
has made it so easy
and removed the
potential for the move
to be traumatizing.”
– JILL
and strict rules. Instead, it’s helpful for
seniors, especially those with dementia
or Alzheimer’s, to have their favorite
recliner to sit in or to be able to use their
own lamps and decorations. This offers
a sense of stability and familiarity that
cannot be replaced.
EDGEWOODSENIORLIVING.COM
5 • Edgewood Case Study // Wyland and Audrey Move to Memory Care