Keynote speaker Dr. John Zeisel discusses innovative Alzheimer’s treatment program
Marietta GA (22 May 2019) – Sterling Estates of West Cobb and its new Memory Care Community, The Grande at Sterling Estates, hosted an open house on Thursday, May 2, 2019. The event featured a presentation on dementia care by Dr. John Zeisel, president and co-founder of the Hearthstone Institute, and author of I’m Still Here: A New Philosophy of Alzheimer’s Care.
Deana Harris, executive director at Sterling Estates, opened the event by introducing Rosetta Washington, the new executive director for The Grande, and her staff. Mike Brown, managing partner of Sterling Estates Senior Living Communities, welcomed everyone to The Grande and introduced Zeisel.
“As we prepare to open The Grande at Sterling Estates, we are excited about the prospects of giving hope on a daily basis to those living with this horrible disease,” stated Brown. “We designed this building and the grounds in consultation with Dr. Zeisel, and are implementing his evidence-based, proven philosophy of caring for those with dementia and Alzheimer’s because we believe we can give hope and daily happiness to those with the disease that they otherwise would not have. We want to prove that those with the disease can still connect with others and find happiness through thoughtful and meaningful daily activities and interactions with others. We are excited to bring The Grande at Sterling Estates to benefit both those with Alzheimer’s and dementia as well as family and caregivers in the greater Atlanta community.”
As the keynote speaker for the open house, Zeisel’s presentation centered around how he consulted with the Sterling Estates partners and its architects, Rule Joy Trammel + Rubio, LLC, to design a memory care residence that was purposeful in its layout, with strategically placed common rooms and resident suites that created a natural flow for residents that fit their patterns of movement throughout the day. The building was designed to allow a maximum amount of natural sunlight in throughout the community. A beautifully landscaped, secure courtyard allows for residents to take walks throughout the day and experience the outdoors as they always have throughout their lives.
In addition to the purposeful design of the community The Grande is one of “30 Centers of Excellence,” where caregivers have been trained on the Hearthstone Institute’s evidence-based approach to caring for those with dementia. The I’m Still Here® approach is based on the belief that a person living with Alzheimer’s or dementia, is “still here” and can experience a high quality of life regardless of the degree of memory loss.
“The goal of the I’m Still Here® programming is for residents of The Grande to live with a daily purpose, discovery and joy that they might otherwise not have,” explained Zeisel. “While the major drug companies have spent billions of dollars attempting to find a cure, and as of yet have been unsuccessful, we tackle the disease from a different non-pharmacological angle – to connect to people with the disease on a daily basis through their skills and capabilities that haven’t diminished over time or at least do so more slowly. Using Montessori-inspired methods, we do this throughout the day by engaging residents in clubs, classes, and committees. Residents are active throughout the day in group activities centered around art, music, hobbies and passions of residents that can be rediscovered and enjoyed.”
“There is a new message to be heard,” Zeisel continued. “People living with Alzheimer’s are still people. Alzheimer’s is treatable. Don’t give up. That’s the philosophy of those involved at The Grande at Sterling Estates and the philosophy we share with them.”
The Grande at Sterling Estates with 36 resident suites will open June 3. For more information or to schedule a tour, please call 770.255.7000 or visit our website at TheGrandeatSterlingEstates.com.