Dementia Services
"Just because you have dementia doesn’t mean you can’t have joy."
Chris Simons
Clark Dementia Services Coordinator
Dementia is a group of symptoms caused by various other diseases or conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s or stroke. There is a decline in cognitive
functioning which is measured by memory impairment, orientation, judgment and learning. Emotional and behavioral changes often appear as well.
So often with dementia, people focus on what is not possible – what is lost. While there is no denying the cognitive, emotional and behavioral declines, many things
are still possible. At Clark, we focus on those possibilities. We serve as facilitators and friends for our residents. We serve as support systems and educators to
the loved ones of our residents. We serve as a resource for programming and dementia strategies for the general community.
Dementia does not eliminate the need to give and receive love; or to be connected with others in positive relationships; or to be respected for prior accomplishments
and current abilities. Our staffing, environments and programming revolve around this philosophy.
The Friends Swim Club is a perfect example. Every week, assisted living and skilled nursing residents head to the Clark pool for an afternoon of fun and camaraderie.
It is making a splash in the world of dementia. The subject of a Central Michigan University study, The Friends Swim Club was also featured in the April 2007 edition of
the national magazine Nursinghomes. The Clark Dementia Services Coordinator was invited to share information about The Friends Swim Club at the 2006 annual Alzheimer’s
Association conference. It was also named the Most Innovative Program of 2005 by the Michigan Association of Homes and Services for the Aging.
Pairing customized care with cutting edge technology, Clark is the first continuing care retirement community in Michigan to utilize a computer system called
It’s Never 2 Late. Adaptable to meet the needs and interests of residents, this program has cognitive therapy tools; virtual bike, flight and driving simulators;
as well as interactive musical experiences and games. Available in all dementia areas, It’s Never 2 Late also enables families and residents to share photos and
e-mail messages.
There is one more dementia first. Clark is the first organization in the United States to receive accreditation for dementia services by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities-Continuing Care Accreditation Commission (CARF-CACC).
In addition to weekly Dementia Support Groups, a monthly Dementia Education Series features lectures by community experts who share the latest in their fields. The Support Groups and the Dementia Education Series are open to the public.
For more information, simply click on the links below, please click on the links below,
email your request or contact the Clark
Marketing and Admissions staff at (616) 452-1568 extension 107 or toll free at 800-770-1117. Click here to download an
application for residency.
Assisted Living Dementia Services |
Skilled Nursing Dementia Services |
Support Groups
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