Tag Archives: Sagepoint Senior Living

Dementia Demonstration for Leadership Southern Maryland

Members of the 2020 class of Leadership Southern Maryland recently participated in a dementia demonstration presented by the team at Sagepoint Senior Living.

LSM’s Executive Leadership Program is a nine-week course aimed at developing a diverse network of community leaders in Southern Maryland.

“The dementia demonstration was part of the program’s Healthcare Day,” said Sagepoint President and CEO Andrea Dwyer. “It provided these local leaders with a glimpse into the struggles that dementia patients face each day, as well as the challenges that our healthcare community works to overcome.”

Demonstrating the Difficulties of Dementia

Nurse Educator Lee Giannini led the activity which guided the participants through a series of exercises designed to simulate the struggles people with dementia experience with sensory, sensitivity, coordination and cognitive deficits.

Following the discussion, our clinical leadership team, including Dwyer, Michele Buscher, our Chief Nursing Officer (Long-Term Care and Rehabilitation) and Denise McCann, our Chief Nursing Officer (Assisted Living, Memory Care and Adult Day Services). The panel answered questions and presented information to help caregivers and families who have a loved one with a dementia-related illness.

Board Spotlight: Dana Levy Brings Experience and Expertise

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It takes the efforts and support of an entire community to empower Sagepoint Senior Living to provide the level of care that our patients and their families deserve. Our success can be attributed in no small part to our volunteer Board of Directors, made up of talented, compassionate and generous leaders throughout Southern Maryland.

Board member Dana Levy is a shining example of the impact that such people can have on the work that we do each day. Levy is the chairwoman of our Quality Assurance Performance Development and Compliance Committee, which ensures that we are doing all we can to provide the highest levels of care.

Decades of Nursing Experience

She brings exceptional credentials and years of experience to the role. In her full-time job, Levy is Vice President of Nursing Services and Chief Nursing Officer at University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Center in La Plata. She’s been a registered nurse for more than 25 years and brings more than 15 years of experience in nursing leadership roles.

Though Levy has been a fixture in Southern Maryland since 2013, her nursing career has taken her to seven states and 16 medical facilities. She holds a master’s degree in nursing from the University of Phoenix, Arizona campus, and a bachelor’s in nursing from the University of Toledo. She’s also a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, the American Organization for Nurse Executives, and the American Nurses Association.

We are so grateful that she has chosen to share her time and talents with the team at Sagepoint.

Memory Care Makes a Difference

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It’s the most frustrating thing in the world when suddenly everything from the most impactful moments of your life to cherished memories with loved ones seems to disappear overnight. Nothing is sacred when it comes to memory loss, a devastating reality that many will struggle to come to terms with. When dealing with dementia, it’s incredibly important to arm yourself with the information needed to navigate the unknown. Because with the right tools, you can help your loved ones live a fulfilling life after their dementia diagnosis.

What Is Dementia?

Dementia is the deterioration of memory in ways that affect thinking and behavior within everyday life. The result is a loss in capacity that exceeds what can be accounted for through normal aging. And for so many elderly individuals, this is the main factor that increases their dependency on others. One of the most common forms of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease, however, there are many other known types that present in various ways.

Who Is Affected?

Nearly 10 million new cases each year contribute to this world-wide epidemic with nearly 50 million individuals affected in total, according to the World Health Organization. Plus — since age is the strongest known risk factor of dementia — as the population continues to grow, a rise in dementia cases can also be expected in the coming years. Because of its broad impact on so many facets of daily life, dementia will not only bring new and overwhelming changes for the individual but will also deeply affect family members and others in their social circle.

How Is Dementia Treated?

While there is no known treatment to cure dementia at this time, there are a number of ways to improve the lives of those affected by dementia. One of the best things you can do is diagnose dementia early, from there it will be easier to discern exactly what impact it’s having on the individual and what type of care would be best for their particular symptoms to optimize their well-being.

Memory Care Solutions

At Sagepoint, there are a variety of Memory Care options available at our facility. Our highly trained staff is always on hand, providing top-notch supervision and compassionate care. Each day activities and trips are provided to keep our residents active and engaged. The Opening Minds Through Art activities are a perfect example of how we tap into the creative pathways that are still active so that our residents can create something that they’re proud of.

Along with doing all we can to care for our residents with dementia, we’re also focused on educating our wider community about this widespread syndrome. Earlier this winter we had the opportunity to work with our community leaders during Leadership Southern Maryland’s Healthcare Day. There, we led a demonstration that provided a glimpse into the struggles that dementia patients face each day, as well as the challenges that our healthcare community works to overcome.