Exciting things are happening at Ahava Memory Care Center of Excellence! Starting this month, we are thrilled to introduce Virtual Reality (VR) to our array of programming. VR technology is gaining recognition as a valuable tool in dementia-related interventions, serving as a non-pharmacological therapy that enhances the quality of life and overall wellbeing of people with dementia. With a head-mounted display, VR creates immersive experiences that can transport individuals to various simulated environments—whether it’s their hometown, a beloved vacation spot, or even historical landmarks. VR offers a wonderful alternative for residents who may have difficulty accessing the “natural world,” enabling them to unlock cherished memories and explore new places from the comfort and safety of Ahava. Research has shown that VR environments can help to improve mood and wellbeing among individuals with dementia, and we are looking forward to to observing the positive impacts this technology will have on our residents. This creative technology will be a great new opportunity for joy and engagement for our residents.
This summer we made significant lighting upgrades throughout Ahava, installing high-efficiency LED lighting in our public and common areas. These enhancements are designed to improve the overall environment, minimizing the impact harsh lighting and shadows can have on residents with memory and sensory challenges.
Finally, our residents continue to enjoy regular visits from Creative Melodies, a team of wonderful music therapists who offer a variety of therapeutic activities, including singing, drumming, playing instruments, guided relaxation, and sensory stimulation. These music therapy sessions have a profound impact on our residents, helping to facilitate socialization and communication, encouraging movement, and improving cognition. Musical perception, musical emotion, and musical memory often endure long after other forms of memory and cognitive function have diminished. For individuals with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia, music can unlock memories that might otherwise remain out of reach. We’ve witnessed firsthand how music acts as a powerful, soothing tool, not only brightening our residents’ entire day after a music therapy session but also improving their sleep patterns at night. We are proud of our Music Therapy program at Ahava!
-Nicole Morgan, PCHA
Executive Director, Ahava Memory Care Center of Excellence
The image at the top showcases the view of Arches National Park through VR, an example of one of the many exciting destinations our residents can virtually explore!