Memorycare

MEMORYCARE'S MISSION IS THREE-FOLD: TO PROVIDE SPECIALIZED MEDICAL CARE TO OLDER ADULTS WITH COGNITIVE LOSS; TO SUPPORT CAREGIVERS WITH EDUCATION, COUNSELING AND...(SEE ENTIRE MISSION STATEMENT ON PAGE 2)

MEMORYCARE WAS ESTABLISHED AS A COMMUNITY-BASED, CHARITABLE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION TO ADDRESS THE NEED FOR EXCELLENT CARE FOR PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA THAT INCLUDES FAMILIES THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS OF THEIR CARE. NOW IN OUR 22ND YEAR, WE ARE NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED AS PIONEERS IN DEMENTIA CARE, AND REMAIN THE ONLY PROGRAM IN WESTERN CAROLINA THAT INTEGRATES FAMILY SUPPORT AND EDUCATION WITH EXPERT MEDICAL CARE OF ADULTS WITH DEMENTIA. IN 2021, 99% OF CAREGIVERS SURVEYED EXPRESSED SATISFACTION WITH MEMORYCARE'S PROGRAM AND 97% SAID THEY WOULD RECOMMEND MEMORYCARE TO OTHERS. MEMORYCARE IS AN OUT-PATIENT, CONSULTATIVE PROGRAM WITH THE GOAL THAT ALL IMPACTED BY DEMENTIA CAN HAVE THE BEST POSSIBLE QUALITY OF LIFE. DEMENTIA IS A CHRONIC, PROGRESSIVE ILLNESS THAT CURRENTLY HAS NO CURE OR VIABLE TREATMENT. ALL WITH THE DISEASE EVENTUALLY REQUIRE THE HELP OF OTHERS WHO THEMSELVES NEED SUPPORT AND EDUCATION TO MANAGE AS WELL AS POSSIBLE.

UTILIZING A MULTIDISCIPLINARY, HOLISTIC APPROACH, OUR CARE TEAMS PROVIDE DIAGNOSTIC WORK-UP, DISEASE MANAGEMENT PLANNING,TRAINING AND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE TO HANDLE CHALLENGING BEHAVIORS AND SAFETY CONCERNS, CAREGIVER TRAINING, COUNSELING AND SUPPORT. WE HELP COODINATE AVAILABLE COMMUNITY RESOURCES, ASSIST LOW-INCOME OLDER ADULTS WITH APPLICATIONS FOR MEDICATION ASSISTANCE, AND COUNSEL INDIVIDUALS/FAMILIES ABOUT END OF LIFE DECISION MAKING. ALL FAMILIES ARE PROVIDED A DETAILED WRITTEN CARE PLAN THAT IS AMENDED AS THE ILLNESS PROGRESSES AND HAVE FULL ACCESS TO OUR RESOURCE LIBRARY AND STAFF FOR EDUCATIONAL MATERIAL. IN 2021, OUR STAFF PROVIDED COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES TO 1,080 PATIENTS AND 3,456 CAREGIVERS THROUGH OUR CORE CLINICAL PROGRAM. FAMILIES WERE SEEN IN OUR ASHEVILLE OFFICE, OUR RURAL SATELLITE CLINIC IN WAYNESVILLE, AND THROUGH OUR HOME VISIT PROGRAM IN BUNCOMBE COUNTY.

WE ARE DEVOTED TO PROVIDING COMMUNITY EDUCATION ABOUT DEMENTIA, CAREGIVING,AND AGING-RELATED HEALTH ISSUES AND TEACH PROFESSIONAL HEALTH CARE STUDENTS AND PROVIDERS ON THESE TOPICS AS WELL. IN 2021, WE FACILITATED 152 PRESENTATIONS AND REACHED 1,554 INDIVIDUALS THROUGH OUR EDUCATION PROGRAMS, INCLUDING 147 WHO ATTENDED OUR 6-WEEK SERIES,"CAREGIVER COLLEGE" VIA LIVE STREAM AND 69 WHO ACCESSED IT FOR SELF-STUDY ONLINE. OUR MEMORYCAREGIVERS NETWORK CONTINUED TO OFFER THREE PEER CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUPS TO ALL CAREGIVERS OF A LOVED ONE WITH DEMENTIA IN THE COMMINITY AND HAD 65 INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE REGULAR PARTICIPANTS THIS YEAR. OUR ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER WITH INFORMATION ABOUT CAREGIVING, RESOURCES, AND LOCAL EVENTS WAS SENT TO 3,925 INDIVUDALS AND, WE MAINTAIN A RESOURCE LIBRARY FOR THE PUBLIC WITH INFORMATION ABOUT DEMENTIA, DEMENTIA CARE, HEALTHY AGING, AND MORE. ONE HUNDRED PERCENT OF MEMORYCARES STAFF, BOARD OF DIRECTORS, AND VOLUNTEERS GIVE IN SUPPORT OF OUR PROGRAM.