Memory Care in Centennial, CO at Our Milwaukee Way Home

Memory care is a type of assisted living for people whose dementia affects their safety, judgment or ability to manage daily tasks. Memory care involves a secure setting, caregivers trained in dementia care, and a predictable daily routine.

Our approach starts with the person. Dementia changes how someone experiences the world, so we adjust to them. If a resident believes it is 1975 and they are late for work, we listen, reassure them and gently redirect, which means turning their attention to something calming or familiar.

When a resident becomes anxious, we try a walk, a snack, music or time in our quiet room first. Medication changes are a last step, made with the resident's doctor and family.

We care for adults living with:

• Alzheimer's disease
• Vascular dementia
• Lewy body dementia
• Frontotemporal dementia
• Dementia related to Parkinson's disease

You can read more about how we care for residents across all our homes on our Memory Care page.

People with dementia often feel calmer and safer when they know what comes next. We keep a routine that residents can count on, with room for good days and slower ones. A typical day looks like this:

• Morning: Help with waking, dressing and grooming at each person's own pace, then breakfast together.
• Late morning: A small-group activity, such as music, a simple craft or a game.
• Midday: Lunch, followed by rest time for those who want it.
• Afternoon: Time outdoors on the patio, reminiscence or a visit from a family member.
• Evening: Dinner, a quiet program and help getting ready for bed.

We plan activities each day, built around what each resident enjoys and can still do well. Options include music, art, raised garden planters and live entertainment. Reminiscence activities use old photos, songs and objects to spark long-term memories. We also schedule outings for residents who are able to go.

We cook three meals a day in the home's own kitchen and keep snacks available between meals. Residents eat together at the dining table, much as they would with family.

Many residents enjoy helping with simple kitchen tasks, like stirring a batter, folding napkins or setting the table. These small jobs give a sense of purpose, and we welcome them for anyone who wants to join in.

Dementia can change appetite and the ability to swallow. Our caregivers watch for these changes, offer drinks throughout the day, and adjust food textures when a resident needs softer or pureed meals. We also follow diets ordered by a resident's doctor.

Every resident has a written care plan that lists the help they need and how they like it given. We review it as needs change and share updates with the family.

• Help with bathing, dressing, grooming and walking
• Incontinence care
• A walk-in hydrotherapy tub
• Nighttime checks
• Laundry and linen service

Our trained staff follow residents' medication schedules and keep a record of every dose. We work with the pharmacy on refills and with the resident's doctor when a prescription changes.

• On-site physician visits
• On-site physical therapy
• Coordination with the resident's own doctor
• A call system in every bedroom and bathroom

If your loved one is in need of end of life care, they can stay in our home and receive hospice services, so they remain with caregivers they know. 

Wandering is common with dementia. Our home is a secure environment, which means the exterior doors are monitored so a resident cannot leave alone without staff knowing.

Inside, residents move freely between their room, the shared spaces and the fenced backyard. Other safety features include:

• Handrails along the hallways
• Accessible bathrooms with grab bars
• A call system in every bedroom and bathroom
• Caregivers awake and on site overnight

Caregivers are on site 24 hours a day. With a small household, staff notice the little things, like when someone is eating less, sleeping poorly or seems more confused than usual.

Colorado requires at least four hours of dementia training for direct-care staff in assisted living, plus six more hours for staff in a secure memory care setting. Our caregivers complete eight hours of memory care training and eight more hours through the Alzheimer's Association.

We charge one monthly price that covers care, medications, room and board. There are no add-on fees when care needs increase, so families can plan a budget without surprise charges.

We set each resident's price after a care assessment, a meeting where our team learns about health, daily routines and the help needed. Give us a call at (303) 625-9370 to learn more about pricing.

Most families start with a phone call and a tour. Here's our typical process

1. Call or schedule a tour. Reach us at (303) 625-9370 or book a visit online.
2. Visit the home. Meet the caregivers, see the bedrooms and ask every question you have.
3. Complete the assessment. Our team meets with your loved one and reviews their health history. A medical provider completes the evaluation Colorado requires for secure memory care.
4. Review the care plan and price. We go over the services your loved one will receive and the monthly cost.
5. Choose a move-in date. We help you plan the day so it goes as smoothly as possible.
6. Make the room familiar. Families bring photos, bedding and favorite items so the room feels like home on the first night.

We also offer respite care, a short stay that gives family caregivers time to rest, travel or recover. Call us to ask about availability at our Centennial home.

Moving a parent or spouse into memory care is hard, even when it is the right choice. Many families feel guilt, relief and grief all at once. We expect that, and we make room for it.

You are always welcome to visit, call and join meals. Our staff share updates on how your loved one is eating, sleeping and settling in, and we sit down with you to update the care plan whenever your loved one's health or daily routine shifts. If your loved one has a hard first week, we will talk it through with you and adjust. We know the move to memory care can be difficult for you and your loved one. Our staff will lead you through the process with care and support.

The home sits in the peaceful Dream House Acres neighborhood off of S University Blvd and E Orchard Rd. Families visiting from Denver or the south suburbs can reach it from I-25 by way of Arapahoe Rd or Orchard Rd.

In the event of an emergency, we are within a close drive of multiple hospitals in the area.

A visit is the clearest way to judge whether a home fits. Come meet our caregivers, see a bedroom and sit at the kitchen table for a few minutes. If you are not ready to tour, call us and we will talk through your situation.

Your loved one's care plan should be as unique as they are. With different needs, ailments, limitations, and desires, each senior at Rocky Mountain Assisted Living and Memory Care has a customized care plan. Your loved one's care plan may include: