Memory Care Services at Solheim Lutheran Home

Solheim’s Memory Care unit is our Halvorson Special Care Unit. It was recently described by a Glendale cardiologist as “the Cadillac of Care.” Our Memory Care Unit is a secured environment with private rooms and bathrooms which has at its center the beautiful California Garden. The California Garden was designed specially to be open at all times to its residents; there's ample indoor and outdoor space for residents to wander safely.

With almost a 1 to 1 ratio of staff to residents, we strive to meet the needs of the growing population of seniors who need this level of care. Solheim’s Director of Nursing meets personally with each resident before they move to Solheim to assure that we understand the unique needs of the person we are admitting. We welcome and encourage family involvement and strive to work with families as part of the Solheim team. Solheim offers an Alzheimer’s support group for families monthly on Sunday afternoons. READ MORE

It is often hard for families to know when their loved one needs more supervision or care with memory loss. Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease provided by the National Alzheimer’s Association:

  • Memory Loss that Disrupts Daily Life
  • Challenges in Planning or Solving Problems
  • Difficulty Completing Familiar Tasks at Home
  • Confusion with Time or Place
  • Trouble Understanding Visual Images and Spatial Relationships
  • New Problems with Words in Speaking or Writing
  • Misplacing Things and Losing the Ability to Retrace Steps
  • Decreased or Poor Judgment
  • Withdrawal from Work or Social Activities
  • Changes in Mood or Personalities

A few things Solheim staff also know to be too true:

Depression, isolation, and anger outbursts are frequently an adjunct problem for individuals with memory loss. This is not a reason to stray from socialization. In fact, most individuals are happier and healthier when they remain engaged socially. At Solheim, social engagement, activities, and outings are an integral part of the care plan. Our excellent activity program strives to provide an abundant life from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. seven days a week. Activity and nursing staff work closely together to meet the residents' specific physical and social needs. Individuals are afforded utmost respect, yet it isn't assumed they will be able to function on their own; a structured environment facilitates fulfillment and success for them. They also have fun! They don't spend all of their time in the Unit but participate in many outings as a group: Legg Lake in Whittier, a trip to the Americana, Tuesday summer night outdoor concerts in Pasadena, and The Hollywood Bowl. There is an annual family and friends Luau, high tea, and in spring a planting party.

Though it is less expensive for Memory Patients to share rooms, this is not optimal care and it’s why Solheim has only private rooms with private bathrooms in our Memory Care area. Serious memory problems that impair judgment, and often the safety of the individual, are not only Alzheimer’s disease. Memory loss that affects one’s ability to safely care for herself can be caused by stroke, heart attack, and other health problems.

Solheim’s charitable giving and long range planning will continue to prepare ourselves to serve the silver tsunami of aging baby boomers with a strong emphasis on continually refining our understanding of Memory Care. Our mission is to provide the best quality of life for seniors no matter what their health challenges will be.

RESIDENTIAL LIVING | ASSISTED LIVING | MEMORY CARE | SKILLED NURSING