Portraits® and Snapshots™ Programs
Two Programs – One Method
Heritage Communities proudly offers two programming options for our residents living with mild cognitive impairment and dementia.
Both programs are rooted in traditional Montessori philosophies and techniques focusing on stimulating the senses and creating activities that match each resident’s interest and abilities. The same approach has shown positive impact on residents with dementia. Success is centered on enhancing our residents’ abilities – what they can do instead of what they can’t. We focus on Dr. Maria Montessori’s goals of enabling individuals to be as independent as possible, have a meaningful place in their community, build positive self-esteem and have opportunities to contribute to their environment.
Our communities strive to offer cognitively stimulating activities for all our residents, including community-wide murder mystery games, cardio-drumming, musical memory sessions, Boomwackers concerts, and more. Even simply participating in social activities has been shown in studies to slow cognitive decline.
Snapshots™
Safety, Support and Socialization for Those Living with Mild Cognitive Impairment in Assisted Living
For those living with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), the effects aren’t so mild. Crowds or stimulating experiences can be overwhelming. Worries that others may notice their confusion may keep them from doing the things they love.
Snapshots™ was created just for these moments for our assisted living residents.
Snapshots provides safety, support and socialization opportunities for assisted living residents with MCI, helping them thrive and enjoy life.
Thoughtfully designed activities for a small, select group of residents help increase engagement where larger group options would be too stressful. Activities are scheduled two to three times each week for the program’s identified members. These structured activities may take place in either a group setting or one-on-one, depending on which method the participant needs to be most successful. Snapshots™ programming was created to provide a vehicle for residents to enjoy leisure activities once again, by receiving hands on assistance from our Life Enrichment team.
Who Can Participate in Snapshots?
- Assisted Living Residents
- Individuals with MCI or early dementia/Alzheimer’s
- Individuals who want to socialize with others with similar challenges
- Couples that want to stay together in an Assisted Living apartment
- A couple with one spouse who has MCI and increased care needs
Snapshots Highlights
- Safe living environment with wellness checks
- Small group and one-on-one programming
- Daily exercise for the body and brain
- Monthly wellness visits
- Guidance and support through the Memory Care journey
- Referrals to the area’s top neurologists and specialists
- 24/7 access to staff trained in dementia care
Portraits
The Portraits program was developed to give residents in our memory care communities distinct roles and routines. While Snapshots™ takes place a few times each week, Portraits is an ongoing way of life, each and every day. With Portraits, we build routines and responsibilities to align with their life story, interests, aspirations, and abilities, ensuring they stay connected with their past. This gives residents purpose in their day to help them find a way to have meaning and joy while reducing frustration. Regardless of their passion, our memory care program honors residents’ personal interests, keeping them connected to the activities they love.
Watch this informative video to learn more about our unique person-centered memory care Portraits® program and how it brings new meaning to the lives of our residents.
All Heritage associates are responsible for engaging residents in Portraits to retain, exercise and stimulate their remaining abilities. Associates have been trained to have a deeper understanding of the Montessori teachings, and how to apply those to varying dementias.
The Portraits Team gathers and reviews information about each resident’s life and notes their daily observations and interactions. From here, an individualized Portraits plan is crafted. This plan is a personal activity and program guide, developed to help residents succeed with everyday life activities that are best suited to their abilities, interests and needs. Portraits takes a unique approach to capturing moments of joy, wellness and peace for every resident.
When you visit our communities, you will see Portraits stations throughout the area. Each is designed to engage our residents in a cognitively stimulating activity. These colorful stations feature a yellow sign that serves as an invitation and a reminder of what to do. Other things you might notice when you visit are dedicated secure outdoor courtyards, garden areas, and even community pets.
Portraits Highlights
- All residents in Memory Support
- Promotes independence
- Creates purpose and value for the residents within their community
- Personalized based upon resident life history and preferences
- Provides leisure and everyday life engagement activities
- Creates an enriched quality of life by showing residents how to be active participants in their own lives, no matter where they are in the disease process.
