Firsthand Understanding, First-Class Memory Care in Tucson
We've Navigated Memory Loss, Too.
Pegasus Senior Living’s Connections program is a unique, research-based memory care program designed to help senior residents with Alzheimer’s and/or dementia in the Tucson area lead a stimulating life. The program offers a secure environment, a committed and caring team, and a variety of activities designed to fit the unique needs of those living with cognitive decline.
We understand the time, effort, and emotional toll that caregiving can take on a family. If you’re wondering whether your loved one’s care needs are beyond your abilities, Tucson Place at Ventana Canyon may be able to help through memory care in Tucson.
How We Provide Dementia Care | Tucson, AZ
Our memory care neighborhood is where residents who have Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia thrive.
We provide the medical services necessary such as dressing/bathing/dining/grooming assistance, medication management, and more while also providing opportunities through our Connections program to enhance residents’ lifestyles. Tucson Place at Ventana Canyon’s neighborhood for memory care in Tucson provides comfort with 24-hour certified team members always on-site.
Connections: Supporting Memory Care Family Members
Alzheimer’s and dementia do not only affect memory care residents. Family members’ lives are also impacted, and the Connections program is here to offer support. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed by caregiving responsibilities or struggling to cope with changes in your loved one, our program provides a range of resources designed to help you navigate this journey with compassion and understanding.
- Monthly support groups: Connect with others impacted by dementia and learn how to cope with the challenges through facilitated support groups in partnership with local senior living professionals and hospice providers.
- Educational resources: Access information about dementia, including symptoms, treatment options, and care strategies, through educational resources such as articles, videos, and webinars.
- Family involvement: Involve families in resident care and planning through regular care conferences. Family members can share their thoughts and concerns and work collaboratively with care staff.
- Family events: Participate in special celebrations that provide opportunities for residents and their loved ones to engage in joyful, meaningful activities that instill purpose.
- Caregiver training: Connections team members receive ongoing training from Dr. Petersen and other accredited sources to provide top-rated care, activities, and family communication.
- Sensory stimulation: We engage residents in sensory stimulation activities, such as music and art therapy, that can promote well-being and emotional expression. Our partnership with Dementia Live® offers the experience of cognitive impairment to family members.
- Pet therapy: Residents participate in pet therapy programs, which have been shown to reduce stress and improve socialization among dementia patients. We welcome family pets in visiting areas with prior approval.
Connect - Move - Learn
The Connect, Move, Learn sequence is how our memory care community promotes neuroplasticity. The brain can continue producing healthy brain cells despite memory loss. Discover how staying engaged socially, physically, and mentally helps residents find their daily purpose.
Programming that
Makes a Difference
Engaging the Emotions in Tucson Dementia Care
Connections can help your loved one stay engaged with:
- Aromatherapy to decrease agitation
- SingFit, a program shown to elevate mood and improve speech through singing classic songs
- The hobbies your loved one has always enjoyed like painting, drawing, and crafts
Encouraging Movement
The connection between the mind and body is well-established in scientific research, and the Connections program encourages physical activity to maximize quality of life through dementia care. Tucson, AZ residents under careful supervision can participate in boxing, walking clubs, and other fitness programs to help them achieve an active body and mind.
Challenging the Brain
Activities designed for brain stimulation include:
- Word games
- Reminiscence therapy
- Book club
- Story time
We also provide a variety of brain-healthy foods for the residents.
Supporting Socialization
Research shows that socialization with others is critical to the maintenance of mental health and cognition. The process of regular interaction with others can help seniors achieve a better sense of belonging and provide a sense of structure. We provide a variety of group activities that allow Tucson dementia care residents to foster relationships and connect to others.
Research-Backed Music Therapy for Dementia
Dr. Petersen is the memory care expert who inspires our program. We also partner with evidence-based programs like SingFit. This activity helps promote brain plasticity. We offer music therapy to ignite memories, encourage movement, and unite residents.
Inspired by Experience
Medical Director Dr. Sandra Petersen’s background in the memory care field goes back over 30 years, but it was her own experience that inspired the novel approach of the Connections program.
Over a decade ago, a stroke left her unable to use the left side of her body and connect with language skills; she even had trouble completing a sentence.
“The whole experience gave me not only sympathy, but empathy for those that struggle with cognitive decline,” says Dr. Petersen.
With the help of a brain health specialist, she worked her way back through a variety of techniques designed to rebuild neural pathways, including learning Spanish and ballroom dancing.
Watch to Learn More about Dr. Petersen's Story
“I wondered whether the same principles that helped me, like connecting through emotion, moving, and learning new information, could work to stimulate the brain of someone with cognitive impairment.”
Dr. Petersen
Connections Explained: A Comforting Home
Moving to assisted living or memory care can be difficult for older adults. Our program is working to remove the fear of the unknown and welcome residents home to independence. Senior care has been a personal and professional mission for Dr. Sandra Petersen for over three decades. Her practice focuses on neuroscience and the transformative power of rewiring the brain despite Alzheimer’s and dementia.
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