Mount Pleasant Magazine May/June 2024

81 www.ReadMPM.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.MountPleasantPodcast.com At Mount Pleasant Gardens, the mission is to enhance and enrich the lives of individuals living with dementia through a loving and person-centered approach to memory care. As Denise Kish, executive director of the facility, said, “We believe that individuals living with dementia deserve to live a life that is full of joy, purpose, and dignity. And our goal is to provide a safe, loving, and supportive environment that promotes physical, spiritual, emotional, and mental health.” Kish added that this mission is achieved in part by involving residents in activities such as flower arranging, socializing at dinner, tap dancing, practicing yoga, joining the walking club, and singing songs. Additionally, individuals retain competence for as long as possible by building cognitive skills such as working with words, numbers, history, science, and helping with chores such as sorting or folding laundry. “Early preparation is key,” Kish said. “Because dementia can work on the brain for years without warning, it is important to come by and take a tour of Mount Pleasant Gardens as soon as a loved one starts to display signs such as forgetting to take medications; not showering; not sleeping; falling more; wandering away and getting lost; conversation becomes difficult, eating and dining behavior requires additional support; experiencing higher levels of anxiety, or hallucinating. By visiting our beautiful facilities and learning what our memory care program offers, you as the caregiver will be empowered and equipped with helpful knowledge and resources that will be necessary for helping your family member make the transition when the time comes.” With such high-level care, it’s no wonder that Mount Pleasant Gardens, lovingly guided by Kish, along with community resource director Leanne Lovin, resident care manager Renee Snipe, director of nursing Judi Annunzia, as well as aides, med techs, and on-site nurses, has earned the Best of Mount Pleasant award an impressive five years in a row. That’s because, as Kish said, “We are a village that supports each other. Our work brings our staff as much joy as we aspire to bring our residents. And we couldn’t do that without each other.” For more information, visit gardensmemorycare.com or call 843-216-1001. BY SARAH ROSE Minding Your Health Mount Pleasant Gardens senior living A Stand-Alone Memory Care Community. Come see what makes us different! Serving those with dementia and other related conditions. Mount Pleasant Gardens is committed to being the leader in providing quality personal services for our residents and their families while honoring the experience of aging. 843.216.1001 1025 Hungryneck Blvd., Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464 GardensMemoryCare.com Call for a Tour, Today! 2024 ®

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