Queen Anne Manor looks nothing like a nursing home, with its intricate brickwork, large windows and warm colors. However, within the facility there’s a unique place for people living with memory problems.
Prior to January of this year, Queen Anne had no memory-care facilities dedicated to people with dementia or Alzheimer’s. Since then Anna’s Garden(located at 100 Crockett Str.) was created as a separate division of Queen Anne Manor.
Named after Anna Clise, founder of Seattle Children’s Hospital, the facility opened in January of this year. It is focused primarily on dementia. The goal is to provide a safe, family-oriented home for residents who live with dementia challenges.
“The less medication the better,” said Director Mary Stebbins. “If they do need it (medication), it’s given in very small doses.”
Stebbins’ residents each have their own treatment plan, catering to individual needs. Stebbins’ philosophy regarding treatment for dementia patients is not to force the issue with someone who doesn’t remember who the caregiver is or even his or her own identity.
“Skilled nursing just doesn’t work,” said Stebbins. “A skill setting works well most of the time, but not in memory care.”
Stebbins’ treatment method relies heavily on creating a family-like setting. Often times the patients don’t remember who the aides are, recognize members of their family or know who is caring for them. It is important to spend time with them, according to Stebbins.
She encourages family members to be as involved in the treatment process as possible.
“It’s not like a facility,” said Stebbins. “It should be just like every other day when they’re at home.”
Medical technician Genesis Martinez has worked in both a skilled nursing facility and Anna’s Garden. She prefers the Garden because it is more comfortable and she believes there is more freedom to work with the patients.
“Movies, we see a lot of different types of movies,” said Martinez. “ Everyone in the department takes turns helping out.”
The movies often help when a patient is having a bad day. According to Stebbins, aides will play movies earlier in the day for patients who are having more symptoms of dementia than usual. She believes it’s extremely calming for the patients.
Marketing Director Matthew Long says Anna’s Garden is much like a home. The facility has a fireplace, television and wall-sized windows that look out onto residential Queen Anne. It also has a street-side garden that patients can hang out in.
“It has an organic, home-like feel to it,” said Long. “ You’re on the ground, trees overhead, great light, small setting, a very intuitive setting.”
The residents of Anna’s Garden are allowed to leave the facility with the aid of a staff member. Many of the patients walk and others go shopping. The latest activity for the patients was an excursion to the Seattle Aquarium. It was in celebration of Mother’s Day.
For more information on Anna’s Garden call 206-282-5001.
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