Brookfield Memory Care Owner Talks Dementia And Coronavirus

BROOKFIELD, WI—Vesta Memory Care in Brookfield was open less than a year when the pandemic caused a dramatic pause for local businesses. But administrator and owner Jayne Ziehm has been steadfast in her commitment to continuing to provide enhanced quality of life for people with dementia.

Ziehm described it as a "pretty unique community" and a premier provider of residential memory care services in the metropolitan Milwaukee area.

A physical therapist and clinician, Ziehm has dedicated many years of service to improving the quality of life for older adults. In her line of work, she has been in many different assisted living facilities and memory care units and witnessed the gaps in care.

"I always felt like there wasn't anything 'home-like' for individuals with dementia," she told Patch.

Vesta Memory Care is designed to feel like a home but incorporate the features that help those with dementia navigate their environment and be successful.

Ziehm used the example of having no thresholds in between rooms to avoid tripping hazards. There is a different style door for the bathrooms to keep residents safe from falling.

The big difference between a smaller place like Vesta and a larger facility is more personal interaction. Ziehm said the staff schedule allows caregivers to not only have time to help residents with daily tasks but also to get to know each other.

Ziehm gave the example of a resident who likes to get up very early and has a much better day if he is allowed to get an early start and another resident who likes to stay up late and sleep in. In a larger community, staff might have difficulty accommodating the various body clocks, she said.

"We are really able to customize solutions for our residents and their families. I think that is big," Ziehm told Patch.

Challenges during the pandemic

Due to the pandemic, Ziehm said many people are keeping their loved ones home a little bit longer.

"They might be in the position to do that especially if they are working from home," she said.

Another challenge is showcasing the brand new building to interested families. She said the virtual tours can only do so much and it doesn't provide the opportunity to get a feel or the vibe of the place.

Vesta has eight private suites which include a bedroom and half bathroom.

"Right now we are at 50% capacity. We had hoped prior to COVID we would be full," she said.

Ziehm added while the pandemic has caused some challenges, thankfully everyone has been healthy.

Vesta Memory Care residents have dementia who don't have the capability to always understand or remember what is happening. This is especially challenging during the pandemic, according to Ziehm.

"We are supposed to be keeping people apart from each other and wearing masks. It is really challenging to do but we have done a good job," she said.

Most importantly is the social component which includes visitors. Due to the pandemic, any non-medical personnel are not allowed inside the building, a hardship for residents used to seeing family members.

Ziehm said phone calls and Zoom meetings are incorporated as well as window and outside visits.

Little things mean a lot

It is important to find things a resident is successful at and keep a person's spirit alive with things that they enjoy, Ziehm said.

One resident thinks she works at Vesta or she is volunteering. On grocery delivery day, she can write the dates on the food. Another resident loves to tend to the garden.

"It sounds like a little thing, but it is very meaningful," she said.

A misconception of dementia is people assume the person is just losing their memory. Ziehm explained it is generally the more recent memories that residents have difficulty with.

"They still have the ability to remember things in detail, a lot of times, from long ago. That is a great way to connect with them," Ziehm said.

Ziehm said people with dementia may forget the name of someone in front of them, but they still remember the feeling associated with the person.