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in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, Ju ly 14 ,2 02 2 | 16 Interlocking & Concrete Specialists Call Mario 905.842.7171 sunmarlandscape.com ™ La n d s c a p in g 3133 Burnhamthorpe Rd W, Milton, On L9E 0J7 • Pebble Concrete • Stamped Concrete • Interlocking • Flagstone • Walkways • Garage Floors • Patios • Driveways • Curbs (French) Interlocking & Concrete Specialists Communities we serve: Located in Halton region, we work in and around • Milton • Campbellville • Burlington • Aldershot • Hamilton • Oakville • Mississauga • Waterdown • Carlisle Memory & Company, a facility that provides short- and long-term mem- ory care support, as well as a day program for those with dementia, has opened in Oakville. Located on Iroquois Shore Road, Memory & Company is a respite hotel and premium day program with 24-7 nursing care, high staffing ratios and programs and activities in- cluding cognitive and phys- ical fitness, music and art therapy. "Brain health is so im- portant. Caring for people living with dementia by keeping them active, so- cial, and mentally engaged is the key to slowing de- mentia progression," said Ashley Kwong, who along with husband Victor, founded Memory & Com- pany, Respite Hotels and Premium Day Programs. "Memory care isn't part of what we do, it is what we do." Memory & Company is designed differently than many retirement homes where the emphasis is on common space and studio suites, rather than apart- ment style living, said CEO Kwong. Those who use the facil- ity, whether they visit oc- casionally or remain for longer periods, are re- ferred to as members. "We discourage our members from spending the days in their suites. In- stead, we encourage them to participate in our seam- less programs and activi- ties that are provided all day long. This keeps them active both physically and mentally, and really helps with sleep and moods." Motion sensors in every room allow staff to know when a member is awake so they can be assisted with their personal needs, she added. "We also design the envi- ronment circular as people with dementia tend to wan- der or pace and it gives them space to do so without reaching dead ends, which can cause agitation. We are also secure, so it is a safe place without the fear of getting lost." High contrasting col- ours are used as people with dementia also live with depth perception is- sues, said Kwong. "We also use a lot of nat- ural light throughout our space with floor-to-ceiling windows, and 40-plus sky- lights throughout the building. This helps with sleep, wake cycles and im- proves mood." Kwong has been work- ing in the senior care in- dustry since she was a 16- year-old student on a co-op placement. She was in se- nior management at Sun- rise Senior Living, working as department co-ordina- tor of the Alzheimer's dis- ease and related dementias neighbourhood and then as executive director. Kwong has dreamed of opening her own care home for seniors since her co-op placement. "I felt I could truly make a difference. Through my experiences, I saw a signif- icant number of burnt-out caregivers. Caregiving for people living with demen- tia is one of the hardest jobs there is. It takes a lot of sup- port to care for someone with advancing memory loss." Families often try to take on too much them- selves and burn out, which can lead to premature in- stitutionalization for the person living with demen- tia, she said. "Often families who get breaks when they need them, whether just a day, weekend, month or some- thing longer term, they can continue to be healthy and happy caregivers, and can continue to support their loved ones in the communi- ty." Memory and Company's Markham location preced- ed the Oakville facility's opening in 2015. "We started off as only offering our Premium Day Program, and expanded our offering in 2018 based on member family feed- back. Families really loved our Premium Day Pro- gram, but some need more respite than the daytime. That's what motivated us to open our Respite Hotel." Interest in Memory and Company from west of To- ronto prompted the Oak- ville site. "Our family also moved to Oakville to open this lo- cation this past September and we are in love with this community," she said. RESPITE HOTEL OPENS FOR THOSE WITH DEMENTIA KATHY YANCHUS kyanchus@metroland.com BUSINESS Victor Kwong and his wife Ashley co-founded and own Memory & Company, a short and longterm respite 'hotel' for those with dementia. Graham Paine/Metroland MEMORY & COMPANY Location: 407 Iroquois Shore Rd. Unit 1 Contact: 905-888-8808 or email info@memoryandcompany.com. Right Choice{ }CarPlacePrice}e Find what you're looking for, in the location you want, for the price you want to pay! Catch a Great Deal! Browse our inventory of vehicles by Body Style, popular Makes and Models, Province, popular Cities or by Price. Whatever path you choose, you will find the right car, in the right location, for the right price!