Memory Care Services in Michigan

A diagnosis of dementia, whether it’s Alzheimer’s or another memory-related illness, requires a delicate balance of comprehensive care, personalized attention and dynamic flexibility. With the proper information and support, memory loss can be managed gracefully for everyone.

Wellspring Lutheran Services comes alongside you as you navigate the need for memory support, creating a tailored plan that nurtures and supports your loved one, while also supporting the needs of the family.

Our memory care facility in Saginaw, Michigan is specifically designed to comfort and reinforce the familiar for residents, encourage engagement and connection, and emphasize strengths and abilities. Our dedicated staff is also specially trained to understand and respond to the nuances of dementia, so they can deliver the comfort and care your loved one needs — all with the understanding their diagnosis requires.

At Wellspring Lutheran Services, your loved one will be treated with compassion, empathy and dignity.

Wellspring's Memory Care Locations

Wellspring – Senior Living Campus

Saginaw, MI

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When to Consider Memory Care

There is no one right time to pursue memory care, and a loved one never has to meet certain requirements to receive support. The transition to memory care looks different for everyone, but it’s likely time to pursue memory care support for your loved one if:

They have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, dementia or another form of memory loss.
Disorientation and confusion are placing them or others at risk.
They’re forgetting to do things that impact their health and wellness, like eating, drinking, taking medications and/or maintaining their personal hygiene.
They’re wandering off, getting lost or forgetting how they got somewhere or how to get back.
Their home environment is deteriorating or no longer safe.

Benefits of Memory Care at Wellspring

When you choose Wellspring for memory care, your loved one will experience many benefits, including:

Safety and support: Your loved one will be in a secure environment that is staffed 24-hours a day. They’ll have around-the-clock support, and you’ll have peace of mind.
Engagement and stimulation: From exercise and devotions to music therapy and games, activities are strategically selected to promote familiarity, purpose and enrichment.
Reduced frustration: Leveraging their specialized training, our staff anticipates needs and uses effective techniques to help relieve the distress and frustration common with memory loss.
Focus on what’s possible: We build on your loved one’s abilities and what is present, and help you focus on the same.
Specialized dining: Three delicious meals provided daily and customized to unique dietary needs, served to encourage socialization.

Wellspring's Approach to Memory Care

At Wellspring, we use the Best Friends Approach for our memory care services. This model recognizes the importance relationships play in memory care and seeks to bond a person with dementia and their caregiver. To do this, the essential elements of friendship – respect, empathy, support, trust, and humor – are emphasized.

Our experienced staff are trained in the Best Friends Approach to care. They work individually with residents to learn their life stories and become Best Friends with our residents. They know how to emphasize strengths and abilities, encourage residents to participate in meaningful and fun activities, and spend days together that are positive, upbeat and life-affirming.

Benefits & Components of the Best Friends Approach

According to experts, The Best Friends Approach helps diminish the sense of pain and loss caused by dementia, and allows for more dignity and ease in one’s life and care. It focuses on seven primary components for taking on the role of a Best Friend to someone with memory loss. These include:

Friends Know Each Other’s Personality and History. A Best Friend becomes the person’s memory, is sensitive to traditions and respects their personality, moods and problem-solving style.
Friends Do Things Together. A Best Friend enjoys activities with the person with memory loss, involves the person in activities and chores, initiates activities, encourages the simple things in life and celebrates special occasions.
Friends Communicate. A Best Friend listens skillfully, fills in the blanks, asks easy questions and encourages participation in conversations.
Friendship Builds Self-Esteem. A Best Friend gives compliments often, carefully asks for advice or opinions and always offers encouragement and congratulations.
Friends Laugh Together Often. A Best Friend tells jokes and funny stories, is spontaneously fun, and laughs alongside their loved one.
Friends Are Equals. A Best Friend doesn't talk down to people or assume a supervisory role, but instead works to help the person "save face" and knows that learning is a two-way street.
Friends Work at the Relationship. A Best Friend is not overly sensitive, does more than half the work, builds a trusting relationship and shows affection often.

The Best Friends Approach allows for the makings of a win-win situation. When behavior is better, there is less frustration and it’s easier to spend more time together. We all feel better when we are with our best friends.

Approach to Memory Care

Adella’s Memory Care Story

Adella receives memory support at Wellspring Lutheran Services Senior Living Campus in Saginaw. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2012. Listen as her daughter Marianne shares the story from what it was like as a caregiver to the relief she feels now that her mother is receiving the care she needs.

Memory Care FAQs

How much does memory care cost at Wellspring Lutheran Services?

Memory care is priced at one specific rate at our Senior Living Campus in Saginaw, Michigan. For assisted living, the memory care rate varies based on the level of care plan needs. For an estimate, contact us or make an appointment to visit one of our memory care facilities.

What is the difference between assisted living and memory care?

Memory care revolves closely around a senior’s memory loss, with activities and engagement specifically tailored to promote familiarity and enrichment. Conversely, Wellspring’s assisted living services have a more general focus on supporting seniors who struggle with daily living activities at home or on their own.

Are there any alternatives to memory care for my loved one?

Memory loss often requires a certain level of consistent care that is difficult to address at home. Depending on the level of support your loved one requires, however, Wellspring offers private duty caregivers who can come to your home and short-term respite care. Whether it’s a few days, one week, or one month, our team is here to offer support as you determine the best type of care to meet your loved one’s ever-changing needs.

Considering Memory Care?

If you’re ready to begin the journey of seeking memory care support for a loved one, reach out to our team at Wellspring. We’re here to help at every step in the process.