The Kensington White Plains is honored to partner with Patti Davis, daughter of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan, for an intimate discussion about her experiences as her father’s caregiver.
In an hour-long Zoom event on Sept. 22, Patti Davis will share helpful advice tailored specifically for overworked caregivers.
Read on to hear more about the discussion with Patti Davis, as well as The Kensington White Plains’ devotion to providing expert assisted living and memory care for our community.
Who is Patti Davis, and how will her Alzheimer’s caregiver journey inspire families and fellow caregivers?
Patti Davis is known for her work as an actress, author, activist, and Alzheimer’s advocate.
She is also the daughter of former President Ronald Reagan, who announced in 1994 that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
After his diagnosis, Patti Davis stepped up to care for her father. The life-changing experience brought them closer, and inspired Patti Davis to pen two books, “Floating in the Deep End: How Caregivers Can See Beyond Alzheimer’s,” and “The Long Goodbye: Memories of My Father”
The experience also led her to begin a support group, Beyond Alzheimer’s, for caregivers and family members of those with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
“During the ten years that my father was disappearing into Alzheimer’s, I rarely — if ever — was asked how I was doing” Patti Davis wrote on the Beyond Alzheimer’s website.
She said she gradually realized that others in the same situation also felt isolated and alone, with no one ever inquiring about their emotional health.
What will Patti Davis discuss with The Kensington White Plains community?
Patti Davis will share an honest dialogue with The Kensington community on her father’s disease, her journey as caregivers, and how their relationships evolved over time.
The Kensington White Plains is proud to present Patti Davis’ story because we feel it will resonate deeply with many members of our community.
Our team understands that memory loss is life-changing for all involved. We also understand the progression of Alzheimer’s and dementia, and we continually seek ways to capitalize on resident’s strengths.
The Kensington team helps residents and families find ways to enjoy the beauty of special times, even if they come in fleeting moments.
How The Kensington White Plains supports caregivers in all stages of their journey
The Kensington White Plains is dedicated to keeping families close, because we know how essential it is to maintain cherished routines and daily comforts.
Our Promise is to love and care for your family as we do our own, and we live out this promise in every aspect of our care.
We welcome all members of our residents’ families into our community for frequent visits. We even welcome beloved family pets.
We will work endlessly to find or create ways to help residents feel as comfortable, secure, happy, and dignified as possible based on their unique interests and preferences.
To help create these secure relationships rooted in trust, each resident has their own primary care manager. We also have a Family Services Director and life coach on staff for residents and their families.
We offer numerous events and programs for caregivers to keep families involved and to share resources, tips, and advice, including a monthly virtual Caregiver Connect event and our Kensington Konnect hub of informative and entertaining resources.
How the decision to move to a memory care community benefits both caregivers and their loved ones
The Kensington team understands that the move to a memory care community can be stressful for both our senior loved ones and their families.
That’s why we aim to make the transition as simple and stress-free as possible. We will be with you every step of the way, supporting you from our initial conversations to move-in day and every following day.
Choosing to move your loved one to a specialized memory care community does not mean you and your family have failed as caregivers. Instead, it means you have recognized that your loved one needs additional care that you are unable to provide.
Moving your loved one to a community is the most loving step you can take, in order to get them the care they need while also allowing yourself the chance to simply reclaim your role as a family member and enjoy time with your loved one once again.
The Kensington White Plains is your family’s true partner in care
Patti Davis wrote in her memoir, “Floating in the Deep End,” that her father was often detached and unavailable while she was growing up, but she was able to “rediscover her father’s spirit” during his struggle with Alzheimer’s.
The Kensington White Plains team understands Patti Davis’ discovery, as we have witnessed our residents and their families experiencing many beautiful moments together following their diagnosis.
We will support you as you make these discoveries as a family, while we take care of everything else.
The Kensington White Plains offers the following services and amenities:
- Advanced care, including for those on intermittent feeding tubes, IV’s, those who require wound care, oxygen, catheters, and much more
- Onsite physician’s office
- Onsite licensed nurses 24 hours a day, seven days a week
- Medical care coordination, including transportation
- Partnership with HealthPRO Heritage for rehabilitation services, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy
- Full calendar of life enrichment activities
- Robo-pet therapy program to decrease anxiety and increase interaction
- Two customized memory care “neighborhoods” to match the appropriate level of care needed
- Five suite plans to choose from
- Gourmet dining customized for resident needs
The Kensington White Plains provides true “aging in place,” where no matter how your loved one’s care needs change over time, they will always have a home with us.
RSVP for the event with Patti Davis here. If you’re interested in learning more about the event, our caregiver resources, or in scheduling a visit at our community, please contact us today to experience our higher level of personal, loving care.