The Memory Box

As I walk down the halls of Silverado Senior Living, "memory boxes" - lovely cabinets filled with memorabilia of many lives and many special people surround me. These "memory boxes" are more that just decorations to fill our wide hallways. They are an opportunity to celebrate the human spirit and to rejoice in accomplishment and success.

As I look around my own home, I see evidence of my family and their accomplishments all around me. I see family pictures, and trinkets that trigger memories of happy times we've had together. I see soccer trophies, gymnastics ribbons, and pictures from the senior prom. I see souvenirs from our last vacation together. And as I linger over these treasures I can picture special moments in my mind that remind me of the things that are important to me in my life. And I celebrate, in my heart, the people and the moments captured there.

The same is true of our residents at Silverado Senior Living. Although suffering from memory impairment, the treasures placed in their memory boxes hold a special place for the happy times in their lives. They may not remember all that these things represent, but with the assistance of loving friends and caregivers they can relive the special moments of their lives and reminisce about the achievements and triumphs of many years of living.

But that's not all we do with the "memory boxes" at Silverado. They are also a reminder to our caregivers and dedicated staff, that the people here are not just a number or a name or a face in a crowd. Our residents dignified, respected, successful individuals with lives, accomplishments and families. The memory boxes help us see our residents through the eyes of loving families and friends and help us know them without the debilitating effects of dementia. They help us honor, celebrate and truly connect with care about the people we care for. What a wonderful way to share the human spirit in all of us.