Bella Groves

It’s normal for family members of individuals living with dementia to have plenty of doubts when considering community placement. At Bella Groves, we work with these families on a daily basis and are proud to say that we also get to see the miracles which happen as a result of making this decision. Edda’s story is one of those, which her family has given us permission to share. If you are considering community placement and have questions, we can guarantee we have heard them before and are happy to help navigate this process with both you and your loved one. We encourage you to check out our website and schedule a tour today. 💜 Love > Dementia #bellagroves #alzheimers #dementia

“Small” business? This small dementia support community has made it into your feed, and maybe for some, it isn’t our first time. Small efforts repeated again and again become powerful habits. Small habits become community norms. New norms can change perceptions. If we change perceptions of dementia, we have an impact far greater than our own reach. We start ripples. We are having a BIG impact in our local community. Our families have richer experiences. Our team members have better work experiences. Our community has better opportunities to help their own members. Independently owned senior care communities can have a great impact. To our fellow “small” businesses in this industry “we believe in you!” Love > Dementia 💜 #dementiacare #smallbusiness #seniorliving #assistedliving #memorycare #independentlyowned

You may be following our story about our #firefighting resident at Bella Groves. Here are some photos sent over to us from Lt. B. Sutton of the Bulverde Spring Branch Fire Department. He has taken a personal interest and care in supporting our resident. You know that scene that happens with every father and his young son where they’re in the backyard and the little boy is pretending that their garden hose is, in fact, a fire hose? The father says, “good job son. You’re doing great!” Today, that son looked proudly at his dad. Despite the challenges brought on by dementia, his story is not a tragedy. He has a “job” at the fire department thanks to our friends next door and our mission to change perceptions about dementia. Today the son got to say, “good job, dad. YOU are doing great!” #fatherandson #firedepartment #dementiaawareness #rethinkdementia #bellagroves #youngonsetdementia

Often times a person living with dementia has an urge to “go home”. Most care communities would try to “redirect” this and effectively try to convince them toward a different focus. In most cases, we simply assist them with their aim. We’re on THEIR side. “I’ve got to get work,” one resident said. “I’m just our here enjoying the nice weather,” the other resident responded. It’s a very calm scene compared to how it typically plays out in care homes who simply try “redirection”. In the second picture, you’ll see the full context of our care team supporting a natural response and person-centered approach of orienting to their reality rather than trying to convince them of ours. #dementia #personcenteredcare #alzheimersawareness #memorycare

This is our first year to join the “Walk to End Alzheimer’s” event, and we hope you can support us. Limited edition Bella Groves t-shirts are available for purchase. The art piece on the front of the shirt was designed by one of our very own residents! Each year, we’ll design a new shirt with resident art. The shirt costs $30.28 and shipping will likely run $8-$10 to get it to your home from our local community. Therefore, we asking for a minimum donation of $75. The balance after cost will be added to our team’s fundraising goal of $2,000. Please DM James Lee if you’d like to contribute and receive a special edition Bella Groves t-shirt! #dementia #alzheimers #assistedliving

Meet Ariel! She recently joined the Bella Groves team, and like every employee in our organization she is working through a 13-week dementia training program we developed. We have structured our business to allow our amazing care team members to shine. Our 1 to 4 staffing ratio means that caregivers have time to support residents and spend quality time with them every day. [It fosters trust building because caregivers aren’t rushed from one care task to another all day.] Our 13-week training provides in-depth training and practice at the core skills we all demonstrate each day. [Consistent approach by EACH team member reinforces feelings of safety and continuity.] Our dedicated work in the greater community of Bulverde and Spring Branch (Texas) continuously cultivates partners and dementia-friendly organizations to support our mission. [We have ample resources and opportunities for residents to engage in public spaces and stay involved in our community.] ————————- Our resident was wanting to go to a woodworking shop that he has enjoyed going to, but they were closed at the time. Ariel had the idea to bring some pieces of wood or wooden furniture for our resident to paint or restore. Our executive director, Laura, recalled that her husband was going to a furniture store. We were surprised to see him arrive at Bella Groves shortly after with a beautiful desk! He let us know that the owner for the furniture store heard our story, and he was so moved by it because his own parent had Alzheimer’s. Without a second thought, the business owner simply decided to GIVE the desk to us. In fact, he said we should come by regularly and he would like to donate other pieces to our residents. SO many people are involved in creating this beautiful story. It was all sparked by a care team member. We provide the opportunity to learn about dementia, and you know what THEY do? They create Art. Story. Community. 💜 #seniorliving #dementia #assistedliving #smallbusiness

One of the core components of our dementia support methodology is to “orient to their reality.” This is a common practice from dementia experts to go with the flow rather than “remind” them of our reality. One of our residents has recently had a strong belief that he wants to get a job at the fire station (our neighbors across from our home). You know what these extraordinary firefighters did? They treated him with sincere respect and talked to him about volunteer opportunities. The lieutenant of one of their shifts personally met with him and asked our resident if he could help out during their shifts. On a separate day, two other guys gave our resident a tour of the truck and where their equipment is all kept. Our team worked with the lieutenant to develop a “work schedule”. We created a calendar with a fire truck logo on his work days and posted it in his apartment. Our care team will mark off days to help him orient to the days. He will help sweep, clean, and do other preparation-work that is safe and supervised. The most important thing here is that our resident has an authentic sense of pride, anticipation, and purpose. This is a beautiful example of what a dementia friendly society could look like. We are SO grateful to these wonderful individuals at the Bulverde Spring Branch Fire & EMS for this incredibly generous and empathetic service. 💜 🚒 #dementiafriendly #dementia #seniorliving #bellagroves

Caregivers who work in dementia care ultimately do it for ONE reason. They want to know that their time shared with others creates moments of JOY. Therefore, a dementia care organization exists for one purpose - to give caregivers a platform from which they can enact THEIR purpose. The truth is, Bella Groves didn’t write a mission statement so much as we brought people together who already have a shared mission. “Creating a more joyful community for families impacted by dementia.” It’s simplicity IS its audacity. We are so grateful to have a place where the scene below is welcomed, cherished, and supported with all our capabilities. #seniorliving #memorycare #dementia #alzheimers #assistedliving

A person living with dementia wants to care for OTHERS far more than they want to be cared for themselves. Watch two people with dementia interact with one another in an environment where they both feel safe and understood. It is a beautifully human condition that we should create bonds and strive toward relationships even if cognitive changes alter a person’s speech, memory, or hearing. Even in the fog of dementia, the silver lining is ever present that if our minds should falter our hearts can shine more brightly; if only others could see past a story of tragedy of what is diminished and instead uncover the drama of what humans will do with what remains. Love is a habit not easily broken. It is untethered to memories. Words need not be spoken when a caring hug will do. Understanding speech is less important than understanding need. “The greatest hunger of the human soul is to be understood.” It doesn’t have to be a long goodbye. Perhaps it is a second hello. The world seems content and committed to seeing loss, but the loss is ours if we can’t see what is plainly and utterly true. Love is greater than dementia.

Our co-founder and CEO, James Lee, sharing some 🔥 about what it means to be a true care partner for those living with dementia. 💜 > #dementia