Although yesterday may not be remembered, today can still be enjoyed…
Courtesy Garden Terrace at Overland Park, Johnson County LIVING WELL Magazine
When it comes to the care of those affected with dementia, Garden Terrace at Overland Park is the place to be. Garden Terrace is a five-star facility 100% dedicated to the care of those with dementia. With the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and related dementia increasing at an alarming rate, it is a benefit to the community to have a strong nursing facility to care for those patients.
Garden Terrace is the only facility in Kansas that has an on-site medical director, Dr. Bruce Hodges, on staff five days a week. Hodges has been with Garden Terrace for 20 years, and is very knowledgeable about our residents’ needs.
Director of Nursing, Deronda Rinas has also been with Garden Terrace for 20 years. It is because of her strong lead and knowledge base that we have a caring and strong nursing staff who is there for our residents 24 hours a day.
Garden Terrace consists of eight different units, all of which are unique and require different care levels. With this, Garden Terrace is able to care for those individuals that are high-functioning as well as those individuals suffering from late stages of the disease. With these eight units, our residents are able to transition throughout the building as their care needs evolve.
The care and safety of Garden Terrace’s residents is top priority. However, Garden Terrace is also considered quite the entertainment spot. With four board certified music therapists on staff, music is consistently streaming throughout our building. Whether it’s music and dining, one-on-one music sessions, or a 20-piece swing band that performs every Wednesday, Garden Terrace is the location for many wonderful activities. A horticulture therapist is on staff to tend to the three secure courtyards and to receive help with watering plants and planting flowers from one of our residents. Of course there is plenty of time to relax on a warm day and just enjoy the scenery. An art therapist is also on staff and always has a fun new project where the residents can help.
Garden Terrace has a very energetic and astute therapy department for both short-term, rehab-to-home as well as long-term stays. With speech, occupational and physical therapists on staff, our residents are able to increase their strength for a more enjoyable quality of life.
Evelyn Anderson, a Garden Terrace staff member, has recently been awarded the best speech therapist of the year. This accomplishment did not surprise the staff at Garden Terrace, because she is excellent and successful with our residents on a daily basis.
Since Garden Terrace cares solely for those affected with dementia, our team is excellent in approaching the residents for therapy as well as maintaining a calm manner to help with their success in the program. Their knowledge base enables the clients to continue improving until they are at their highest level of functioning. It takes special direction and explanations for those with dementia to improve in therapy, and Garden Terrace has what it takes.
The support of their family members is also of high importance at Garden Terrace. They hold a monthly support group and a support group for family and friends of those who have been diagnosed at a young age. A once-a-month, family-education class features educational information from community experts who help the staff as well as family and friends of a loved one with dementia stay on top of the latest findings and trends in the disease.
All in all, if you are a loved one, friend or caretaker of someone with dementia, feel free to stop in for a tour of Garden Terrace. You will be happy you did. Feel free to contact Ann Terrell, director of admissions or Kim Steakle, community relations director anytime to set up a tour or ask questions.
Garden Terrace at Overland Park is located at 7541 Switzer Road. You may reach us at 913-631-2273 or via email at Ann_Terrell@ lcca.com or Kimberly_Steakle@lcca.com.
