The Verandah Assisted Living & Memory Care

Discharge is usually a slower and more thoughtful process between the resident, his or her family, and our care planning team. When considering discharging a resident, most commonly for a higher level of care, the primary question we ask is, “Can we provide the care this person deserves?” When the answer is no, we’ll reach out to you and start the conversation. We’ll serve as a support system and advocate for you as you seek the right care in the Lake Charles area for your loved one. Likewise, if you ever wonder, “Can my loved one receive the care they need here?” then you can reach out to our memory care staff and initiate the conversation. The process is the same.

Yes. Familiar routines are a critical component of compassionate memory care. Your loved one’s routines from home will always be honored to the greatest extent possible, including: • The time they prefer to rise in the morning • The foods they like to eat • The days and times they prefer to bathe • The time they like to go to bed at night Other things we keep in mind are the ways and order in which The Verandah residents like to complete their normal daily tasks. We often find that over several decades of life, our Lake Charles residents become particular about how things are done, and we want to honor that.

Both memory care and in-home care can be highly effective solutions for the safety risks that accompany cognitive decline. Those who choose a memory care facility realize the following benefits compared to those who choose in-home care: • Memory care facilities must meet stringent guidelines in all aspects of care including nutrition, safety, management of medical conditions, cleanliness, staffing levels, and are surveyed frequently • Memory care communities are designed with resident safety in mind, which means slip-resistant flooring, handrails, larger bathrooms and bedrooms, and the removal of safety risks (like stoves). • Memory care communities are secure so your loved one is protected from the risks associated with wandering. • While Meals On Wheels can provide one meal per day for in-home residents who qualify, memory care residents receive three well-rounded meals and snacks every day. If you are looking to learn more about the benefits of memory care in the Lake Charles area, please Contact us today.

Each resident’s cognitive level, hobbies, and personal preferences are incorporated into their personal care plan and their one-on-one time with our caregiving and life enrichment teams. However, The Verandah residents are not grouped by cognitive level when it comes to group social and life enrichment activities. What this means is that our activity calendars are designed to provide a myriad of activities that are enjoyable for residents with a wide range of cognitive levels and physical ability. Your loved one can participate in the activities that he or she enjoys, either independently or with assistance. It is always our goal to do activities with our memory care residents, not for them, to give them a sense of purpose, enjoyment, and pride.

The Verandah memory care facility is designed to mimic home while reducing or eliminating the risk of injury that exists at home. This means that your loved one will have semi-private or private living quarters that consist of a warm, inviting bedroom and a spacious bathroom. Other central living areas are shared by the community and include relaxing sitting rooms, communal kitchens, and dining rooms secured outdoor living areas, and more. Life enrichment activities are hosted within our Lake Charles memory care community, too, and are designed to enrich your loved one’s life without posing a threat to their safety and security.

Yes. Outside care is welcomed as part of The Verandah memory care services. Coordination of care is a joint effort. The resident’s family member or Power of Attorney generally secures outside care services, working directly with the care provider to determine the scope, services, care plan, etc. and notifies our memory care community of the arrangement. Then, our staff works directly with the outside care provider to coordinate the care of your loved one within the community in Lake Charles, schedule appropriately, and communicate as needed for your loved one’s benefit and continuity of care. Communication – between The Verandah memory care staff, the outside service, and you – is key to successful collaboration.

We have clear policies that drive action in medical emergencies. All memory care facility staff is trained upon hire and through simulations throughout the year on how to respond in emergency situations. These policies are not one-size-fits-all and vary depending on the nature of the medical emergency, but key components that are consistent across the board include: • Taking measures to ensure the immediate safety of the resident • Alerting 911 promptly to prevent delays in life-saving care • Following the care plan and any advanced directives in place • Ensuring dignity and confidentiality to the extent possible • Notifying family members as soon as possible Our policies prioritize your loved one’s safety and access to advanced medical care in the Lake Charles area.

Yes. Every memory care resident who joins our Lake Charles community brings something new. Needs are driven by physical, mental, and emotional health; religious preference; medical history; personal history; family status; cultural identity; and more. For these reasons, our experienced memory care planning team works directly with the resident and their family to build a custom care plan focused on goal achievement. Common goals include fall prevention, blood pressure management, life enrichment, socialization, comfort, and maintaining independence. Changes in the care plan require family involvement, so you’ll always know what to expect and have a voice in the decisions concerning your loved one’s memory care plan.

Although we often use the word “secure,” a better word is “safe.” Secured memory care communities have a number of features that help your loved one stay safe including: • Higher staff to resident ratios. This means closer oversight, more dedicated and personal one-on-one time with each resident. • Fewer safety risks. Our communities are designed to accommodate the way residents with dementia and other age-related limitations think and act to prevent falls, burns, and other injuries (i.e., no stoves in personal suites and no stairs). • Secure and alarmed doors. If your loved one tries to leave the facility without accompaniment, staff are notified and can join them. We aim to ensure our secure memory care community in Lake Charles is just as warm and inviting as independent and assisted living communities.

Our trained and licensed staff (nurses and caregivers) supervise and provide the medications that the residents’ physicians prescribe. Our team is familiar with administering Alzheimer’s medications like Aricept (Donepezil), Razadyne (Galantamine), Namenda (Memantine), Exelon (Rivastigmine) and Namzaric (Memantine + Donepezil). However, our staff does not prescribe any medications to our residents.

Your loved one’s provider is responsible for ordering your loved one’s medications, while The Verandah’s memory care staff is responsible for medication administration and management. All medication administered to our residents is in compliance with all state laws and board regulations. Our licensed staff follows the written policies and procedures for safe and effective drug administration provided by medical professionals for the procurement, administration, storage, control, record keeping, and disposal of all medication. Memory care staff will administer the medications as ordered, monitor for side effects and efficacy, and reach out to your loved one’s primary care doctor if they feel any medication is not achieving the desired result. To learn more about medication for dementia or Alzheimer’s and how it is managed in The Verandah’s memory care program, please contact us for more information.

Memory care staff will administer the medications exactly as ordered by the resident’s medical provider and in accordance with applicable state and board regulations and standards. Our licensed staff will monitor for side effects and efficacy and reach out to your loved one’s primary care doctor if they feel any medication is not achieving the desired result. Please reach out to your medical provider if you have concerns regarding medication frequency and dosage.

The trained and licensed staff members at The Verandah ensure that they are not only familiar with our residents’ medications, such as Namenda, but also with our residents. In addition to being educated about Alzheimer’s medications and their side effects, The Verandah staff members get to know each of our residents and their needs. They are therefore able to quickly identify and respond to the side effects of medication. The Verandah is staffed 24/7 with caring, trained nurses and caregivers who are able to identify and assist residents when they are experiencing the side effects of medication.

All medications prescribed to our residents by their physicians are administered according to the exact instructions prescribed by the resident’s physician. The community’s staff ensures that they are familiar with each residents’ medications, including medications for other conditions other than Alzheimer’s. Our trained and licensed nurses and caregivers then administer each of the residents’ medications exactly as prescribed, taking into account the timing, dosage, and method of administration for each medication.

While in-home caregivers are able to administer medications and monitor your loved one’s safety and comfort, there is a distinct advantage to receiving Alzheimer’s medications like Razadyne at a memory care facility. Often, in-home caregivers are not with your loved one 24/7, leaving them without a licensed, trained caregiver during certain times of the day. Those times may include times when medication must be administered, leaving you or another family member or friend to manage it. In contrast, at The Verandah, our trained, talented staff is available 24/7 to assist your loved one. All medications are monitored and organized according to your loved one’s needs, and every dose is given by a licensed caregiver. In addition, should your loved one need medical assistance, they are already in a community that has medical and safety procedures in place to ensure that your loved one receives assistance as quickly as possible.

We have temporarily changed our policies relating to visitors and how we conduct our activities and dining programs. Please see the new and specific temporary changes as they relate to this community by clicking here.

Yes. The health and safety of Sunshine’s residents and employees are our top priority. As such, The Verandah Assisted Living and Memory Care has partnered with Vikor Scientific to allow us to test our residents and employees with their Respira-ID™ test kits. We will test under the following scenarios: (i) new residents moving in; (ii) residents coming back from a hospital visit; (iii) residents with COVID-19 symptoms; as well as (iv) staff showing COVID-19 symptoms.

Yes, new residents are accepted into the community after undergoing an extensive screening and providing a negative test result, either through state-administered COVID testing or through Vikor Scientific Respira-ID testing administered directly at The Verandah Assisted Living and Memory Care.

We ask that families limit the number of persons assisting in the physical moving of the new resident’s belonging in order to protect the resident population and staff. A move-in coordinator will assist you by setting up a time in which to bring your loved one into the community and make them comfortable in their new home. We will provide daily check-ins with you on your loved one’s process and facilitate video conferencing calls so that you may continue to visit with them one-on-one while ensuring that their safety and the health of the resident population and staff is not put at risk.

In addition to temporarily changing our visitor policy in order to reduce foot traffic within the community, staff are required to wear personal protective gear including facemasks and gloves.

Per CDC and local health regulatory agency guidelines, we are restricting visitations in our community except where required for medical care or by limited pre-approval by the community Executive Director in order to protect our residents who are vulnerable to due to age and other medical conditions. We are working with families and staff members to facilitate meaningful one-on-one or family group calls with their loved ones via video messaging platforms. To schedule a video call with your loved one in our community, please call (337) 313-0162.

We are following state and federal guidelines for physical distancing and will resume normal community visitation policies as soon as the guidelines recommend us doing so. We appreciate your understanding during this time as we work together to protect our residents and staff.

We have temporarily changed our policies relating to visitors and how we conduct our activities and dining programs. Please see the new and specific temporary changes as they relate to this community by clicking here.

Yes. The health and safety of Sunshine’s residents and employees are our top priority. As such, The Verandah has partnered with Vikor Scientific to allow us to test our residents and employees with their Respira-ID™ test kits. We will test under the following scenarios: (i) new residents moving in; (ii) residents coming back from a hospital visit; (iii) residents with COVID-19 symptoms; as well as (iv) staff showing COVID-19 symptoms.

Yes, new residents are accepted into the community after undergoing an extensive screening and providing a negative test result, either through state-administered COVID testing or through Vikor Scientific Respira-ID testing administered directly at The Verandah.

We ask that families limit the number of persons assisting in the physical moving of the new resident’s belonging in order to protect the resident population and staff. A move-in coordinator will assist you by setting up a time in which to bring your loved one into the community and make them comfortable in their new home. We will provide daily check-ins with you on your loved one’s process and facilitate video conferencing calls so that you may continue to visit with them one-on-one while ensuring that their safety and the health of the resident population and staff is not put at risk.

In addition to temporarily changing our visitor policy in order to reduce foot traffic within the community, staff are required to wear personal protective gear including facemasks and gloves.

Per CDC and local health regulatory agency guidelines, we are restricting visitations in our community except where required for medical care or by limited pre-approval by the community Executive Director in order to protect our residents who are vulnerable to due to age and other medical conditions. We are working with families and staff members to facilitate meaningful one-on-one or family group calls with their loved ones via video messaging platforms. To schedule a video call with your loved one in our community, please call (337) 313-0162.

We are following state and federal guidelines for physical distancing and will resume normal community visitation policies as soon as the guidelines recommend us doing so. We appreciate your understanding during this time as we work together to protect our residents and staff.

Yes, our community is equipped with VR tools that are research-proven to help decrease anxiety and help stimulate memories. In VR, your loved one can attend metropolitan concerts from the front row, walk on a sandy beach to recall long-lost memories of a family vacation, or explore other adventures specifically cultivated for seniors. Learn more here

Dementia is a broad term that describes a group of illnesses that all cause cognitive decline such forgetfulness, problems with communication, difficulty following directions, etc. Binswanger’s Disease, also known as white matter disease or cortical vascular dementia, is caused by blockage in the blood vessels that supply the brain causing death of brain tissue in those areas. The most defining symptom of Binswanger’s disease is the slowing of psychomotor skills. For example, a person may slow in the time it takes to turn the thought of a letter into the shape of a letter on a piece of paper. Binswanger’s disease is progressive and irreversible, but a healthy lifestyle including a balanced diet, medication management, and appropriate social interactions like those found at The Verandah Assisted Living and Memory Care in Lake Charles, Louisiana may help slow the progression.

Dementia is a broad term that describes a group of illnesses that all cause cognitive decline such forgetfulness, problems with communication, difficulty following directions, etc. Corticobasal degeneration, or CBD, in its later stages causes global impairment associated with dementia. CBD causes areas of the brain to shrink and nerve cells to degenerate and die over time. This disease typically impacts the area of the brain that processes information and controls movement. Defining symptoms may include difficulty controlling a limb (arm or leg) on one-side of the body; muscle stiffness; problems with balance, gait and speech; and memory problems. Corticobasal Degeneration is progressive and irreversible, however, the caring team at The Verandah Assisted Living and Memory Care in Lake Charles, Louisiana is trained in techniques to assist your loved one in navigating the challenges of this rare dementia.

Dementia is a broad term that describes a group of illnesses that all cause cognitive decline such forgetfulness, problems with communication, difficulty following directions, etc. If HIV spreads to the brain, it can cause encephalopathy which causes dementia. Encephalopathy associated with HIV is progressive and irreversible, however, it can be slowed or managed with antiretroviral therapy. The memory care team at The Verandah Assisted Living and Memory Care in Lake Charles, Louisiana is trained in techniques to assist your loved one in navigating the challenges of this rare dementia related to HIV.

Dementia is a broad term that describes a group of illnesses that all cause cognitive decline such forgetfulness, problems with communication, difficulty following directions, etc. Dementia in Multiple Sclerosis is rare, but cognitive dysfunction affects approximately 60% of people who live with MS for a long time. Symptoms associated with MS related dementia include impairment of attention, psychomotor functions and memory. The caring team at The Verandah Assisted Living and Memory Care in Lake Charles, Louisiana is trained in techniques to assist your loved one in navigating the challenges of this rare dementia and Multiple Sclerosis.

Dementia is a broad term that describes a group of illnesses that all cause cognitive decline such forgetfulness, problems with communication, difficulty following directions, etc. Vascular dementia can be caused by strokes, a heart attack, aneurism, or other circumstances that cause the brain to not receive adequate oxygen and blood for a period of time. While this disease is not reversible, a healthier lifestyle with a balanced diet, increased exercise, regimented medication management and social interactions may reduce the likelihood of another stroke or heart attack. The caring team at The Verandah Assisted Living and Memory Care in Lake Charles, Louisiana is trained in techniques to assist your loved one in navigating Vascular Dementia.

Dementia is a broad term that describes a group of illnesses that all cause cognitive decline such forgetfulness, problems with communication, difficulty following directions, etc. Lewy Body Dementia, or LBD, is one of the more common types of dementia. The symptoms may include changes in alertness and attention, hallucinations, problems with movement and posture, muscle stiffness and confusion. LBD is often misdiagnosed because the symptoms are similar to Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. While this disease is not reversible, a healthier lifestyle with a balanced diet, increased exercise, regimented medication management can help to manage the symptoms. The caring team at The Verandah Assisted Living and Memory Care in Lake Charles, Louisiana is trained in techniques to assist your loved one in navigating the challenges of Lewy Body Dementia.

Dementia is a broad term that describes a group of illnesses that all cause cognitive decline such forgetfulness, problems with communication, difficulty following directions, etc. Frontotemporal dementia, or FTD, was originally called Pick’s disease and falls into two categories: 1) changes in behavior; or, 2) problems with language. FTD with changes in behavior is characterized by behavior that can be either impulsive or bored and listless and includes inappropriate social behavior (lack of empathy; distractibility; loss of insight into self behaviors; an increased interest in sex; changes in food preferences; agitation or blunted emotions; neglect of personal hygiene; repetitive or compulsive behavior; and decreased energy and motivation). FTD with language disturbance is characterized by difficulty making or understanding speech, often in conjunction with the behavioral type’s symptoms. Memory usually remains intact. While this disease is not reversible, a healthier lifestyle with a balanced diet, increased exercise, regimented medication management can help to manage the symptoms. The caring team at The Verandah Assisted Living and Memory Care in Lake Charles, Louisiana is trained in techniques to assist your loved one in navigating the challenges of Frontotemporal Dementia.

Dementia is a broad term that describes a group of illnesses that all cause cognitive decline such forgetfulness, problems with communication, difficulty following directions, etc. Early onset Alzheimer’s should not be confused with “early-stage dementia” as it is a separate disease process which has a symptom onset before the age of 65. Young or early onset Alzheimer’s symptoms are often the safe as the more common form that begins after age 65. This variant is linked to genetics that can increase risk of Alzheimer’s in general. While this disease is not reversible, a healthier lifestyle with a balanced diet, increased exercise, regimented medication management can help to manage the symptoms. While early-onset Alzheimer’s disease is irreversible, the caring team at The Verandah Assisted Living and Memory Care in Lake Charles, Louisiana is trained in techniques to assist your loved one in navigating the challenges of this dementia.

Dementia is a broad term that describes a group of illnesses that all cause cognitive decline such forgetfulness, problems with communication, difficulty following directions, etc. Dementia following a traumatic brain injury results from encephalopathy caused by repetitive brain trauma (concussions) often found in athletes resulting in progressive deterioration of brain tissue and the build-up of tau protein. Media often refers to this as “pugilistic dementia” because it was first identified among professional boxers – the most famous of whom is Muhammad Ali. These changes begin months, years, or even decades after the last brain trauma or end of active athletic involvement. Symptoms of TBI Dementia include memory loss, confusion, impaired judgment, impulse control problems, aggression, depression, and, eventually, progressive Dementia. While this disease is not reversible, a healthier lifestyle with a balanced diet, increased exercise, regimented medication management can help to manage the symptoms. The caring team at The Verandah Assisted Living and Memory Care in Lake Charles, Louisiana is trained in techniques to assist your loved one in navigating the challenges of TBI dementia.

Dementia is a broad term that describes a group of illnesses that all cause cognitive decline such forgetfulness, problems with communication, difficulty following directions, etc. People diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease often develop dementia symptoms. These symptoms often include mild cognitive impairment, disruption in REM sleep with nightmares, hallucinations, and delusions. While this disease is not reversible, a healthier lifestyle with a balanced diet, increased exercise, regimented medication management can help to manage the symptoms. The caring team at The Verandah Assisted Living and Memory Care in Lake Charles, Louisiana is trained in techniques to assist your loved one in navigating the challenges of Parkinson’s Disease as it relates to dementia.

Dementia is a broad term that describes a group of illnesses that all cause cognitive decline such forgetfulness, problems with communication, difficulty following directions, etc. Autopsy studies looking at the brains of people dementia of an unspecified type suggest that a majority of those age 80 and older probably had Mixed Dementia, caused by co-morbidity of Alzheimer’s disease [or, other Dementia] and vascular disease. In fact, some studies indicate that mixed dementia is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly. While this disease is not reversible, a healthier lifestyle with a balanced diet, increased exercise, regimented medication management can help to manage the symptoms. The caring team at The Verandah Assisted Living and Memory Care in Lake Charles, Louisiana is trained in techniques to assist your loved one in navigating the challenges of mixed dementia.

Dementia is a broad term that describes a group of illnesses that all cause cognitive decline such forgetfulness, problems with communication, difficulty following directions, etc. Wernicke encephalopathy and Korsakoff syndrome are different conditions, but both result from brain damage caused by a lack of vitamin B1. This vitamin deficiency is common in people with alcoholism and among persons whose bodies do not absorb food properly, as sometimes occurs with a chronic illness or after obesity surgery. Other conditions that may cause vitamin B1 deficiency include: AIDS, cancers that have spread throughout the body, extreme nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, heart failure, long periods of intravenous (IV) therapy without receiving thiamine supplements, long-term dialysis, and very high thyroid hormone levels. Korsakoff Syndrome often presents as Wernike Encephalopathy resolves. While this disease is not reversible, a healthier lifestyle with a balanced diet, increased exercise, regimented medication management can help to manage the symptoms. The caring team at The Verandah Assisted Living and Memory Care in Lake Charles, Louisiana is trained in techniques to assist your loved one in navigating the challenges of Wernike Encephalopathy and Korsakoff Syndrome and the conditions that may cause cognitive decline.

Dementia is a broad term that describes a group of illnesses that all cause cognitive decline such forgetfulness, problems with communication, difficulty following directions, etc. Posterior Cortical Atrophy is a gradual and progressive degeneration of the cortex, or outer layer, of the brain. It is often considered a variant form of Alzheimer’s disease because of the presence of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles that occur in AD are present in the cortex. Early symptoms may include slowly developing challenges with visual tasks such as distinguishing between moving and still objects, inability focus on more than one object at a time, difficulty using common tools, problems judging distances, etc. While Posterior Cortical Atrophy is not reversible, a healthier lifestyle with a balanced diet, increased exercise, regimented medication management can help to manage the symptoms. The caring team at The Verandah Assisted Living and Memory Care in Lake Charles, Louisiana is trained in techniques to assist your loved one in navigating the challenges of this dementia.

Dementia is a broad term that describes a group of illnesses that all cause cognitive decline such forgetfulness, problems with communication, difficulty following directions, etc. Huntington’s disease is inherited and causes certain nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord to wither. Signs and symptoms usually appear during your 30s or 40s and include irritability or anxiety, a severe decline in cognitive skills, and weakness and difficulty with walking and uncontrolled movement. While Huntington’s disease is not reversible, a healthier lifestyle with a balanced diet, increased exercise, regimented medication management can help to manage the symptoms. The caring team at The Verandah Assisted Living and Memory Care in Lake Charles, Louisiana is trained in techniques to assist your loved one in navigating the challenges of this dementia.

Dementia is a broad term that describes a group of illnesses that all cause cognitive decline such forgetfulness, problems with communication, difficulty following directions, etc. Individuals with Down syndrome may develop dementia with characteristics almost identical to those of Alzheimer’s Disease. The recognition that Down Syndrome is associated with trisomy 21 assisted in connecting the possible genetic basis of Alzheimer’s disease. Autopsy studies in people with Down Syndrome showed the majority had brain lesions associated with Alzheimer’s disease. While Down Syndrome and dementia are not reversible, a healthier lifestyle with a balanced diet, increased exercise, regimented medication management can help to manage the symptoms. The caring team at The Verandah Assisted Living and Memory Care in Lake Charles, Louisiana is trained in techniques to assist your loved one in navigating the challenges of this dementia.

Dementia is a broad term that describes a group of illnesses that all cause cognitive decline such forgetfulness, problems with communication, difficulty following directions, etc. Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease is a rare brain disorder that may be due to an inherited abnormal form of a protein or caused by exposure to diseased brain or nervous system tissue. Symptoms of this terminal condition usually appear around age 60 and can include problems with coordination, memory, thinking and vision. Symptoms worsen over time and may include the inability to move or talk, blindness, or infections. While Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease is not reversible, a healthier lifestyle with a balanced diet, increased exercise, regimented medication management can help to manage the symptoms. The caring team at The Verandah Assisted Living and Memory Care in Lake Charles, Louisiana is trained in techniques to assist your loved one in navigating the challenges of this dementia.

The Verandah provides assisted living, transitional assisted living, and specialized memory care services in a warm and welcoming community.

The community features higher staff-to-resident ratios, slip-resistant flooring, handrails, secure and alarmed doors, and the removal of safety hazards to provide a safe environment for residents with memory challenges.

Yes. Every resident has a personalized care plan tailored to their physical, mental, and emotional needs, religious preferences, medical history, and more, developed with input from the resident and their family.

Yes. Families arrange outside care directly with providers and notify the community, which then coordinates scheduling and communication to ensure continuity of care for the resident.

Visitation is currently restricted except for medical care or with limited pre-approval, with meaningful video calls facilitated for families to stay connected. Policies follow CDC and local health guidelines to protect residents and staff.

Nearby schools include Bishop Noland High School and EDS 7th-8th Grades middle school, which may be of interest to families and visitors in the area.

The Sports Club at Graywood, offering gym and tennis courts, is a nearby fitness and recreational facility ideal for residents and visitors looking to stay active.

Yes, the Lake Charles Fire Department Station 8 is nearby, providing emergency and ambulance services to ensure resident safety and rapid response if needed.

The community is located at 5847 Gray Market Drive, Lake Charles, LA 70605. You can reach them by phone at +1 337-313-0162 or email at TheVerandah@SunshineRet.com.

The Verandah offers resort-style living, all-inclusive care, all-day dining with a mind-diet program, wellness and active living options, and programs such as Easy-Move, Travel, and Resident Referral.