Ashley Gardens Memory Care & Transitional Assisted Living

08/22/2025

🌿 The Benefits of Indoor Gardening 🌿

Indoor gardening is more than a simple hobby. It is a hands-on wellness practice that brings comfort, calm, and connection to everyday life, especially for those living with memory loss.

Tending to plants encourages gentle movement, sensory engagement, and a meaningful sense of purpose. Simple acts like watering, pruning, or watching a new leaf grow help establish routine and mindfulness, which can be deeply soothing for your loved one.

🧠 Research shows that interacting with plants can reduce stress, ease anxiety, lower blood pressure, and support cognitive health by stimulating memory and focus.

🌱 Indoor greenery also helps clean the air. Plants naturally filter everyday pollutants, improving the atmosphere of living spaces and promoting easier breathing.

From a small pot of herbs to a row of colorful blooms, indoor gardening creates space for quiet joy, focus, and care.

08/22/2025

This week we gathered to celebrate all of our August birthdays. The room was filled with laughter, music, plenty of smiles, and of course lots of cake as we honored each special day. Wishing our August stars a year ahead full of joy, love, and unforgettable moments!

08/21/2025

🥓 National Bacon Day 🥓 had us bringing home the bacon all day long! We started with bacon and eggs for breakfast, chicken bacon ranch salads for lunch, and finished the day off with some good ol’ BLTs. Our taste buds were sizzling with joy! Who knew one strip could hog all of the attention?

08/20/2025

Why is mindful movement so important in memory care communities?

Mindful movement supports emotional balance, cognitive engagement, and physical well-being. For individuals with memory loss, it offers calm, connection, and gentle stimulation. Try these easy, adaptable ideas together:

🌿 Nature Walks: Take slow walks and invite your loved one to notice sounds, scents, and textures. Focus on small sensory moments like the feel of sunlight or the sound of birds.

🪑 Seated Outdoor Exercises: Practice simple stretches or chair yoga. Movements like shoulder rolls, arm circles, and leg lifts help improve flexibility and promote relaxation through steady breathing.

🎶 Chair Dancing: Play familiar tunes and encourage gentle movement from a seated position. Swaying, clapping, or tapping along can boost coordination and lift the mood.

🎈 Balloon Play: Keep a balloon in the air together. Watching it float and responding to its movement supports focus, motor control, and laughter.

👣 Sensory Walks: Create a barefoot path using textured materials like rugs, smooth stones, or paper. Encourage slow walking and focused attention on each step to increase body awareness and calm.

Everyday activities like folding laundry, watering plants, or setting the table can also become mindful movement when done with attention and care. The goal is not performance but presence.

Our care team gently weaves these practices into daily routines, creating an environment where your loved one can move with ease, purpose, and dignity.

08/18/2025

When a loved one begins to experience memory impairments caused by Alzheimer’s disease or other memory-related conditions, families are often faced with difficult decisions, none more pressing than understanding the cost of memory care. This stage can bring both emotional and financial uncertainty, especially for those navigating it for the first time. That’s why it’s so important to approach this journey with clarity and accurate information.

In this guide, we’ll help you understand how much memory care costs, what influences pricing, how it differs from standard assisted living, and what resources are available to help you or your loved one plan with confidence.

Read more: https://bit.ly/4m5Tohc

Explore what memory care costs, factors that affect pricing, and how families can plan with confidence.

08/18/2025

Our full sensory spa day was nothing short of refreshing for the mind, body, and spirit. We began with gentle yoga, explored the calming waves of an ocean sensory experience (complete with the magic of kinetic sand), and sipped on our own refreshing spa water creations. To top it all off, we enjoyed soothing live acoustic music. A perfect way to celebrate National Relaxation Day!

08/15/2025

Nourish the body, support the mind 💚

This crisp apple spinach salad is more than just delicious. It's packed with brain-boosting nutrients like leafy greens, walnuts, and antioxidant-rich apples. A perfect addition to memory care focused meals. 🧠✨

Apple Spinach Salad for Memory Support

Ingredients:
• 6 cups baby spinach
• 2 apples (Pink Lady and Granny Smith), thinly sliced
• ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
• ½ cup walnuts or pecans, toasted
• ⅓ cup dried cranberries
• ⅓ cup crumbled goat cheese (or feta)

Apple Cider Vinaigrette:
• ⅓ cup olive oil
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:
✔️ Whisk vinaigrette ingredients until smooth.
✔️ In a large bowl, toss spinach, apples, onion, nuts, cranberries, and half the cheese.
✔️Drizzle with dressing and toss gently.
✔️Top with remaining cheese and serve.

08/15/2025

Our ice cream outing was just what summer ordered! 🍦 We soaked up the sunshine, enjoyed fresh air, savored sweet treats, and spent time with the best company. The weather held off just long enough for us to bask in the beautiful, hot sun, and the ice cream was the perfect way to cool down!

☀️

08/14/2025

Our Golden Goods Boutique was buzzing with excitement! Residents browsed through racks of clothes, tried on stylish shoes, picked out accessories, and found plenty of treasures to take home. The sales were happening, the prices were just right, and the smiles were priceless!

08/13/2025

FAQ ❓Are Family Visits Encouraged?

Absolutely. Family is at the heart of everything we do. ❤️

We warmly welcome loved ones to visit, share meals, and join in community events. These moments create meaningful connection and help maintain strong emotional bonds, which are vital to the well-being of our residents.

Whether it's a quiet afternoon chat or a celebration with music and laughter, we believe that quality time with family brings comfort, joy, and a sense of belonging.

08/12/2025

There’s no better way to start the day than with a classic breakfast favorite; a warm bacon, egg, and cheese on an English muffin, served with a colorful side of fresh fruit. A delicious start to a great wonderful day ahead!

08/11/2025

Navigating the journey of finding dementia care for a loved one can be emotionally overwhelming. From understanding what dementia care entails to knowing where to start your search, families often feel unsure of how to make the best choice.

This step-by-step guide was created with you in mind, to offer comfort and direction as you seek dementia care near you that feels like home and provides the support your loved one deserves.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/40swzvH

Learn how to find dementia care near you with this heartfelt, practical guide for families seeking memory care and Alzheimer’s support.