When an individual is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, it can raise a lot of questions for them and their loved ones. The path may feel uncertain as they wonder, “What’s next?”

Tammy McVicar, co-founder/owner of Dynamic Senior Solutions (DSS) and consultant for the Josephine Memory Care Center at 10 Wilmington Place, is committed to helping families navigate this uncertainty.

Close to home

Dementia care is personal to the co-founders of DSS: Tammy, her twin sister Terrie Hickey, and close friend Paula Sabo. Terrie and Tammy’s grandmother had vascular dementia. Tammy’s mother-in-law and Paula’s grandmother had Alzheimer’s disease. These experiences inspired them to start researching the senior population in 2001. Since then, Tammy has owned and operated three non-medical, in-home care franchises and founded DSS with Terrie and Paula to focus specifically on the Alzheimer’s and dementia populations. Their mission is to “promote wellness, cognitive intervention, and a new level of hope for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias through a wide spectrum of innovative and advanced services that help to maintain function, independence, and a sense of dignity.” These services include non-medical home care, memory screenings, consultations, cognitive assessments, an engaging day program, and nutrition and lifestyle recommendations. 

A positive partnership

Donna Campbell, Director of Nursing at 10 Wilmington Place, first connected with Tammy several years ago when she attended one of Tammy’s classes. Donna reconnected with Tammy just over two years ago as 10 Wilmington Place looked to rejuvenate and upgrade its Memory Care programming.

As a Certified Alzheimer’s Disease Dementia Care Trainer, Tammy’s recommendations were instrumental in the development of memory care prop boxes and realistic life stations, which are two ways residents with significant memory loss and cognitive issues can engage with their surroundings and others. Tammy now visits the 10 Wilmington Place campus every other month to provide ongoing dementia training for the associates of 10 Wilmington Place, particularly those working in the Josephine Memory Care Center.

“I’ve met with the owners [of 10 Wilmington Place] and talked about how we could keep the memory care unit fluid and up to date with different therapeutic measures,” she said. “So we teach a different topic each month—open to all employees—about dementia behaviors, how to engage with somebody with dementia, managing stress and caregiver burnout, fall prevention, what kind of activities can engage and encourage brain wellness, and more. We have a whole curriculum, and we’ve got to keep them up to date with everything, so it’s an ongoing process.”

Fulfilling a purpose

The philosophy at DSS is purpose, possibility, and hope. For families, this can mean accessing education, consultation, or mediation services to determine their options, and how to pursue those options with a greater peace of mind. For individuals who have been diagnosed, it can mean in-home care, or finding a community like 10 Wilmington Place that can support their needs while engaging and encouraging them with stimulating activities.

“Because we took care of family, we don’t just say, ‘Well this is all we can provide,’ and stop there,” Tammy said. “We come up with solutions on how people can live the most fulfilled life. Our job is to keep them safe first, and secondly create daily moments of joy. We try to reach them where they’re at and love them through every moment they’re going through.”

If you have questions about Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, call Tammy McVicar of Dynamic Senior Solutions at 937-429-4220. For more information about the Josephine Memory Care Center at 10 Wilmington Place, contact us today!