A Memory Care Community in San Francisco
Our approach to memory care is rooted in Validation Therapy — a practical way of working with residents that helps reduce stress, enhance dignity, and increase happiness.
Memory Care FAQs.
Our fourth floor is a specialized memory care floor known as The Terrace, with an ideal balance of privacy, community, and
enriching activities. Residents are treated by our dedicated staff with compassion and understanding in an environment where
their dignity and individuality is respected.
Are we making the right decision to move our loved one to a memory care community?
Every family’s experience is unique, but we find that residents respond very well to the caregiving and programming routines of our memory care program. We graciously guide the resident throughout the day; friends and family can focus on spending time with their loved one without being responsible for medications, behavioral concerns, or personal hygiene challenges.
What is therapeutic programming?
Therapeutic programming consists of individual and group activities therapy, directed by a licensed professional and designed to improve the quality of life for individuals with memory loss. Every day, The Terrace programming is comprised of activities intended to stimulate each major area of functioning: physical, cognitive, artistic/creative, and sensory. In addition to stimulating multiple areas of functioning, we also provide a safe place for emotional expression. This is a supportive environment where residents can engage and succeed in activities they enjoy. While we find that maintaining a structured routine is helpful for residents with memory loss, therapeutic programming is also flexible. Because activities are structured by qualified individuals, we can adapt any activity to whatever a resident may need at a particular moment of the day.
How much personal care can we expect?
Our staff-to-resident ratio is higher than the industry standard and we staff to the residents’ needs, not to a profit margin determined by a for-profit corporation. Memory care residents are closely monitored, including hourly status checks throughout the day and overnight. Care staff includes certified caregivers, medication managers, and round-the-clock licensed vocational nurse (LVN) coverage. Residents are assisted with all of their basic needs including bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, and being escorted within the community. We also provide reminders and prompting so that residents can independently complete as much of their daily routine as possible.
How do you manage difficult behaviors?
We are staffed by licensed professionals: a registered nurse (RN), certified nursing assistants (CNAs), licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), licensed marriage and family therapists (MFTs), and medication technicians. In addition to our extensive initial staff training process, we also provide ongoing monthly staff training. Our staff is adept at recognizing behavioral cues and addressing the causes of agitation. Dementia is an extensive subject covered in training and we take professional pride in redirecting residents without the use of behavioral medications as much as possible. We strive to adapt our environment and approach so that each resident can find comfort, self-expression, and the highest possible quality of life.
Do you have to be Jewish to live at Rhoda Goldman Plaza?
Residents are not required to be Jewish to live here—we welcome residents of all faiths as well as residents who are more secular than religious. Our memory care program, in particular, has residents of many backgrounds and faiths, and we individualize programming to resident interests and capabilities.
Do residents keep the same primary care doctor?
We work with each resident’s primary care provider for medication management and any change in condition, either mental or physical. Residents who have a primary care provider in San Francisco will continue to see the same primary care provider. Residents from outside San Francisco will need a local physician — we can provide a list of local providers, including physicians who make house calls to our community.
What happens if my loved one needs to go to the hospital?
We have 24-hour nursing staff who will convey the insurance information, health history, and emergent concerns to the paramedics and emergency room (ER) staff. The nurse will also notify the resident’s primary emergency contact and the resident’s primary care physician. If the resident’s family is unable to meet the resident at the ER, we will appoint a staff member to accompany the resident to the hospital. As hospital emergency rooms can be particularly confusing and traumatizing for residents, our staff will stay with the resident until he or she is safely monitored by hospital staff.
What can we expect at mealtimes?
Mealtimes are very social for residents, who often enjoy talking with one another during meals. There is no predetermined time to finish meals and residents are encouraged to eat at their own pace. The memory care dining room looks out across a park and library where residents can watch soccer games, school groups, and joggers.
What if my loved one doesn’t like activities?
We invite and encourage residents to participate in therapeutic programming. We also tailor activities to the interests and preferences of our residents. That said, we also respect each resident’s autonomy; those not interested in an activity can relax in their apartment or an alternative common area.
Compassionate, Effective And Positive San Francisco Memory Care.
When Your Loved One Needs A Memory Care Community.
Early-stage memory issues can be difficult to diagnose. Afflictions can occur years before some residents show any symptoms, which often develop at a gradual, unnoticeable pace, depending on the person’s age and overall health.
Why Choose Rhoda Goldman Plaza for San Francisco Memory Care.
At Rhoda Goldman Plaza, we treat every resident with the dignity and level of care that we would provide to members of our own families. We never cut corners on staffing, and instead, have a high staff-to-resident ratio that ensures residents receive proper and attentive medical care. Every member of our staff is trained to meet a certain standard of care, whether it’s the chefs who provide nutritionally-balanced meals or the on-site care staff. The beautiful environment and daily enrichment activities serve to further craft a healing and restful space.
Let’s Connect.
For more information on why our memory care community could be your best choice,
please call 415.345.5077 or email Adrienne Fair, MSN, RN, Assistant Executive Director.