By SAMANTHA CRAWFORD
OCEAN CITY – When Patricia St. Clair made the decision to move into The Shores in 2022, it was a choice rooted in foresight, independence, and a desire to spare her family from difficult decisions later on.
At the time, Patricia was living in Delaware with one of her sisters. Although still active and independent, she had begun noticing changes in memory. Having cared for her own father through Alzheimer’s disease, she recognized what could lie ahead and wanted to explore senior living.
“She knew that she was getting forgetful,” recalled her sister, Chris Burns. “She said, ‘I don’t want to be a burden.’”
For Chris and her five siblings, finding the right community became a priority. A nurse by profession, Chris wanted her sister closer to family and began asking trusted colleagues for recommendations.
“I asked a friend and fellow nurse, if you had to go somewhere, where would it be?’ And she said, ‘Hands down The Shores.’”
Chris toured the Ocean City community and quickly understood why it came so highly recommended.
“As a nurse, my first impression was, it does not smell like a nursing home,” Chris said, laughing. “The Shores is so well maintained. It’s so clean, and Pat was a cleaner, so we knew that would be right up her alley.”
Beyond The Shores’ appearance, what stood out most was its welcoming atmosphere. The team was friendly, residents appeared engaged, and Patricia could envision herself building a life there. After touring the community, she moved in one month later.
For nearly two years, Patricia enjoyed life in Assisted Living. As her Alzheimer’s disease progressed, however, she eventually required the additional support available through Tapestries® Memory Care.
The transition was not easy. Patricia had independently managed a colostomy for 25 years and struggled with needing help from others.
“She really gave the staff a hard time,” Chris admitted. “They were certainly very kind with that.”
Like many families navigating Alzheimer’s disease, Chris discovered that the adjustment affects loved ones as well.
“It’s hard on the family,” she said. “As much as it was an adjustment period for Pat, it was for me, too.”
As a nurse, Chris found herself evaluating care through a professional lens. Learning to trust others with her sister’s care required patience, communication, and time. That trust grew because she felt comfortable asking questions and advocating when concerns arose.
“I wasn’t afraid to say something, and I was heard, which was important,” she said.
One of the clearest signs that Patricia was receiving the support she needed was her overall health. When she entered memory care, she weighed only 94 pounds. Since then, she has gained 30 pounds and looks noticeably healthier.
Chris also credits improvements in dining and nutrition, including The Shores’ Vibrant Minds® menu, which incorporates foods designed to support brain health while still offering residents choices.
“The fact that she’s gained 30 pounds since being in Tapestries says a lot,” Chris said. “She looks so much better.”
While the improvements in Patricia’s physical health have been encouraging, Chris is equally grateful for the personalized care she receives. Before retirement, Patricia worked as an administrative assistant at a hospital and took pride in staying busy and organized.
When she first moved into memory care, those instincts remained strong.
“She thought she worked there,” Chris said. “After meals, before they got to sweep the floor, she would go around.”
Rather than discourage her, team members found ways to support that sense of purpose, allowing her to participate in simple tasks that made her feel useful and engaged.
“They would let her do some of it, because that was important to her.”
Chris sees that same philosophy reflected throughout Tapestries. Residents are encouraged to maintain routines that feel comfortable to them, whether that means sleeping later, eating meals when they want, or participating in activities they enjoy.
For Chris, those small accommodations help preserve something that can easily be lost during the progression of Alzheimer’s disease: dignity.
Looking back, she believes one of the greatest benefits of choosing The Shores was the continuum of care that allowed Patricia to remain within the same familiar community as her needs changed.
“I’ve had experience with other family members that then had to go to another community, and that was terrible,” she said.
When asked if choosing The Shores was the right decision, Chris doesn’t hesitate.
“100 percent.”
Years ago, Patricia made the courageous decision to plan for her future. Today, surrounded by family, community, and compassionate support, that decision continues to provide peace of mind for everyone who loves her.
Samantha Crawford is corporate director of communications, UMC.
