Harris County has made it mandatory for Assisted Living Facilities to have power backups. As Harris County is prone to natural events that can lead to extended power outages, loss of power can be a life safety issue.

Unfortunately, many assisted living facilities continue to operate without functional power backup systems. As the extended power outage in 2023 and 2024 showed, resident care suffers a lot when there is no power.

Willow Care Cottages has always been ahead of the curve on that. All our cottages have access to fully functional generators that can provide power to entire facility for extended power outages. Come see our facility for your loved ones.

We use several creative and innovative ideas to enrich the lives of our residents at WillowCare Cottage. From activities and events to personalized care approaches, explore how we make everyday special.

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Enriching Activities

1. Art and Craft Workshops: “Encouraging creativity through art and craft workshops, where residents can express themselves and create beautiful pieces.”

2. Music Therapy Sessions: “Hosting music therapy sessions to stimulate memory and provide a soothing, enjoyable experience for our residents.”

3. Gardening Projects: “Engaging residents in gardening projects to promote physical activity and a sense of accomplishment as they nurture plants and flowers.”

Community Events

4. Seasonal Celebrations: “Organizing seasonal celebrations and holiday-themed events to bring joy and a festive spirit to our community.”

5. Family Days: “Hosting family days where residents can spend quality time with their loved ones in a fun and welcoming environment.”

6. Cultural Festivities: “Celebrating diverse cultures with themed events, food, and activities that highlight and respect the traditions of our residents.”

Personalized Care Approaches

7. Tailored Care Plans: “Developing personalized care plans that cater to the unique needs and preferences of each resident.”

8. One-on-One Companionship: “Providing one-on-one companionship to ensure residents receive individual attention and emotional support.”

9. Memory Lane Walks: “Taking ‘Memory Lane’ walks with residents, discussing their life stories and reminiscing about fond memories.”

Wellness and Health

10. Fitness Programs: “Implementing tailored fitness programs to promote physical health and well-being among our residents.”

11. Nutritious Meal Plans: “Offering nutritious and delicious meal plans designed to meet the dietary needs and preferences of our residents.”

12. Mindfulness and Relaxation: “Conducting mindfulness and relaxation sessions to help residents manage stress and improve their mental health.”

Innovative Care Techniques

13. Sensory Stimulation Activities: “Introducing sensory stimulation activities to engage residents with dementia and enhance their quality of life.”

14. Pet Therapy: “Integrating pet therapy sessions to bring comfort and companionship through interactions with friendly animals.”

15. Virtual Reality Experiences: “Utilizing virtual reality technology to offer residents immersive experiences, from virtual travel to historical tours.”

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Get Involved

“We welcome suggestions and ideas from residents, families, and staff. If you have an idea to enhance life at Willow Care Cottage, please share it with us. Together, we can make every day special.”

The key difference between Memory Care and Assisted Living is the cognitive capability of the resident. While both assisted the residents with their care and daily needs, the resident’s cognitive capability, especially around memory requires specialized care. As the family members slowly discover, loss of memory greatly impairs daily function. A person slowly fails to recognize their loved ones, their names, relationships, and consequently, may also forget the lifetime of learning for daily living. Brushing teeth or taking medicine are no longer automatic things they may remember to do. Other functions may continue completely unimpaired. Not every person is affected the same way, even though there are common traits. In a normal assisted living setting, a person know what they need to do, just need help getting it done, and therefore, they can call someone (ring an assistant) or request help with certain tasks ahead of time. They can communicate effectively on their needs. Memory impaired person, my not be able to do that, and it falls on caregivers to “know” what they need and address it for them.

Memory Care It provides a secure, structured environment with staff trained to help residents with memory loss, including 24/7 supervision, specialized activities, medication management, and assistance with daily living activities. The primary goal is to ensure resident safety and quality of life through a safe environment and therapeutic programs, as seen in facilities with secured entrances and outdoor areas to prevent wandering. 

Key features and services

• Secure environment: Facilities often have secured entrances and exits, alarmed doors, and enclosed outdoor areas to prevent residents from wandering off and getting lost. 
• Specialized staff: Caregivers and staff are specifically trained to care for individuals with dementia. 
• 24/7 supervision: Round-the-clock supervision and care are provided to meet the needs of residents. 
• Therapeutic activities: Memory care communities offer a range of activities designed to engage residents and improve their quality of life, such as physical exercise, social engagement, and other organized games. 
• Assistance with daily living: Staff helps residents with activities like dressing, grooming, bathing, and eating. 
• Medication management: Services include the administration of medications. 
• Therapies: Physical, occupational, and speech therapy are often available on-site