You have a busy day ahead of you, even if your plans are fluid. With a brisk walk you pass through several neighborhoods, chatting with acquaintances and stopping at small shops and public parks as you make your way to a public event. An entertainer is visiting, but you still take a few minutes at the library before you get to the venue and find your seat.

It may sound like a nice spring day for any of us, and that’s intentional. In fact, that was an average day at HCR ManorCare’s Arden Courts of Old Orchard, a brand new assisted living memory care community opening in Bethlehem Township.

With 20 years of experience and 55 Arden Court facilities nationwide, this newest community will provide full-time care for up to 64 residents. It will have a staff trained specifically in treating memory disorders, an array of activities geared toward keeping residents busy and moving, and a physical layout designed for safety and mental health needs. As mentioned above, each group of personal rooms and every turn of a corner sees a change in décor theme to simulate a transition to a new neighborhood with different shops or public spaces to visit. Some “destination stations” even include sound effects to complete the atmosphere – it’s an all-encompassing sensory experience with personal engagement.

In a way, it’s reminiscent of an adult-oriented daycare facility.

Marketing Director Anna Kelley said all residents of Arden Courts facilities have some form of dementia, and this newest site is the result of 20 years’ business experience and research into caring for people with such specific needs. This includes people with Alzheimer’s disease, lewy dody dementia, frontotemporal degeneration and vascular dementia. “That’s what sets us apart from other personal care homes and even other dementia-specific communities too; is that we know how to manage those rare types.”

Kelley said the unpredictability of dementia makes it very difficult to manage in the home, safely, and Arden Courts facilities offer a completely secured campus tailored for various attention spans, communications skills and interest levels. So beyond physical care, she said, “Being able to engage all the sense in individual ways is what we offer.”

In fact, Kelley said the Arden Courts facility welcomes local healthcare professionals and community members for learning purposes. “We offer educational opportunities for the community. Reading materials, guest speakers … We want to be a place that the people of Easton and Bethlehem Township will call when they just want some information. We want to help the caregiver who’s out in the community right now.”

Arden Courts of Old Orchard maintains ratio of one caregiver to every eight residents, and they and they all meet and exceed state-mandated training for dementia care. Resident Services Coordinator Nickole Tray said her staff handles not only the day-to-day care, but also preparatory education for residents and families – what they can expect of certain types of dementia as the resident ages and how to work with it. “Any aspect of care they need form the moment they come through the door, they will learn.”

Arden Courts of Old Orchard is at 4098 Freemansburg Ave. and can be reached at 484-735-0818.