Memory Care HERstory at Rock Creek Senior Living

My name is Jenna Larson, and I’m the memory care director at Rock Creek Ankeny Senior Living. In honor of Women’s History Month, I want to take a moment to celebrate Mary, one of our neighborhood residents! 

Mary was an early childhood educator at a local college. She divorced in the 1980s, but was a strong single mom. She loves Starbucks Frappuccinos. Mary enjoys singing, and can sing ANYTHING. Although she is losing her vision, she remains the happiest, most pleasant woman. Mary has the gift of gab and can chitchat for days. She loves to laugh and often cracks jokes with the other residents. One of her favorite things to do was to call the Bingo games.

I feel it is important to honor the stories and history of individuals with dementia because we tell the stories they can’t. In the Rock Creek neighborhood, we try to connect individuals living with dementia by knowing their previous routine. That knowledge helps us to guide them towards meaningful and purposeful days.

For more HERstories, check out these recent episodes of Arrow Nicely News!