Once you have made the difficult decision to move a family member to a memory care facility, it’s time for the next step: identifying the facility that best fits the person’s needs.

Via Health Services offers gender-mixed facilities in Des Moines and Carlisle. For over 20 years, we’ve seen great intergender friendships flourish and enrich our residents’ lives.

Thanks to healthy environments and skilled staff, we rarely face gender-related issues among residents.

In recent years, though, there has been a gender-specific trend in the industry. We’ve seen women-only and men-only units being opened all over the country and a growing number of families looking for this kind of facility.

AND THE FIRST ALL-WOMEN’S FACILITY IN CENTRAL IOWA WAS BORN.

Until recently, the Central Iowa families looking for a women’s only facility for their impaired mothers and grandmothers simply couldn’t find a local option.

We heard their reasons for looking for a women’s only facility:

• They were concerned about inappropriate intergender interactions, considering that dementia affects judgment abilities.
• They wanted to provide socialization with other women going through similar issues.
• They believed the in the benefits of a staff 100% dedicated to the specificities of dementia in women.
• They expected tailored activities for them.

We also researched the experience of facilities that have adopted the gender-specific model in the last 15 years and learned that:

• The level of agitation decreases significantly.
• The engagement in activities increases.
• Women tend to feel safer and less stressed when among other women.

In August 2022, we opened VIA IRIS MEMORY CARE, a facility dedicated to preserving the dignity and quality of life of women living with dementia. Everything in the new space is designed to offer a calm and home-like environment where residents can make the best of their time. Private suites ensure they enjoy some “me time,” well-decorated common areas encourage socialization, and a calendar of activities elevates their experience. Everything families wanted is finally here, in the Des Moines Area.

Which kind of facility is better for your family member? It depends on their personality, the level of care they need, and the environment you envision for them.

Schedule a visit and spend some time in the facilities. Mixed or single gender, there is a Via tailored for your family.

Fonts:

https://www.pilotonline.com/news/health/article_db420d1b-2e41-5a6a-80ee-e046fc11ca88.html

https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/blog/why-dementia-different-women

https://momsgarden.care/kc/single-gender-senior-living/

https://www.agingcare.com/articles/gender-specific-senior-living-171339.htm