All posts by Kia Crawford

Dogwood Forest of Grayson will host it’s formal Grand Opening on October 5th. The event will cap off the soft opening of the community which began in August. The event is open to the public.

Dogwood Forest of Grayson, located in the heart of Grayson, Georgia on Grayson Highway, is the fourth community for the Dogwood Forest brand. The community began construction in 2016 and concluded in July. The community’s first residents settled into their new home in August. The Grand Opening will allow visitors to see the unparalleled amenities the community has to offer while enjoying hors d’ oeuvres and live jazz.

Come and join us!

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Dogwood Forest Assisted Living communities recently joined together for a picnic at Stone Mountain Park. Residents and staff from Dogwood Forest of Grayson, Dogwood Forest of Acworth and Dogwood Forest of Dunwoody enjoyed roasted hotdogs and grilled hamburgers provided by the staff at Stone Mountain Park, all while taking in wonderful views of the Georgia’s most famous mountain and surrounding lake. Residents participated in dancing, trivia and corn hole games. Many of the residents enjoyed getting social by connecting with the Facebook community through a live stream of the event on Facebook Live!

The Stone Mountain picnic provided residents with the opportunity to connect with other residents across all Dogwood Forest communities. Watch the highlights from this awesome event!

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We are ecstatic to move-in our first residents at our newly opened Dogwood Forest of Grayson community! Construction began on the 99- unit residence in January 2016, and we’re moving in our first residents today! The community boast a beautiful courtyard area, theatre, wellness center, and much more! We’re located at 1754 Grayson Highway, Grayson, Georgia. Come on by for a visit and take a tour!

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Dogwood Forest loves service work. We service our residents, and we absolutely love giving back! We also love when others do as well! We recently hosted students from Mount Paran Christian School. Students from multiple grade levels volunteered at Dogwood Forest of Acworth as part of their first ever Family Day of Service. The service day involved students volunteering at 15 different locations across Cobb County. At Dogwood Forest, students and their families organized closets, knitted, painted nails, and lead activities.

Here are a few pictures from our awesome day!

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Even in Georgia, the winter can bring freezing temperatures and even snow (though it may not fall until January). It is a time of enjoying family around the fireplace and in front of the Christmas tree. Even if there’s not snow on the ground, the dry coldness can be terrible for the feet. If it does snow or other precipitation has fallen, the dampness can also be uncomfortable, if not dangerous. This is especially true for seniors.

Beyond just the state of the feet themselves, it’s also important to consider the dangers of slick sidewalks. A simple stroll could quickly result in a twisted ankle or other, more serious injuries. Avoiding such injuries and taking care of the feet should be a top priority for both you and your senior loved one this winter season.

Though it may seem insignificant, dental hygiene is one of the most important aspects of health for seniors. As we get older, common oral health issues become more pronounced, as our immune systems are generally less able to combat germs that cause different problems. In addition, when dentures are used, food and other particles are more likely to get lodged in and stuck against the gums, which can lead to issues like gingivitis.

Oral health problems don’t just affect the mouth itself; the mouth is a gateway to the rest of the body, after all. Poor dental hygiene can lead to more serious medical problems, like heart disease and diabetes. Further, nearly a quarter of all seniors have severe gum disease, and related complications lead to hundreds of thousands of emergency room visits a year. Surprisingly, about a third of … Read more...

When your loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, it’s important to make sure that they have the proper care they need in order to keep them active, happy and safe. The medical community has discovered that the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease can be delayed by an average of six years through the incorporation of clinically proven non-drug therapies, even after the disease has begun.

As an industry leader in Alzheimer’s disease and dementia care at Dogwood Forest, we pride ourselves in giving the best possible care in the fight against the progression of dementia. Our Memory Care program and innovative living environments center around the most promising medical science in the fight against dementia.

Below, learn how we help prevent the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease:

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Where did you grow up?  Helen Russo was born on June 11, 1932 in Brooklyn New York, where she grew up.  She was the oldest child with two younger brothers. Today, only one brother is living.  Helen finished high school but did not attend college.  

What are some of your favorite memories from your childhood?  Helen states that she loved her mother and her brothers so much.  She has good memories of Christmastime while growing up, with good food and giving and receiving presents.  She also has good memories of summer time in New York, specifically when fireman would come and open the fire hydrants so the kids could play in the water. 

What are some of your favorite memories from your adulthood?  Helen has wonderful memories of her son Anthony while he was growing up. She states that they … Read more...

Outside of the hubbub of Lawrenceville in Gwinnett County, you will find the sleepy town of Grayson. It has long been a destination for those who may work in Atlanta or other larger cities as a respite and a great place to get away from all the noise at the end of the day. With under 3,000 people living here, Grayson is the definition of “Small-town America.” Here, everyone knows your name — including Mayor Allison Wilkerson.

Yet, you’re never too far from the thrills and fun of Atlanta and the surrounding area. Just a few miles down the road is the main artery into the city: I-85. You would never know it, though, with the sincere community of Grayson. That’s why Dogwood Forest has chosen this town as the location for its newest community.

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The cooler weather is here, and most of us are relieved to have a break from the burning temperatures of summer. But while we might enjoy the weather more, we also need to be mindful of the other things that this season brings – namely, coughs and colds. We know you don’t want your senior loved one to deal with any illness, so we’ve come up with a few tips to keep everyone healthier this winter.

We know this seems very basic, but many people don’t realize how often they should wash their hands, especially if you’re near anyone with a contagious disease. You don’t need to go overboard and wash your hands every twenty minutes, but be mindful of your surroundings, and wash your hands anytime you use a public railing, assist an ill person, … Read more...