At The Plaza at Edgemere, we know that no two dementia journeys — or days — are exactly alike. That’s why our memory care is never one-size-fits-all.
Our new and innovative Dual Programming and the Golden Opportunities Bridge Program, which connects assisted living and memory care, ensure that all residents are thoughtfully supported based on their individual abilities, interests, social preferences, moods, and cognitive needs, with engagement opportunities that to meet them where they are each day.
A Philosophy Built on Purpose and Belonging
Every aspect of Memory Care at The Plaza at Edgemere falls under the umbrella of the community’s holistic Vitalize philosophy, which focuses on meaningful engagement, emotional wellness, and individualized support.
“Everyone wants to feel like they fit in and are included,” explains Certus Living’s Memory Care Program Director Angela Kotschi. “At The Plaza, your loved one will be cherished and respected for who they are. They’ll be nurtured. They’ll feel safe and comfortable, while being able to retain their dignity.”
That sense of safety and belonging shapes everything, from activities and dining to the physical environment itself.
The community’s Memory Care neighborhood offers cozy gathering areas; interactive lifestyle stations allowing residents to revisit familiar hobbies, settings and pastimes; calming sensory experiences; specialized dining approaches; beautiful outdoor spaces designed for safe wandering and relaxation; and ongoing staff education focused on dementia-friendly care.
But perhaps the most innovative element is the way engagement itself has been reimagined.
Introducing Dual Programming and Golden Opportunities
The Plaza at Edgemere recognizes that residents living with memory loss are still very much individuals. They have different histories, preferences, interests, and personalities. In addition, residents can have different levels of functioning from day to day.
This understanding has led to the development of Dual Programming and the Golden Opportunities Bridge Program.
Dual Programming
Within Memory Care itself, residents are offered a choice of different activity experiences based on their abilities, desires, and needs.
Rather than expecting every resident to participate in the same activity, the community now offers multiple engagement options at the same time. For instance, one resident may participate in tactile, sensory-focused experiences, while another might enjoy a more cognitively challenging social activity.
Residents will experience meaningful and personalized daily connections in small groups, larger groups, or one-on-one — again based on their individual needs.
This approach allows residents to experience success instead of frustration — an essential part of maintaining confidence, comfort, and joy.
The Golden Opportunities Bridge Program
One of the most exciting innovations of The Plaza’s Vitalize Program is Golden Opportunities, a bridge connecting residents in Assisted Living and Memory Care.
The program is designed for residents from both neighborhoods who are socially engaged and more cognitively active, but who may benefit from additional support or transitional programming.
“This group really benefits from spending their days together,” Kotschi says, describing how these select residents build friendships as they participate in activities and enjoy meals together.
These two new offerings result in a more natural, dignified experience that avoids rigid boundaries and instead focuses on helping residents remain engaged and connected.
“It’s not like there’s one set activity, and everybody’s forced to do it or sit alone,” Kotschi continues. “Your loved one will be given options based on where they are, and with the understanding that that can change day-to-day or even hour-to-hour. Our prime concern is that everyone feels happy, interested, and well.”
Three Personalized Engagement Paths
The Plaza at Edgemere’s individualized approach now has three specialized engagement paths designed to provide purpose, stimulation, and connection for every resident.
Each resident is thoughtfully assessed shortly after moving in using a thoughtful evidence-informed approach that considers both cognitive ability and social preference. Some residents thrive in large groups. Others prefer quiet one-on-one interaction. The goal is not simply participation — it is meaningful participation.
Golden Opportunities suits residents with higher abilities who benefit from leadership opportunities, outings, and integration with Assisted Living activities.
Memory Makers is a good option for residents who thrive with guided, hands-on activities such as cooking preparation, movement and music, reading aloud, trivia, coloring, and word games.
The Sensory Studio is a haven for residents who will benefit from calming sensory experiences such as soothing lighting, scents, textures, visuals, and music. The beautiful space also helps residents experiencing anxiety or restlessness find spa-like comfort and relaxation in the state-of-the-art Vital-Ease® Chair.
Supporting the Whole Family
The innovative Vitalize programming extends beyond residents themselves.
The Plaza’s Atelier Sensory Room has become a valuable resource for families, offering a peaceful, spa-like environment where loved ones can reconnect in meaningful ways.
“Families can struggle to find ways to interact with their loved ones in Memory Care,” Kotschi says. “The Atelier Sensory Room gives them activities they can actually do together. Plus, there’s light music playing and different scents in the air that aid with calm and memory. It’s a soothing and relaxing experience for everyone.”
In addition, The Plaza at Edgemere recently introduced a Memory Café program for caregivers and families in the larger community, providing education, support, and resources for those navigating dementia outside the community as well.
Edgemere’s commitment to Memory Care extends across the senior living community’s campus. Every staff member — including housekeeping, dining, maintenance, and administrative teams — has completed Dementia Friendly USA training regardless of whether they work in The Plaza or in the independent living neighborhood.
Meeting Residents Where They Are
At its core, the Memory Care program at The Plaza at Edgemere is built around a simple but powerful belief: every resident deserves to feel valued, successful, connected, and understood.
“People may forget exactly what you said,” Kotschi reflected, “but they don’t forget how you made them feel.”
At The Plaza at Edgemere, that feeling is one of warmth, dignity, purpose, and belonging.
To learn more about Edgemere’s Memory Care neighborhood and discover if it is a good fit for your loved one, visit https://edgemerelife.com/memory-care/ or schedule a personal tour at https://edgemerelife.com/contact-us/.