Sylvia Szarejko – Director of Assisted Living Nursing, Kim Wright – Director of the Boundless Wellness Program, Stephanie Fioravanti – Assisted Living Nurse, Ann Pavano – Director of Assisted Living & Resident Services
Purple Flag for Dementia Care™ is an accreditation program developed to recognize excellence and drive continuous improvement in the quality of services delivered by providers and their staff who care for individuals living with Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias. Purple Flag for Dementia Care™originated through a collaboration between the Institute for Senior Living Education (ISLE) and the Connecticut Assisted Living Association (CALA). Upon accreditation, providers receive the distinctive purple flag as a symbol that communicates to the general public and consumers their commitment to leadership in the area of memory care. We are now taking the time to highlight those communities that have pursued and shown commitment to accreditation.
McLean Assisted Living – First Purple Flag Accredited Community
In February 2020, the Connecticut Assisted Living Association announced that McLean, a life plan community in Simsbury, Connecticut, was selected as the first recipient of accreditation for the Purple Flag for Dementia Care™. McLean Assisted Living earned this distinction by providing excellence in care to individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias.
McLean Assisted Living’s President, Lisa Clark, was on the founding governance committee for Purple Flag, helping create the accreditation from the beginning. McLean has been heavily involved with CALA over the years and was aware of the new initiative as it was in the works.
While speaking with Carlene Rhea, McLean’s Vice President of Community Life, she stated McLean believes wholeheartedly in the Purple Flag 60 Standards of Care that they measure to award its accreditation. The McClean team works every day to provide the highest quality of care and applied to become Purple Flag Accredited as they wanted to be 100% certain their community met those standards – and passed with flying colors. Learn more about the benefits of Purple Flag for Dementia Care accreditation.
“It first brought our staff a sense of pride! We continuously celebrate achieving this accreditation because it brings a sense of comfort and assurance to our families that we are striving to provide outstanding care.”
Carlene Rhea on the value of flying the Purple Flag at McLean Assisted Living
When asked what value the Purple Flag for Dementia Care™ Accreditation has brought to the McLean community, Carlene Rhea responded, “It first brought our staff a sense of pride! We continuously celebrate achieving this accreditation because it brings a sense of comfort and assurance to our families that we are striving to provide outstanding care. It’s also an important talking point as we show potential residents and their families our community.”
McLean Assisted Living, Simsbury, CT
The McLean Assisted Living staff shared that one of the unexpected benefits of accreditation was a chance to review, revise and create new policies. In memory care, it’s vitally important to have policies that reflect the latest best practices. The Purple Flag Accreditation process called attention to reviewing their policies and allowed the team to refresh their minds and make updates if necessary.
“Our Purple Flag was awarded right before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, a time that brought a completely new way of life to health care”, said Rhea. “One effect felt by all was the increased dementia education required for all staff (maintenance, housekeeping, business office, dining, etc.). The overall increase in dementia education only benefited the McLean staff and day-to-day for our residents.”
As more communities become accredited, the McLean team looks forward to collaborating on best practices with other Purple Flag communities – believing that by intentionally connecting like-minded, accredited communities, they can only benefit from one another. Most importantly, it will strengthen dementia care as they work together to set the industry gold standard.
Rhea offers a word of encouragement to all assisted living communities considering accreditation:
“It is a big push and effort, but if taken one step at a time, it will prove to enhance your practice!”
Carlene Rhea, Vice President of Community Life, McLean Assisted Living
As McLean enters its 51st year of caring for seniors, the Purple Flag only adds to its reputation and legacy of care!
Home » Blog Archive » Accreditation Spotlight: McLean Assisted Living Achieves Purple Flag 60 Standards of Care
Accreditation Spotlight: McLean Assisted Living Achieves Purple Flag 60 Standards of Care
Purple Flag for Dementia Care™ is an accreditation program developed to recognize excellence and drive continuous improvement in the quality of services delivered by providers and their staff who care for individuals living with Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias. Purple Flag for Dementia Care™ originated through a collaboration between the Institute for Senior Living Education (ISLE) and the Connecticut Assisted Living Association (CALA). Upon accreditation, providers receive the distinctive purple flag as a symbol that communicates to the general public and consumers their commitment to leadership in the area of memory care. We are now taking the time to highlight those communities that have pursued and shown commitment to accreditation.
In February 2020, the Connecticut Assisted Living Association announced that McLean, a life plan community in Simsbury, Connecticut, was selected as the first recipient of accreditation for the Purple Flag for Dementia Care™. McLean Assisted Living earned this distinction by providing excellence in care to individuals with Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias.
McLean Assisted Living’s President, Lisa Clark, was on the founding governance committee for Purple Flag, helping create the accreditation from the beginning. McLean has been heavily involved with CALA over the years and was aware of the new initiative as it was in the works.
While speaking with Carlene Rhea, McLean’s Vice President of Community Life, she stated McLean believes wholeheartedly in the Purple Flag 60 Standards of Care that they measure to award its accreditation. The McClean team works every day to provide the highest quality of care and applied to become Purple Flag Accredited as they wanted to be 100% certain their community met those standards – and passed with flying colors. Learn more about the benefits of Purple Flag for Dementia Care accreditation.
When asked what value the Purple Flag for Dementia Care™ Accreditation has brought to the McLean community, Carlene Rhea responded, “It first brought our staff a sense of pride! We continuously celebrate achieving this accreditation because it brings a sense of comfort and assurance to our families that we are striving to provide outstanding care. It’s also an important talking point as we show potential residents and their families our community.”
The McLean Assisted Living staff shared that one of the unexpected benefits of accreditation was a chance to review, revise and create new policies. In memory care, it’s vitally important to have policies that reflect the latest best practices. The Purple Flag Accreditation process called attention to reviewing their policies and allowed the team to refresh their minds and make updates if necessary.
“Our Purple Flag was awarded right before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, a time that brought a completely new way of life to health care”, said Rhea. “One effect felt by all was the increased dementia education required for all staff (maintenance, housekeeping, business office, dining, etc.). The overall increase in dementia education only benefited the McLean staff and day-to-day for our residents.”
As more communities become accredited, the McLean team looks forward to collaborating on best practices with other Purple Flag communities – believing that by intentionally connecting like-minded, accredited communities, they can only benefit from one another. Most importantly, it will strengthen dementia care as they work together to set the industry gold standard.
Rhea offers a word of encouragement to all assisted living communities considering accreditation:
As McLean enters its 51st year of caring for seniors, the Purple Flag only adds to its reputation and legacy of care!