(AYER, Mass., January 2, 2025)— Nashoba Park Assisted Living, a Volunteers of America Massachusetts Community managed by Senior Living Residences (SLR), is the first-ever traditional assisted living community in the nation to receive the new Purple Flag™ Excellence in Dementia Care – Assisted Living flag. The new designation is for traditional assisted living communities who are still able to provide a person-centered, therapeutic environment for those experiencing memory loss. On average, 42% of residents in residential care settings, including assisted living communities, have some form of dementia (Alzheimer’s Association, 2024).
Nashoba Park’s flag-raising ceremony took place in October and joined its 14 sister SLR communities flying the original Purple Flag for Dementia Care flags. “It is vital for individuals living with any form of cognitive impairment or memory loss, including mild to moderate dementia, to receive high-quality, knowledgeable care,” says Christopher Carter, CEO of the Purple Flag™ Excellence in Dementia Care family of programs and President of the Connecticut Assisted Living Association. “Our new Assisted Living designation celebrates and acknowledges providers who demonstrate excellence in person-centered care even when a secure setting is not required.”
Purple Flag™ Excellence in Dementia Care now has four different designations recognizing excellence –– Memory Care, for those with dedicated Memory Care units; (traditional) Assisted Living Hospice Care; and Home Care.
Purple Flag accreditation requires communities and organizations to meet a set of rigorous standards when it comes to the quality of life and care. There are 60 best practice program standards across 10 categories that care providers must meet to become a Purple Flag™ Excellence in Dementia Care-accredited organization.
“We are proud to be the first to achieve the Purple Flag for Assisted Living designation. It’s not uncommon for people to choose to live in a traditional assisted living community while experiencing symptoms of memory loss, whether it’s the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease or Mild Cognitive Impairment.” shared Julie Bagdonas, Executive Director at Nashoba Park.
“The reality is that not everyone with memory loss needs or wants to be in a secure Memory Care Neighborhood, and they can actually live safely and thrive in a traditional setting. Our many innovative programs, including a Brain Healthy dining program based on the well-researched Mediterranean Diet and lifelong learning opportunities, take a non-pharmacological approach to treating — and even delaying — the symptoms of memory loss.”
Bagdonas continued, “I am incredibly proud of the close-knit team we have at Nashoba Park, whose teamwork and commitment give our residents the best possible quality of life even as their needs change over time.” More details can be found at purpleflag.org. To learn more about Purple Flag, contact Christopher Carter at [email protected].
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About Purple Flag™
Purple Flag™ Excellence in Dementia Care is an accreditation program that has set the standards for and accredits organizations for their work to care for and enhance the quality of life of persons living with any form of dementia, including mild cognitive impairment or memory loss. The four care areas in which it provides accreditations are: Memory Care (communities that have dedicated memory care units), Assistant Living, Home Care and Hospice Care. The program is committed to Purple Flag™ originated in 2019 through a collaboration between the Institute for Senior Living Education (ISLE) and the Connecticut Assisted Living Association (CALA). Upon approval, providers receive the distinctive purple flag as a symbol that communicates their commitment to excellence in dementia care. To learn more about Purple Flag and for media inquiries, please contact Christopher Carter at [email protected] or go to purpleflag.org.
About Nashoba Park Assisted Living
Nashoba Park Assisted Living, a Volunteers of America Massachusetts Senior Community, is a historic renovation of the former Ayer Community Hospital and offers local seniors service-enriched assisted living. Learn more online at www.NashobaPark.com.
Home » Blog Archive » Nashoba Park Assisted Living Receives First Purple Flag™ Excellence in Dementia Care Flag Under Expanded Program
Nashoba Park Assisted Living Receives First Purple Flag™ Excellence in Dementia Care Flag Under Expanded Program
(AYER, Mass., January 2, 2025)— Nashoba Park Assisted Living, a Volunteers of America Massachusetts Community managed by Senior Living Residences (SLR), is the first-ever traditional assisted living community in the nation to receive the new Purple Flag™ Excellence in Dementia Care – Assisted Living flag. The new designation is for traditional assisted living communities who are still able to provide a person-centered, therapeutic environment for those experiencing memory loss. On average, 42% of residents in residential care settings, including assisted living communities, have some form of dementia (Alzheimer’s Association, 2024).
Nashoba Park’s flag-raising ceremony took place in October and joined its 14 sister SLR communities flying the original Purple Flag for Dementia Care flags. “It is vital for individuals living with any form of cognitive impairment or memory loss, including mild to moderate dementia, to receive high-quality, knowledgeable care,” says Christopher Carter, CEO of the Purple Flag™ Excellence in Dementia Care family of programs and President of the Connecticut Assisted Living Association. “Our new Assisted Living designation celebrates and acknowledges providers who demonstrate excellence in person-centered care even when a secure setting is not required.”
Purple Flag™ Excellence in Dementia Care now has four different designations recognizing excellence –– Memory Care, for those with dedicated Memory Care units; (traditional) Assisted Living Hospice Care; and Home Care.
Purple Flag accreditation requires communities and organizations to meet a set of rigorous standards when it comes to the quality of life and care. There are 60 best practice program standards across 10 categories that care providers must meet to become a Purple Flag™ Excellence in Dementia Care-accredited organization.
“We are proud to be the first to achieve the Purple Flag for Assisted Living designation. It’s not uncommon for people to choose to live in a traditional assisted living community while experiencing symptoms of memory loss, whether it’s the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease or Mild Cognitive Impairment.” shared Julie Bagdonas, Executive Director at Nashoba Park.
“The reality is that not everyone with memory loss needs or wants to be in a secure Memory Care Neighborhood, and they can actually live safely and thrive in a traditional setting. Our many innovative programs, including a Brain Healthy dining program based on the well-researched Mediterranean Diet and lifelong learning opportunities, take a non-pharmacological approach to treating — and even delaying — the symptoms of memory loss.”
Bagdonas continued, “I am incredibly proud of the close-knit team we have at Nashoba Park, whose teamwork and commitment give our residents the best possible quality of life even as their needs change over time.” More details can be found at purpleflag.org. To learn more about Purple Flag, contact Christopher Carter at [email protected].
###
About Purple Flag™
Purple Flag™ Excellence in Dementia Care is an accreditation program that has set the standards for and accredits organizations for their work to care for and enhance the quality of life of persons living with any form of dementia, including mild cognitive impairment or memory loss. The four care areas in which it provides accreditations are: Memory Care (communities that have dedicated memory care units), Assistant Living, Home Care and Hospice Care. The program is committed to Purple Flag™ originated in 2019 through a collaboration between the Institute for Senior Living Education (ISLE) and the Connecticut Assisted Living Association (CALA). Upon approval, providers receive the distinctive purple flag as a symbol that communicates their commitment to excellence in dementia care. To learn more about Purple Flag and for media inquiries, please contact Christopher Carter at [email protected] or go to purpleflag.org.
About Nashoba Park Assisted Living
Nashoba Park Assisted Living, a Volunteers of America Massachusetts Senior Community, is a historic renovation of the former Ayer Community Hospital and offers local seniors service-enriched assisted living. Learn more online at www.NashobaPark.com.