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Brookside

A custom-designed environment

Brookside is a specialized residence for individuals with a diagnosis of neurocognitive disorder or dementia, designed to provide an optimal environment during the intermediate stages of their disease. Such individuals are not always aware that their cognitive ability and their safety awareness are compromised. In other respects, they can be fairly “healthy,” active and full of curiosity, with an undimmed sense of initiative. They need guidance, cueing, the right level of stimulation, and interaction with others who understand the progression of their condition and how to communicate optimally. Every aspect of life at Brookside is guided by team members who have received ongoing, expert training in memory care.

Intimate living on a residential scale

Brookside provides secure interior and exterior areas divided between two intimate neighborhoods with a shared Main Street area. The dining and living space features elegant yet cozy furnishings, an inviting fireplace, and comfortable seating for social interaction with views to the outdoors. An activity kitchen provides cooking aromas and sounds that help stimulate the memory of residents. The design for the recreation room creates a feeling of being outdoors in the garden. The all-private rooms are located along the perimeter for maximum natural light and ventilation. Bathrooms can be seen from the bed, which helps with orientation during the night. A technically advanced lighting scheme in the rooms and the common areas assists in maintaining natural sleep cycles. During the mild weather months, the front porch leads to a gated courtyard and garden featuring interesting stops along an easy-to-follow path.

Comfortable and comforting

Brookside offers a comprehensive recreation program, incorporating mind (brain fitness), body (food and exercise) and spirit (the arts and spiritual elements). Quiet and unstructured time can cause discomfort and anxiety for those who live with dementia. That is why the Life Engagement team at Brookside offers 11 hours of programming per day, extending into the evening hours. Throughout the day, Brookside residents walk freely in an environment that promotes discovery (minimizing dead ends), and they receive the right amount of stimulation. Our team uses validation techniques when interacting with residents, with the knowledge that it may be more beneficial to “join them where they are” rather than to draw them back into our reality.