A New Model of Dementia Care Takes Shape at Brookridge
A new model of care for patients with dementia is launching here at ThriveMore and people are excited to help make it happen.
EverTogether is a couples memory care residence being built at Brookridge in Winston-Salem. It’s the brainchild of President and CEO Reed VanderSlik, the first of its kind residence that allows dementia patients and their care partners to continue living together while they receive the expert care and support they both need. All other care models require the dementia patient to be moved to a memory care unit, depriving partners of the ability to continue lifelong routines of living together.
Over the past six months, lead gifts from institutional funders have pushed the EverTogether fundraising campaign to over 80 percent of its goal. The ThriveMore team is especially grateful for support from The Lutheran Foundation for Long Term Living, The Reynolds American Foundation, The John and Anna Hanes Foundation, First Citizens Bank, and the Winston-Salem Foundation.
It’s exciting to be part of a new method of care, said Perry Bailey, a ThriveMore Board of Trustees member and chair of the fundraising campaign.
“In an industry like this that’s regulated and mature, you don’t always get the opportunity to do something that’s genuinely groundbreaking,” she said. Donors have responded to the opportunity in a really positive way.
The EverTogether Residence is a model for a new type of home that supports both a dementia patient and an independent partner. The seed for this pioneering project happened years ago when Reed was invited to a support group for spouses of people with dementia. One man said that his wife received great care, but that saying goodnight to her each night was painful. They had two traditions for their entire marriage: eating dinner together and holding hands while they fell asleep – and neither was possible.
Reed worked with designers and architects to come up with a new housing model that allows for both partners to stay together. It’s a circular building where each home abuts a central courtyard and building that hosts care for the resident with dementia.
Ground was cleared for the residence in the fall, and the building is expected to open late this year.
The need for a residence like this is immediately evident once people hear about the project, because dementia touches so many people’s lives, Perry said.
“So many people are familiar with watching a family member, or a friend’s family member struggle with the challenges of memory care — and in particular the challenge of being separated from their partner,” she said. The EverTogether Residence will allow partners to stay together and still get the care and support they need.