EverTogether Takes the Stage: Rethinking Memory Care at LeadingAge NC
At last week’s LeadingAge North Carolina conference in Asheville, ThriveMore’s EverTogether Residence was part of a forward-looking conversation about the future of memory care.
President and CEO Reed VanderSlik joined a panel alongside CJMW Principal Beth Faircloth and Senior Living Practice Leader John J. Evans III to share the thinking behind the project and what it could mean for couples navigating dementia.
What emerged was not just a project update, but a deeper look at how senior living providers and design partners are beginning to rethink both care models and the environments that support them.
A Growing Need — for Residents and Care Partners
The conversation began with a clear and urgent reality: the need for new approaches to dementia care is growing.
Faircloth noted that dementia is already affecting a significant portion of the population — and that number is expected to rise, particularly in North Carolina, where higher rates and rapid growth are already being seen.
But just as important is the impact on care partners.
Caregivers often experience high levels of stress, depression and even declining physical health, highlighting the need for models that support not only the individual living with dementia, but also the person walking alongside them.
That insight shaped one of the defining goals of EverTogether: to support both people in the relationship.
Designing a Model That Keeps People Together
During the panel, VanderSlik shared the experience that first led him to question the traditional model of memory care, where couples are often separated when one partner’s needs change.
He recalled a dementia support group that challenged him directly, saying the industry was not offering what they needed.
“What they described,” he said, “was that the two of them wanted to live in a home that felt like home … but the caregiving spouse or the care partner needs responsibilities outside of the home.”
What they envisioned was something different:
A place where they could continue living together, with built-in support that allowed the caregiver to step away when needed — without disrupting the relationship at the center of their lives.
That idea became the foundation for EverTogether.
Translating Vision into Design
Working alongside architects and designers at CJMW, ThriveMore set out to turn that vision into a physical environment that could support both care and connection.
Faircloth described the primary objective as enabling couples to remain together “as long as they can in a single family home,” while also creating the structure needed to support caregiving in a sustainable way.
The resulting design includes:
• A neighborhood of 12 cottages arranged in a circular layout
• Residences designed to feel like home, with private indoor and outdoor spaces
• A connected “flex space” within each home that supports changing care needs
• A shared clubhouse and courtyard designed for activity, support, and socialization
One of the most innovative elements discussed during the panel was the flex space — a secondary living area designed to bridge independent living and memory care.
This space allows a partner with dementia to move safely between their home and a staffed care environment, while still remaining physically connected to their spouse.
At the same time, it offers flexibility for couples to use the space together — reinforcing that it is part of their home, not separate from it.
Supporting Caregiving in Everyday Life
Panelists also emphasized that EverTogether is designed not just around residents, but around the daily realities of caregiving.
The layout allows care partners to step away for everyday responsibilities — whether that’s a doctor’s appointment, an outing, or simply time to recharge — with confidence that support is readily available.
At the same time, shared spaces like the clubhouse create opportunities for both residents and care partners to connect with others walking a similar path.
As Evans noted, the design intentionally brings people together, supporting residents, but also fostering connection among caregivers themselves.
Building Something New — and Learning Along the Way
One consistent theme throughout the discussion was that EverTogether represents something entirely new in senior living.
“There’s no existing precedent to this product,” Evans explained, noting that the model will continue to evolve over time based on real-world experience.
That mindset — of learning, adapting, and refining — is central to the project.
From early conversations with dementia experts to ongoing collaboration with regulatory partners, the process has required both innovation and flexibility to bring the concept to life.
Looking Ahead
Now under construction at Brookridge in Winston-Salem, the EverTogether Residence is beginning to take shape physically — but the larger impact may extend well beyond a single community.
For ThriveMore, the project reflects a broader commitment to listening carefully, responding to real needs, and challenging assumptions about how care should be delivered.
Because as the panel made clear, the future of memory care will be defined by how well it supports the relationships at the heart of people’s lives.