It’s crucial to have your memory care community present itself as a comfortable, safe space for current and potential residents. What can you do to make sure that they have the space to live, thrive, and most importantly - feel at home?

‍

In this interview with Lucas McCurdy, The Bridge Group Construction’s President, all of these questions are answered and more so that you can best address your memory care space.

‍

Q: What Are Some Specialized Construction Considerations Used in Memory Care Communities?

‍

Doing work inside a memory care community, it is of the utmost importance to have a great plan and a great team in place because of the nature of the care that is taking place. You have people with some cognitive challenges, and it is a very sensitive area that everybody who steps foot into that space needs to be hyper-aware of what is going on. So a phasing plan, a safety plan, and an entry and exit plan are of the utmost importance well before you start the project.

‍

Q: Are There Any Emerging Trends in Memory Care Community Construction?

‍

Creating an environment inside your memory care community is a great chance for you to meet your residents where they are. An environment where they feel safe, where they can thrive, and where they have purpose. That may be through different sensory exercises, and that may be through programming certain areas of your memory care. All of this, paired with a great designer and a great contractor, can help bring this project to a very successful place where memory care residents can live and thrive.

Q: What Goes Into Transitioning an Assisted or Independent Living Space to Memory Care?

‍

When purchasing a value-add acquisition, oftentimes these communities or properties can bring forth a great opportunity to take an existing wing of an assisted living complex and convert it to memory care. This can be challenging, and so it's very, very important you understand the local regulations. Also, work with the state licensing board to make sure that what you are doing is going to be in compliance. The best way to do that is to work with a great architect, interior designer, and contractor who's very familiar with all these aspects. It can be a great opportunity in 2024 to bring a different value back to your marketplace by adding memory care to your existing community.

‍

Q: How Does Your Team Prepare for Working in a Memory Care Setting?

‍

Safety and professionalism from all of your vendors go a long way when conducting yourself inside a memory care community. It's so important that you understand the nuances of this susceptible population. It's also important to have pre-planning before you do any project so that everybody gets on the same page about how they enter and exit these spaces. How is your project run, what is the phasing plan, what type of tools, and what type of material products are going to be used in these spaces? Working hand in hand with the operator, the executive director, and the care staff will go a long way in assuring a successful renovation project in a memory care setting.

‍

Q: What’s a Memory Care Project You’ve Completed Recently That You Can Highlight?

‍

The renovation and community update we conducted and completed at Querencia Barton Creek was a beauty. It is amazing to go and see the before and after photos of these spaces to see what can be accomplished in a memory care community. Taking these spaces and transitioning them into a home-like setting can go a long way for the care and for the residents that live there to make them feel comfortable, safe, and at home.

‍

Q: Why Is It Important to Renovate Your Memory Care Community?

‍

Stop losing residents to the competition down the street. Having a brand new or freshly renovated memory care is going to go a long way in your marketplace for attracting those clients. When people come to your community on a tour, how does your memory care present itself? 2024 is a great year to revitalize these spaces, to offer up a great place for your existing residents to live and thrive, and to attract new residents.

‍

Here at The Bridge Group Construction, senior living is why we exist. We love what we do. We love the time we get to spend inside your community, as well as the stories, the residents, and the staff that we get to meet. Renovations inside an open operating senior living community are not for everyone. We specialize in doing just that. Call us today at (214) 205-4155 or reach out to us at our website https://www.thebridgegc.com/contact to get your community updated today.