Finding Moments That Shine
Ann’s daughter had a feeling her mother, a memory care resident at Jeffrey & Susan Brudnick Center for Living, would not engage in group activities.
“She probably won’t want to participate,” Tracy told the staff. “But please try.” So they did.
The staff started slowly, meeting Ann where she was and giving her time to feel comfortable. She formed trusting relationships with Coney, a CNA; Stella, an RN; and other members of the Clarendon staff. Little by little, Ann began saying yes.
She agreed to have her nails painted. She quietly held her rosary beads and joined the group in prayer. With the help of Coney and her daughter, she enjoyed a luxurious bath in the soaker tub. Later, she sang along with live entertainment and helped plant flowers in her patio garden.
None of these moments may seem extraordinary on their own. But for someone experiencing memory loss, they can represent something profound: connection, choice, dignity and the opportunity to remain an active participant in life.
That is the essence of the Kaleidoscope program. Chelsea Jewish Lifecare’s approach to caring for residents experiencing memory loss across its assisted living and nursing homes.
Focus Is on the Person, Not the Diagnosis
For Susan LeClaire, PAC Certified Dementia Trainer and Director of Memory Care for Chelsea Jewish Lifecare, the residents are the staff’s number one priority. “Our focus is on the person, not on the diagnosis,” explained LeClaire.
Kaleidoscope is built around seven elements of best practices in dementia care: person-centered living; organizational commitment to excellence; care coordination; advanced staff training and competency; family education and support; a safe and supportive environment; and engaging experiences.
Together, these elements share a simple but powerful goal: helping residents live with dignity, security and as much independence as possible while continuing to experience meaningful moments each day.
Meeting People Where They Are
Memory loss can affect much more than memory. Residents may have difficulty with familiar routines, finding the right words, understanding language or knowing where and when they are. These changes can bring frustration, fear, loneliness and social isolation.
Kaleidoscope recognizes that the answer is not simply to do things for residents. Instead, specially trained staff learn how to support residents in doing as much as they can for themselves.
Through individualized routines, cueing and specialized communication techniques, caregivers build relationships and create a sense of predictability and trust.
Staff are also trained to use Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Care, which emphasizes making a connection before attempting a task. A respectful greeting, eye-level contact, supportive positioning and permission-based touch can transform an interaction.
The Music We Remember
Some of the most powerful connections come through music.
LeClaire explained that musical memories often remain accessible longer than many other types of memory. A resident who rarely speaks may still sing when a familiar song begins. Music can unlock memories and emotions—even when the words of everyday conversation have become difficult to find.
Animal therapy can have a similar effect, providing sensory, emotional and social stimulation without requiring residents to communicate verbally.
And the most meaningful experiences are not always planned activities. They may happen spontaneously: a song, a garden, a conversation, a shared smile, a favorite meal or a walk outdoors.
Small Victories, Big Meaning
Harold, for example, walks 50 laps around the patio every day, rain or shine. He tends the garden, feeds the birds and gathers flowers and colorful leaves to brighten the spaces of his housemates. In winter, he bundles up to build a snowman.
He also finds ways to give back, helping fellow residents with art projects and flower arranging and sometimes reading to them at bedtime.
Staff encouraged Nancy, another memory care resident, to feed herself at mealtimes. She was able to partially regain her ability to feed herself using her right hand. Staff also supported her as she selected flowers and carefully arranged them in a vase.
For her son, watching that progress has brought immense happiness.
“Success can be as simple—and as meaningful—as feeding yourself, planting a flower or singing a familiar song,” LeClaire stressed
Caring for the Caregivers
Creating these moments begins with staff who understand dementia and feel confident supporting those who live with it.
Kaleidoscope dementia training begins with new employee orientation and includes an eight-hour dementia education program and the Virtual Dementia Tour, which helps staff experience some of the challenges of living with dementia. Employees then shadow experienced nurses, CNAs or Shabazz mentors before working independently.
Advanced training continues, including Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Care Champion program. Chelsea Jewish Lifecare is also developing standardized measures based on the seven Kaleidoscope elements to evaluate practices and strengthen dementia care across its communities.
Susan noted that how proud she is seeing staff put what they have learned into practice.
“I am energized and inspired whenever I see our staff putting their Champion skills into practice with residents,” she said. “The self-esteem and confidence they gain from these experiences speak volumes.”
Seeing What Is Still Possible
Kaleidoscope requires families and caregivers to look at memory loss through a different lens.
Like a kaleidoscope, which transforms individual pieces into something beautiful, the program recognizes that every resident is more than a diagnosis. Each person is made up of a lifetime of experiences, relationships, preferences and memories—and even as some memories fade, much remains.
For Ann, Harold and Nancy, there are many small moments like songs to sing, flowers to plant, gardens to tend and hands to hold. But sometimes, especially in memory care, small moments are where life shines the brightest.
