When a loved one begins to experience memory loss, families are often met with emotional decisions, unfamiliar terms, and an urgent need for trustworthy care. Choosing the right memory care community can feel overwhelming, but one factor matters more than any other: the people who provide the care.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, the most important determinant of quality dementia care is the direct care staff. The Arbors and The Ivy has invested in comprehensive, compassionate, and specialized dementia training for every member of our memory care teams. Our staff members go beyond state-required training to deliver person-centered care rooted in empathy, communication, and trust.
Whether you’re seeking dementia care specialists in Massachusetts or Connecticut, The Arbors and The Ivy offers experience, education, and heart.
What does a dementia care specialist do?
Dementia care specialists are trained to support residents living with Alzheimer’s disease or other types of memory loss. These specialists include nurses, wellness staff, care aides, activity directors, and leadership teams who receive focused, ongoing dementia education.
Our memory care specialists:
- Assist residents through every stage of dementia, adapting care as needs evolve
- Provide hands-on help with daily routines like grooming, dining, and mobility, all with dignity and patience
- Engage residents in personalized activities to support memory, encourage movement, and bring joy
- Use calming strategies to address agitation or confusion without relying on medication
- Create a warm, secure environment that helps residents feel safe, connected, and respected
- Communicate frequently with families to collaborate on care plans and keep everyone involved
“The key to a great memory care program is staff who take the time to engage residents within their own capabilities to make each moment and each day enjoyable and successful,” says Carrie Wilson, director of Reflections at The Ivy at Ellington. “Each person with dementia is unique, so all of the learned training gets applied uniquely to each individual.”
Dementia care training requirements in Massachusetts and Connecticut
Both Massachusetts and Connecticut require specialized training for memory care professionals. In Massachusetts, dementia care specialists in long-term care communities and dementia care units must:
- Complete a minimum of eight hours of dementia-specific training within their first 90 days on the job.
- Participate in at least four hours of dementia-related education every year.
In Connecticut, according to the state’s Department of Public Health, staff in Alzheimer’s special care units must complete:
- A minimum of eight hours of dementia-specific training within 120 days of being hired, followed by ongoing annual dementia training.
- At least two hours of training each year focused on recognizing signs of pain and implementing appropriate pain management strategies.
These regulations create a baseline for safe, informed care. But true excellence comes from exceeding the minimum. At The Arbors and The Ivy, that is exactly what happens.
Understanding memory care certification
When evaluating memory care communities, one term families often hear is “memory care certification.” While there is no single national certification program that applies to all memory care providers, states like Massachusetts and Connecticut do require communities to meet specific licensing and training standards in order to operate a dementia care program.
What does memory care certification mean?
Certified memory care refers to communities that meet or exceed their state’s requirements for:
- Staff training in dementia-specific care
- Safety and security protocols for residents with cognitive impairment
- Structured daily activities tailored to residents’ cognitive needs
- Environmental design elements that support orientation and reduce confusion
- Family engagement in care planning and communication
Our Reflections program operates in full compliance with both Massachusetts and Connecticut requirements for special care units. But more importantly, our staff receive additional dementia-specific education, mentorship, and hands-on training beyond the minimum guidelines. This includes topics such as:
- Advanced communication techniques for residents living with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia
- Strategies for de-escalating distress without medication
- Supporting residents through transitions and behavioral changes
- Creating meaningful, therapeutic routines that reflect each resident’s abilities and preferences
Memory care certification ensures a baseline of safety, but our program reflects a deeper, ongoing commitment to excellence in dementia support.
What makes memory care at The Arbors and The Ivy different?
Our Reflections memory care programs in both Massachusetts and Connecticut are built on a foundation of person-centered care. This approach treats each resident as an individual, not a diagnosis, and tailors care plans to honor their life story, routines, and communication style.
Training here is more than a checkbox. It includes:
- Advanced education in sensory and behavioral approaches
- Non-pharmacological strategies to reduce anxiety and agitation
- Emphasis on ongoing collaboration with family members
- Real-time learning through mentorship, supervision, and team communication
- Emotional intelligence and cultural sensitivity in resident interactions
“Our staff get extensive, additional, ongoing training on dementia, assisting residents in different stages, and how different approaches work for different people,” Wilson explains. “Engaging residents in meaningful activities throughout the day is essential.”
This is echoed by Talin Ganemian, Reflections Memory Program director at The Arbors at Westfield:
“The right memory care community will make a huge difference in the family’s life as well as the resident. The resident and their family members will come to trust the staff as if they are part of the family.”
The role of families in quality dementia care
One of the most important components of our memory care philosophy is family inclusion. We view families as an essential part of the care team, not just visitors.
We encourage consistent communication, regular updates, and open conversations about changes in condition, preferences, and care plans. Our teams take the time to get to know each resident’s background, daily habits, and personality, which are details that families help us understand and preserve.
“Look for a caring, energetic, down-to-earth, knowledgeable, communicative, and honest staff,” Wilson says. “They need to know their job, do their job, care for your loved one as well or better than you would, engage your loved one in meaningful activities, and communicate with you every step of the way.”
Our impact in action
“The Arbors at Dracut has become not only a wonderful home for our mother, but a warm, supportive place for our family. Mom has been at The Arbors since it opened in 2017. We can attest to the amazing, top-level, highly qualified staff. Residents are treated with the utmost respect, dignity, and love… If you are seeking an inviting assisted living/memory care facility and dedicated staff, put The Arbors at Dracut at the top of your list.”
—Julie O. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Find support from trained dementia care specialists in Connecticut and Massachusetts
When searching for dementia care specialists in Massachusetts or Connecticut, look for more than credentials. Look for a culture of compassion, communication, and collaboration. At The Arbors and The Ivy, you will find staff who are not only well-trained but deeply invested in each resident’s well-being.
To learn more about our approach, reach out to our team at 860.698.8613 or online. We’re here to help you and your loved one take the next step together.