(Photo courtesy of Purple Flag for Dementia Care)
The Purple Flag Excellence in Dementia Care program was originally developed to recognize and certify facilities with dedicated memory care units, but has now expanded to include assisted living, home care, and hospice care. .
The Connecticut-based program will have four different purple flags to recognize excellence in dementia care.
“We recognized that these three additional settings and provider types could also be helpful for people living with dementia, cognitive decline, and memory loss,” said Richards, CEO of the Purple Flag Excellence in Dementia Care Program and a member of Connecticut Living. said Christopher Carter, president of the support association. “Current Purple Flag providers who understand the benefits of the program and also serve expanded areas are excited to see how our standards of excellence in dementia care can reach more people through these additional settings. It helped me understand what would be beneficial.”
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics, 44% of assisted living residents have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia. And with the “explosion” of medical and non-medical home care agencies, Carter told McKnight Senior Living that an increased focus on memory care needs and training is ” It is desperately needed.”
“As demand for all four types of providers increases, consumers are becoming more aware that providers are actively pursuing certification and are striving for excellence in the field of memory care,” he said. I felt that they would feel at ease and accept me.”
Since its inception in 2019 as a collaboration between the Institute for Senior Living Education and CALA, the program has flown more than 32 Purple Flags in three states: Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. Its footprint has expanded to Maryland, Delaware, and Washington, DC through collaboration with LifeSpan Network.
Purple Flag designation requires communities and organizations to meet quality of life and standards. To become a Purple Flag Dementia Care Organization of Excellence, each care provider must meet 10 best practice program standards.
