The Center for Advanced Memory Care is Hudson Valley’s Only Montessori Credentialed Specialized Care Center for people living with Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Primarily focused on Dementia and Alzheimer’s Care, the specially trained clinical team at the Center for Advanced Memory Care conducts a comprehensive assessment of each resident upon admittance to design an individualized approach to enhance their cognitive abilities and maintain the highest quality of life. Comprehensive care includes therapy for behavioral and mental health issues often associated with dementia, such as depression. Drawing upon the clinical capabilities of the entire ArchCare system, the Center for Advanced Memory Care is well-equipped to care for individuals with multiple clinical conditions. At the root of the Center’s clinical approach is a partnership with the distinctive Montessori Method to promote autonomy, self-confidence, and overall wellbeing.

The MIL program was created by the Center for Applied Research in Dementia (CARD) after one of its founders, Dr. Cameron Camp, adapted Dr. Maria Montessori’s principles for older adults with dementia. Guided by CARD, staff learned how to implement the Montessori principles of equality, dignity, and respect in their community. Staff were trained to empower residents with memory impairment to be as independent as possible. This is achieved through tapping into each resident’s remaining strengths, designing environments where they can thrive, and helping them find purposeful activities and meaningful roles within their community.

Communities effectively using Montessori principles, such as the Center for Advanced Memory Care, benefit from healthier and happier residents, fewer medications, less responsive behaviors, increased family satisfaction, and improved employee retention and census. Located on 36 park-like acres of the former Astor family estate in historic Rhinebeck, serving the Hudson Valley and beyond, the Center for Advanced Memory Care enhances independent living. Gold Level accredited organizations have met all Bronze and Silver Level target milestones in addition to the following:

• Information regarding engaging the resident effectively is readily available for all staff interacting with the resident, and a system is in place to update that information.
• Job descriptions and staff evaluations reflect MIL values and principles.
• Management staff have attended four hours of advanced MIL training, while credentialed staff have attended eight or more hours in MLI from CARD.
• At least one exemplary and innovative achievement in applying MIL principles must be demonstrated.
• To meet each level of credentialing, the community has successfully completed a half-day CARD site visit. Based on observations and feedback from the CARD site visit, an action plan is developed for achieving any unmet criteria, as well as sustaining and expanding MIL within the community

“With an emphasis on enhancing independence and quality of life, ArchCare at Ferncliff offers residential, skilled nursing services for those requiring 24-hour care in a traditional nursing home setting, short-term rehabilitation that eases the transition from hospital to home following a serious illness, injury or surgery, and the Hudson Valley’s only specialized care center for people with neurodegenerative disorders such as Huntington’s disease and ALS.

ArchCare is the Continuing Care Community of the Archdiocese of New York, and one of the nation’s largest and most dynamic Catholic healthcare systems. ArchCare provides quality care to thousands of people of all faiths through its home and community-based and residential care programs, including health plans and nursing home alternatives, adult day care, long-term skilled nursing care, short-term rehabilitation, home care, assisted living, hospice, an acute care specialty hospital and services for people with Huntington’s disease, HIV/AIDS, developmental disabilities, and other specialized care needs.