Gretchen Pace began her career in Alzheimer’s care at Golden LivingCenters, building a foundation in dementia support before moving into business development at Aperion Care. As Director of Memory Care, she now designs resident-centered programs, trains staff in dementia care and promotes meaningful daily engagement.
Innovative Memory Care Programs Empowering Residents
At Aperion Care, I design and implement programs for our memory care units and train staff on communication techniques and care approaches tailored to residents living with dementia. My goal is to give care teams the tools and understanding they need to support each resident based on their cognitive abilities, interests, and life history.This reflects my philosophy, which centers on dignity, connection, and meaningful engagement.
Keeping that approach consistent across teams and shifts is one of the most important parts of the job. Resident needs change day to day, and staff dynamics are always evolving, so consistency starts with how well we know our residents. We invest in learning about each resident in real time, including their work history, hobbies, families, and personal preferences, so care teams can engage them in meaningful ways throughout the day. This knowledge becomes the foundation for everything we do.
We’ve introduced several initiatives to bring this into practice. Our Montessori-based programs encourage independence and purposeful engagement through familiar, hands-on tasks like sorting, folding, and organizing. Our music and memories program creates personalized playlists that connect residents to meaningful moments from their past, helping improve mood, reduce agitation, and encourage emotional connection.
My memory care philosophy is rooted in person-centered care, dignity and meaningful engagement.
Family-style dining has also been an important addition. Creating a more home-like setting during meals encourages social interaction, supports independence, and helps maintain dignity. We also use memory boxes outside residents’ rooms, filled with personal photos and meaningful items, to help residents recognize their space, reduce confusion, and reinforce their sense of identity. They often become natural conversation starters as well.
Daily activities focus on small-group and one-on-one engagement, encouraging socialization, sensory stimulation, and movement. I believe behaviors are a form of communication and strive to respond with compassion, aiming to build real connections and bring a smile to each resident.
Enhancing Care through Compassionate Family Engagement
Supporting families is equally important in memory care, as the journey can be just as emotional and overwhelming for them. I address this through open, consistent communication, which includes updates, care plan meetings and being available to discuss changes in behavior or progression.
I also meet with families one-on-one, drawing on my training to help them understand what their loved ones are experiencing and recommending books or articles that can support them through the care journey.
When a resident directs their frustration to the family members, I find that giving families a structured activity to do together shifts the dynamic completely. When a resident is engaged alongside their loved one, visits go far more smoothly and families feel genuinely connected.
Integrated Therapeutic Technologies Supporting Care
In memory care, I believe technology and innovative approaches should enhance the resident experience while helping staff deliver more personalized support. Through our partnership with Eugeria, a company focused on dementia-specific therapeutic technologies, we’ve introduced several interactive tools into our programming.
On some of our units, we use the Tovertafel, an interactive projector that creates games on tables or floors to encourage movement, social interaction, and cognitive engagement across different stages of dementia. We also use CRDL, a musical care instrument that turns touch into sound, allowing residents to engage in calming, intuitive music experiences, even when verbal communication is limited. Another tool we’ve introduced is the HUG, a therapeutic device designed to provide comfort and reduce anxiety.
What I’ve seen is that bringing in new technology only works when it’s paired with strong staff understanding. It’s not just about knowing how to use a tool, but understanding why it works for a specific resident. The two go hand in hand, and investing in both technology and staff education leads to better outcomes.
We’re also always looking ahead. Right now, I’m exploring television-based platforms that could offer more personalized content for residents throughout the day. I try to stay open to new ideas and technologies that can meaningfully improve the experience for the people we serve.
Building Strong Teams to Deliver Compassionate Care
While technology plays an important role, the foundation of effective memory care lies in the strength of the care team. If I could offer one piece of hard-earned advice to a fellow memory care leader, it would be to invest in your team, give them a strong understanding of dementia, and help them recognize that behaviors are a form of communication.
When staff understand residents’ actions, they respond with empathy and patience. With the right support, education, and tools, teams gain confidence, improving care delivery and the environment.
It’s vital to see residents beyond a diagnosis. When teams learn each resident’s story and abilities, care becomes more personal and connected. Strong programs are built on compassion, education, and teamwork, supporting both residents and staff.
My approach to memory care is based on person-centered care, dignity and meaningful engagement.
