Bridges by EPOCH has earned the distinction for caring for people living with Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias.
ANDOVER, MA – Bridges by EPOCH, a memory care assisted living facility in Andover, has earned the Purple Flag for Dementia Care accreditation.
Purple Flag for Dementia Care is an accreditation program that recognizes excellence in caring for people living with Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias, according to a statement from Bridges.
EPOCH Senior Living and the Connecticut Assisted Living Association recognized the achievement with a Purple Flag ceremony on March 20 attended by company and local officials and the fire department ending in the raising of the Purple Flag.
“This was very important to EPOCH Senior Living and to me personally,’’ Laurie Gerber, Chairperson of EPOCH Senior Living, said in a statement. “When my husband started this company, his mission was to provide high quality care to seniors, especially those with dementia. Receiving the Purple Flag recognizes the high-quality care that EPOCH provides across all its memory care buildings. We are proud to receive this important designation, which sets us apart in the level of care we provide.’’
An estimated 6 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease. That number is projected to rise to nearly 13 million by 2050 according to the Alzheimer’s Association. In 2023, there were more than 800,000 residents living in 30,500 assisted living communities in the U.S. An estimated 6.7 million Americans aged 65 and older were living with Alzheimer’s in 2023.
One of the goals of the Purple Flag for Dementia Care program is to educate consumers by presenting a tool that identifies current best practices and a process of evaluating those practices. During the auditing process, each community submits documentation and materials to demonstrate best practices in care programs and conformance with the requirements of each of 60 practice recommendations across 10 content areas.
The Purple Flag for Dementia Care accreditation standards, which make up a quality framework and specific elements of care programs, are considered essential and valuable in making a difference in the care of people living with dementia, according to Bridges’ statement.