- February 8, 2025
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The community of Port Orange's Grace Manor, which provides assisted living and memory care, recently received a National Institute of Dementia Education certification.
Staff members have to go through training to receive the individual certifications and there are only two new employees who are in the middle of their certifications, according to Grace Manor Community Relations Director Joe Germain.
Germain, who received his NIDE certification on June 14, said the certification shows that the staff understands how dementia works and what care is needed for their residents. He said everyone that works there has to go through the classes to be certified. He added it's also a way to understand the demographic they're serving while also learning that care related to the disease is always changing.
"That's what really sets us apart from other communities, Germain said. "We've changed a lot on how we view what we do."
One part of Grace Manor's focus on dementia is through the Memory Care community, which reopened after a period of being closed for refurbishments. The facility, reopened when Germain started about six months ago, has a new design that is meant to help patients with dementia.
A subtle yet useful change that took place was the color of the walls, which stick to a yellow, tan or green color scheme. Though it may seem like just a new paint job, the colors were chosen to help residents with Alzheimer's. People with Alzheimer's have been known to experience more loss of color perception than another individuals without the disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.
However, Germain said yellows, tans and greens are usually the last to go from the sight of someone with the disease.
Residents at Grace Manor also have shadow boxes in from of their doors to help them with memories of their past. The boxes could include photos of loved ones they may have trouble remembering.
Germain said the assisted living facility, which currently has 31 residents, will also be having more programs for residents coming up. The "Some Enchanted Evening" event in November will take a wholistic approach to health care wellness by providing residents with access to information about alternative treatments, such as Reiki and essential oils.
When it comes to plans for the future of Grace Manor, Germain said it's all about being there for their residents.
"Our approach to caring for residents is that we work in their home, they don't live where we work ," Germain said. "We're just grateful to be here to take care of amazing people ."
