When Garry first considered memory care for his wife Marcia, who lives with dementia, he wondered how she would adjust. But what he found at Villa at Terracina located on the Terracina Senior Living campus in Naples, FL, a community managed by The Goodman Group, was a place where Marcia could find comfort, friendship and freedom.

“What gave me hope, is the fact that when Marcia moved here, immediately people surrounded her and bonded with her,” Garry shares. “When I actually went to leave, she didn’t say ‘Take me with you, where are you going?’ and that made me feel very good.”

The "Saying Yes" Philosophy

“When someone is at home and you are trying to take care of them, you have to say no a lot,” Garry explains. “No, you can't go out the door. No, you can't go downstairs. No, you can't do this. Here, no one is saying no. I just see that she is much more calm and relaxed.”

Modern memory care communities embrace what experts call the "saying yes" philosophy which is entering the resident's reality rather than correcting or redirecting them. This approach recognizes that residents with memory loss need environments where they can move freely and make choices without constant restrictions.

For Marcia, she has always had a very active lifestyle. At Villa at Terracina Grand, the building is constructed with a circular design to allow residents who like to walk, the freedom to do so. “If she wants to walk around here, all day long, all night long, she can do it.”

Walking plays an important role in supporting cognitive health and emotional well-being for those living with dementia. When residents can move freely in a safe environment, they experience less frustration and greater peace of mind.

Friendship in Memory Care

While Marcia is no longer able to communicate very well, she has formed a meaningful friendship with another memory care resident at the community who also enjoys walking. For Garry, watching this connection develop has been deeply comforting.

“When I was here for dinner, her friend walked by and she wanted to go walk with her rather than be with me at the end of dinner,” Garry shares. 

Garry laughs about being replaced, but he means it when he says it makes him feel great. "You know that she's comfortable that she is not clinging to me saying 'Take me home.' So that made me feel good."

Social connection and friendship programs are important components of quality memory care. At communities managed by The Goodman Group, residents participate in intergenerational activities, music therapy programs and innovative sensory technologies that foster meaningful connections.

These relationships with fellow residents, team members or visiting community partners, help combat the isolation that dementia can bring and provide moments of joy and recognition throughout each day.

Finding the Right Path Forward

If you are considering memory care for a loved one, having conversations with your loved one about their care requires compassion and patience. Working closely with the care team, bringing familiar items from home and maintaining regular visits can help your loved one feel supported during the transition.

Know that the transition can bring unexpected blessings. Like Garry found, the right memory care community can provide your loved one with safety, dignity, friendship and a renewed sense of calm.