Promise House is an Assisted Living program that provides specialized care for individuals living with Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia. What sets Promise House apart is its dedication to creating a supportive environment that closely resembles a “family-style” home rather than an institutional setting. The design of the facility reflects this philosophy by offering a duplex-style building, with each unit housing just ten tenants. Every unit is thoughtfully equipped with its own common area, kitchen, dining spaces, laundry, and central bathing area, ensuring that residents’ daily needs are met in a comfortable and familiar atmosphere. Each tenant enjoys the privacy of their own room, complete with two closets and a private bathroom, contributing both to dignity and ease of living.
A distinctive feature of Promise House is the presence of unique Memory Boxes outside each resident’s room. These boxes can be filled with personal items that are significant and familiar to the individual, fostering a sense of connection and aiding in memory recall. The environment is carefully crafted to minimize confusion, reduce overstimulation, and limit the number of decisions residents must make, which contributes greatly to their comfort and stability. This kind of thoughtfully structured setting not only helps residents feel at home but may also assist in slowing the progression of symptoms compared to more traditional care facilities.
At Promise House, care is approached from a social rather than a strictly medical model. The emphasis is on nurturing each individual’s abilities and promoting self-sufficiency and self-esteem through everyday routines and activities. Staff members work personally with tenants to encourage participation in daily life, whether that means assisting with preparing breakfast at whatever time suits the individual or involving them in routine tasks like selecting food or setting the table. This approach fosters independence by maintaining skills developed over a lifetime while providing the support residents need to feel safe and valued.
A cornerstone of Promise House’s care delivery is its innovative staffing model featuring the Universal Worker. Rather than separating tasks among different employees, Universal Workers are trained with a combination of homemaking and caregiving skills specifically tailored to residents with dementia. Depending upon the needs of the group, each unit is assigned one or two Universal Workers during any shift. These staff members not only provide assistance with daily activities but also facilitate social and recreational programming, building community within the unit. Through this consistent, comprehensive approach, Promise House is able to provide a secure, nurturing, and engaging environment that enhances the quality of life for residents at every stage of Alzheimer’s Disease.
