Holbrook Health Center’s commitment to innovative memory care hasn’t gone unnoticed. During its Celebrating Excellence Awards ceremony on September 26, the Maine Health Care Association gave Piper Shores dedicated skilled nursing facility its Innovative Programming Award for Memory Care Planning and Development. Holbrook, part of the Piper Shores lifecare retirement community in Scarborough, began its memory care initiative in 2011. It formed a task force, adopted Virtual Dementia Tour® (VDT) technology, and trained 150 employees with it. Created by Second Wind Dreams®, VDT simulates psychological, emotional and physiological symptoms of dementia to help caregivers walk in the shoes of someone living with the disease.
“Dementia afflicts both independent living residents at Piper Shores and nursing home residents at Holbrook, alike,” said Peggy Farmington, Piper Shores Administrator. Farrington recently attended an elite training and certification course in dementia care in Las Vegas, NV, hosted by the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners. She is among only four Certified Dementia Practitioners in Maine.
First Lady of Maine Ann LePage with Peggy Farrington and Ginny Ketch of Piper Shores accept the Maine Health Care Association Award for Innovative Programming at Holbrook Health Center.
