Assisted Living "Community" not "Facility"

I just read James Lee 's post about the changes we need to make in the memory care solutions we offer here in the United States, and it really got me thinking. Fresh off a personal visit to the Dementia Village in Amsterdam, James challenges us to rethink the way we approach dementia care here in the United States. Look him up here on LinkedIn and read more about his trip and his thoughts.

What struck me and what I'm inspired to share about are the additional tweaks we can make to make our communities feel and sound less like a facility.

When I started out in this industry nine years ago, I went through a thorough sales training. It was engrained in us that "facility" is a no-no word. We never say Assisted Living "Facility." We are implored to refer to ourselves as a "Community." Why? Because of the feeling and perception those words elicit. Would you rather move to a facility or a community?

James says, "In assisted living and particularly in dementia care, there is a common saying that they have created a “home-like” environment." He goes on to ask:

"Do you tell your neighbors that your house is “pet friendly”?"

"Do you orient your own life around an “activity calendar”?"

"Do you schedule your day based on a balance of “dimensions of wellness”?"

"Do you consider your own home to be “home like”?"

This really got me thinking! These need to be added to the no-no word list! The industry may have adopted the change from facility to community, but we can take this a step further. The community is where we work but for residents, it's their home. Let's use words that create a feeling of home.

I'd love to hear how you'd rephrase the no-no words above to make your community less like a facility and more like home.