Waterstone on High Ridge Celebrates 1-Year Anniversary

Stamford Ct.– EPOCH Senior Living, a premier provider of exceptional senior living services throughout the Northeast, recently announced that its three Connecticut communities earned the Purple Flag for Dementia Care™ accreditation. The Connecticut Assisted Living Association (CALA) awarded Waterstone on High Ridge, along with Bridges® by EPOCH at Norwalk and Bridges® by EPOCH at Trumbull, with the accreditation. The honors come following an extensive audit of each community and the ways they embrace best practices in memory care.

The team at Waterstone on High Ridge, joined by representatives from CALA and several local dignitaries, raised the Purple Flag for Dementia Care™ during a special ceremony held during the community’s one-year anniversary celebration on Flag Day, June 14, 2023.

Bridges® by EPOCH at Trumbull’s ceremony will be held on Thursday, June 22, at 4 p.m. and First Selectman Vicki A. Tesoro will be in attendance. Bridges® by EPOCH at Norwalk’s ceremony will be held on Monday, June 26, at 3:30 p.m. and Mayor Harry Rilling will be in attendance. If interested in attending any of these events, please reach out to Adele Pepin, VP of Marketing and Communications.

“This accreditation signifies us as a leader in the field of memory care,” said Joanna Cormac Burt, Chief Operating Officer of EPOCH Senior Living. “Our team members are trained to deliver expert care and personalized services that create the most rewarding, secure and nurturing lifestyle possible for our residents living with dementia. We’re thankful for CALA’s work to continue enhancing the lives of seniors and their families, and we couldn’t be prouder of the work our team does daily. We also look forward to expanding this Purple Flag accreditation to all Bridges® by EPOCH locations beyond Connecticut in the very near future.”

Of the top 10 causes of death, Alzheimer’s disease is the only one death that currently cannot be prevented, cured or slowed. An estimated 6 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease. That number is projected to rise to nearly 13 million by 2050 according to the Alzheimer’s Association®.

One of the goals of the Purple Flag for Dementia Care™ program is to educate consumers by presenting a tool that identifies current best practices and a process of evaluating those practices. During the auditing process, each community submits documentation and materials to demonstrate best practices in care programs and conformance with the requirements of each of 60 practice recommendations across 10 content areas.

The Purple Flag for Dementia Care™ accreditation standards, which make up a quality framework and specific elements of care programs, are considered essential and valuable in making a difference in the care of people living with dementia.

“We’re proud to have the Purple Flag for Dementia Care™ flying high at these communities,” said Christopher Carter, Chief Executive Officer, CALA. “They have demonstrated great leadership not only in memory care, but also in the field of senior living. EPOCH Senior Living’s leadership as an early adopter of the standards of excellence required for Purple Flag accreditation showcases their passion and commitment to best practices. We hope this accreditation award continues to raise awareness of the Purple Flag for Dementia Care™ initiative as we commend Bridges® by EPOCH at Norwalk, Bridges® by EPOCH at Trumbull, and Waterstone on High Ridge for their continual quality improvement efforts in resident safety and quality of care.”

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About EPOCH Senior Living

Waltham-based EPOCH Senior Living has been a leader in New England senior living since 1997. Known for delivering outstanding experiences and purpose-built properties, the organization currently operates 11 Bridges® by EPOCH communities and five Waterstone Senior Living communities throughout the Northeast. EPOCH is committed to providing premier residences, high-touch services and wellness opportunities that enable seniors to enjoy comfortable, healthy and dignified lifestyles in gracious settings.

Bridges® by EPOCH is New England's largest stand-alone memory care assisted living provider.

About the Purple Flag for Dementia Care™

Purple Flag for Dementia Care™ is an accreditation program developed to recognize excellence and drive continual improvement in the quality of services provided by those who care for individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Purple Flag for Dementia Care™ originated through a collaboration between the Institute for Senior Living Education (ISLE) and the Connecticut Assisted Living Association (CALA). Upon approval, providers receive the distinctive purple flag as a symbol that communicates their commitment to leadership in the field of memory care.