The transformation of Episcopal Church Home’s Memory Care Assisted Living community households provides residents with a home in which they can enjoy the highest quality of life possible—that offers a safe, engaging, and enriching environment, no matter what level of assistance they may need. 

Episcopal Church Home’s Memory Care Assisted Living offers residents personalized care, a sense of community and belonging, enhanced accessibility, and professional services delivered with compassion. The care is often described as “the care I wish I could provide” by family members.  Thanks to a highly trained, versatile care team, Episcopal Church Home’s care is a welcomed addition and support to our resident’s families. A dedicated group embraces the versatile-worker care model that allows them to work closely with residents and their families to create comprehensive care plans, ensuring peace of mind while placing residents' well-being at the forefront.

Consistent Care Builds Meaningful Relationships

Trained versatile workers spend more time with residents, which allows for smaller staff-to-resident ratios, provides consistent care, and fosters an increase in meaningful friendships. Several residents have shared that Episcopal Church Home (ECH) team members feel like family.

Annie Marks, a versatile worker at Episcopal Church Home, and Bryan Berman, a household coordinator.

Memory Care Spaces Feel Like Home

ECH has been well known and well respected in Greater Louisville for many years—and now, the bold new updates of its Memory Care Assisted Living households feature beautifully designed spaces that feel like home. Residents live in private suites surrounded by their belongings, connected to inviting common areas with fireplaces, cozy seating, and large scenic windows that allow for plenty of natural light.

These common spaces encourage residents to socialize, play games, and participate in activities, creating a sense of community many missed while living alone.

With the introduction of versatile workers, fewer team members enter residents’ suites—a significant comfort for those with memory impairments. Versatile workers handle most daily tasks, offering personalized, consistent care akin to having a live-in caregiver.

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A New Approach to Care

“It looks like a home,” said Austin Hyle, a versatile worker and certified medication technician. “You come in, and there's a family room with a fireplace in the kitchen that looks like someone's home. It is  much more comfortable for them to sit out and enjoy it.”

Annie Marks, another versatile worker: “I’m the main caregiver for residents throughout the day. I remind them to do things, enjoy activities with them, serve meals, and even handle light housekeeping.”

In the past, multiple staff members handled tasks like cleaning, meals, and activities, which could disorient residents. The versatile worker model consolidates these responsibilities, allowing residents to build stronger connections with fewer caregivers.

More Time with Each Resident

For Ronald Charles, another versatile worker, one of the most touching moments of his career was when a resident called him family. “A family member of a resident told me, ‘Ronald, you’re part of my family.’ It was such an honor,” he shared.

As a versatile worker, he cares for six or seven residents on a typical day, a number he and other team members say is much better than typical nursing homes. The versatile worker model allows team members to spend more quality time with residents and naturally builds closer relationships, especially for people like Ronald, whose love for older adults stems from his close relationship with his grandfather, inspiring his dedication to memory care.

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Personal Friendships with Each Resident

Before the use of versatile-worker care model, residents would see a housekeeper, and also a certified nurse assistant, as well as someone else for activities, and maybe another to help with dining, said Bryan Berman, ECH household coordinator.

“Taking the versatile worker approach has wrapped all that up into one,” Bryan said. “How that has benefited our residents the most is they are very familiar with every aspect of the resident – everything from what they like to eat, how they like their suite cleaned, and the everyday schedule of that resident.”

“Before, when we had several different people, they were seeing more faces, which could confuse residents,” he said. “But now, they treat each other more like family. Our residents have deeper relationships with our versatile workers, and our versatile workers have deeper relationships with our residents.”

Episcopal Church Home Administrator Beverly Edwards also is pleased with the change.

“I feel the versatile worker brings a piece of calmness and routine to our residents,” she said. “You're seeing the same person every day, and ultimately, they're doing everything for you–kind of like if you were to bring someone into your mother's home.”

“I love that we have versatile workers at ECH. It allows us to be very person-centered,” Beverly added.

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Residents and their families praise the food at Episcopal Church Home.

Caring For Residents Like They’re Family

ECH’s versatile-worker model has earned praise from residents and their families. “I have a very soft part in my heart for older adults,” Austin said. “I’ve always been there for my grandparents, and that mindset extends to my work here.”

“Episcopal Church Home has a great reputation,” Austin added. “And I believe part of our reputation is that we care for our residents. Family members come in daily, telling us how much they appreciate us.”

Ronald isn’t alone in being considered a family member by residents, Bryan said. “It is an honor to care for our residents so closely that they consider us a part of their extended family.”

Click below to learn about Memory Care at Episcopal Church Home.

Memory Care