Bridges by Epoch at Westwood Awarded Purple Flag for Dementia Care

WALTHAM, Mass. – EPOCH Senior Living, a premier provider of exceptional senior living services throughout the Northeast, announces that its memory care assisted living facility, Bridges® by EPOCH in Westwood has earned the Purple Flag for Dementia Care™ accreditation. Purple Flag for Dementia Care™ is an accreditation program that recognizes excellence in caring for people living with Alzheimer's Disease and other dementias. Upon receiving the accreditation, providers receive the distinctive purple flag to fly proudly.

EPOCH Senior Living and the Connecticut Assisted Living Association (CALA) recognized the achievement with a Purple Flag ceremony on March 26 attended by company and local officials ending in the raising of the Purple Flag.

“This was very important to EPOCH Senior Living and to me personally,’’ said Laurie Gerber, Chairperson of EPOCH Senior Living. “When my husband started this company, his mission was to provide high quality care to seniors, especially those with dementia. Receiving the Purple Flag recognizes the high-quality care that EPOCH provides across all its memory care buildings. We are proud to receive this important designation, which sets us apart in the level of care we provide.’’

The honors come following an extensive audit of each community and the ways they embrace best practices in memory care.

“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.”

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®. In 2023, there were more than 800,000 residents living in 30,500 assisted living communities in the U.S. An estimated 6.7 million Americans aged 65 and older were living with Alzheimer's in 2023.

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 Westwood for their continual quality improvement efforts in resident safety and quality of care.”

Bridges at Westwood joins other Epoch Senior Living properties across New England who have received the Purple Flag designation.

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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 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), the Connecticut Assisted Living Association (CALA), and the Alzheimer’s Association® Connecticut Chapter in an advisory capacity. Upon approval, providers receive the distinctive purple flag as a symbol that communicates their commitment to leadership in the field of memory care.