At The Sanctuary, we understand that behaviors like aggression, anxiety, wandering, and agitation are often signs of unmet needs—not problems to be controlled. Our approach is built on compassion, deep understanding of dementia, and a commitment to creating a supportive and personalized environment for every resident.
A Home-Like Environment That Reduces Anxiety
Unlike large, institutional-style facilities, The Sanctuary offers a true residential environment designed for comfort and calm. Our thoughtfully designed homes eliminate long hallways and noisy common areas that often trigger confusion and fear. Instead, we provide cozy living spaces, consistent routines, and familiar surroundings—elements proven to reduce agitation and behavioral outbursts. This unique setting plays a critical role in helping residents feel safe and secure.
Personalized, Meaningful Engagement
In traditional memory care communities, engagement is often limited to structured group activities. At The Sanctuary, our residents aren’t restricted to a set calendar. Because they live in a real home, they can participate in everyday tasks that once brought them purpose.
Some residents enjoy setting the table, helping staff cook or bake, or folding laundry—just as they did in their own homes. Others find joy outside, where they can tend to raised garden beds, water plants, or blow leaves on the patio. These simple, familiar routines are more than just activities; they are powerful tools for maintaining identity, promoting independence, and reducing anxiety.
Staff That Knows Residents Deeply
With a 3:1 caregiver-to-resident ratio, our staff has the time and capacity to truly understand each resident—what calms them, what triggers them, and what brings them joy. This depth of knowledge allows us to recognize early signs of agitation and respond proactively with compassion and redirection, not restraint or sedation.
Our caregivers are trained in dementia-specific techniques and work in close collaboration with families to maintain consistency in care and routine.
Proactive and Balanced Use of Medication
Challenging behaviors are often overmedicated in traditional settings. At The Sanctuary, we use proactive medication management as just one piece of a broader care plan. By addressing the root causes of distress and fostering a calming environment, we sometimes see a reduction in the need for certain medications—helping residents stay alert, engaged, and safe.
Excellent Outcomes, Even for “Difficult Cases”
Families often come to us after exhausting options elsewhere. Many of our residents were previously labeled “too difficult” and required 24/7 private sitters in other facilities. Here, they are safe, calm, and thriving—thanks to our high-touch care model, specialized staff, and intimate setting.
Discover the Sanctuary Difference
If you’re searching for Charlotte assisted living or Charlotte memory care that truly understands and addresses the root of challenging behaviors, The Sanctuary offers a better way. Our home-like environment, personalized engagement, and compassionate care help even the most complex residents live with dignity and peace.
Falls are a major concern in any care environment, but for individuals with dementia, the risks are even more severe. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, falls are the leading cause of injury-related deaths for people with dementia. In fact, individuals with dementia are up to four times more likely to fall than those without cognitive impairments, and once a fall occurs, it can have devastating consequences for their health, independence, and quality of life.
At The Sanctuary, we understand the critical importance of fall prevention, and we take extensive precautions to ensure our residents remain safe and well-supported at all times. We’ve created an environment that minimizes risks, provides constant supervision, and incorporates advanced protocols to prevent falls and respond swiftly if they do occur. Here’s a closer look at how we work to keep our residents safe from falls.
24/7 Care and Constant Supervision
In larger, institutional facilities, residents may often find themselves out of sight of caregivers. A caregiver may be in another resident’s room, down the hall, or at a nurse’s station—leaving a vulnerable resident with little immediate assistance if they begin to stand up, wander, or attempt to move on their own. In these settings, there are simply more opportunities for falls to happen without anyone noticing.
At The Sanctuary, we have intentionally designed our homes to ensure that residents spend most of their time in common areas where caregivers are always nearby. With our high caregiver-to-resident ratio—2 caregivers for every 6 residents—our team is always within arm’s reach. This proactive approach means that caregivers can respond immediately if a resident starts to stand, move, or attempt to walk on their own. We understand that the earlier we intervene, the less likely a fall is to occur.
In addition to constant supervision throughout the day, our team checks in on residents regularly—even through the night. We know that nighttime is often a period of increased risk, so we monitor our residents’ safety during sleeping hours, too. Our commitment to 24/7 care ensures that residents are never left alone, reducing the chance of accidents happening without immediate attention.
Safety Features Designed with Dementia in Mind
When designing our homes, we prioritize safety. Many larger facilities feature long hallways, elevators, or multiple levels that can increase the chances of falls, as well as create confusion for individuals with dementia. At The Sanctuary, we’ve created a home environment that’s intuitive and easy to navigate, with an emphasis on reducing potential trip hazards.
Our homes are built with:
–Flat floors throughout, ensuring that there are no steps or transitions that could cause tripping.
–Zero-entry showers, so residents don’t have to step over a ledge, which is often a major fall risk in standard bathrooms.
–Grab bars and railings in key areas throughout the house—particularly in bathrooms and hallways—so residents can maintain their balance and have something to hold onto if needed.
–Clear floors with no rugs or other trip hazards. We keep the environment clutter-free to ensure that residents don’t encounter obstacles when walking.
By eliminating these physical risks in the environment, we can significantly reduce the likelihood of falls while also making residents feel more comfortable and at ease in their surroundings.
Specialized Equipment to Monitor High-Risk Residents
While we do everything possible to prevent falls from happening, we also recognize that some residents are at higher risk. For these individuals, we take additional precautions to ensure that falls are prevented—or if they do happen, that we can respond immediately.
We use advanced monitoring equipment, including:
–Floor, bed, and chair alarms that alert caregivers if a resident attempts to stand or get out of bed or a chair without assistance. These alarms ensure that caregivers are instantly notified if a high-risk resident is trying to move on their own, allowing for quick intervention.
–Wearable receivers for caregivers. If a resident is identified as a serious fall risk, caregivers wear devices that alert them if the floor, bed, or chair alarms are triggered. This allows them to quickly respond to the situation, even if they are in another room.
This equipment helps us stay ahead of potential issues and ensures that caregivers are always alerted to any movements that could signal a fall, even before it happens.
Unmatched Track Record for Fall Prevention
Our fall prevention protocols have yielded impressive results. We are proud to have an unmatched track record for falls at The Sanctuary. Our approach—combining constant supervision, a safe and intuitive environment, specialized equipment, and highly trained caregivers—has allowed us to significantly reduce the number of falls among our residents.
Our residents and their families often express relief at how quickly residents adjust to the safe and supportive environment we provide. The familiarity of the surroundings, combined with our vigilant care, ensures that residents can thrive while minimizing the risk of falls or injuries.
How We Respond to Falls When They Do Occur
Despite our best efforts to prevent them, falls can sometimes happen, particularly in residents with advanced dementia who may be prone to sudden movements or confusion. In these cases, we act quickly to ensure that the resident receives the care and support they need.
Our staff is trained to assess the situation, and if a fall results in an injury, we have protocols in place to ensure that the resident receives medical attention as quickly as possible.
The Bottom Line: Prioritizing Fall Prevention Is Key for Resident Safety
The safety and well-being of our residents are always our top priority, and fall prevention is an essential part of that commitment. At The Sanctuary, we take proactive steps to minimize fall risks by creating a safe, intuitive environment, providing constant supervision, using specialized monitoring equipment, and training our caregivers to respond quickly if a fall occurs.
By offering a high level of care and attention to detail, we ensure that our residents can enjoy their lives with as much freedom and safety as possible. If you’re considering memory care for a loved one, we invite you to see how The Sanctuary can provide the care and safety your loved one deserves.
Sources:
Alzheimer’s Association, “Falls and Fractures in People with Dementia,” Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association
When it comes to choosing the best care for your loved one with dementia, making the right decision can be overwhelming. With the rise of smaller, family-run care homes popping up in many areas, you may wonder if these newer, intimate settings are the right choice for your loved one. While family-owned care homes can offer a personal touch, they don’t always provide the level of experience, resources, or safety that a larger, established family care home provider can offer. At The Sanctuary, we’ve spent the last eight years perfecting our approach to memory care, and we’re confident that we can provide your family member with the highest level of care available. Here’s why we believe The Sanctuary stands out:
1. Experience and Track Record You Can Trust
At The Sanctuary, we have over eight years of experience in memory care, with six locations (and counting) and a proven track record of excellence. Since we opened our first location in 2017, we’ve been able to fine-tune our processes, hire the best caregivers, and create an environment where residents truly thrive. In contrast, smaller, newer facilities may not have the same level of experience, which could result in less consistency and fewer guarantees that your loved one will receive the specialized care they need.
2. Ability to Serve Non-Ambulatory Residents
One of the most critical factors in choosing a memory care facility is whether it is equipped to care for residents who are non-ambulatory. Smaller family-run homes may not have the required special licenses or infrastructure, such as fire alarm and sprinkler systems, to care for those with advanced dementia who are unable to move about on their own. At The Sanctuary, we have invested in all the necessary upgrades to ensure that we can safely and properly care for non-ambulatory residents, providing a higher level of security for families whose loved ones have more advanced needs.
3. Robust Team and Specialized Care
One of the key advantages of a larger facility is the ability to build a more robust, highly qualified team. At The Sanctuary, we have not only caregivers on site but also two Registered Nurses (RNs) who advocate for our residents with their medical providers, provide ongoing staff training, and monitor resident progress. Our highly experienced Activity Director specializes in personalized programming, which is essential for keeping residents engaged and mentally stimulated. While caregivers do their best, they simply don’t have the time or training to create and execute programs that truly cater to the needs of dementia residents. That’s where our specialized Activity Director shines, crafting meaningful and engaging activities that improve quality of life for every resident.
4. Stable, Trusted Staff
Another advantage of our size and longevity is our ability to attract and retain a large pool of qualified, trusted caregivers. Many smaller, newer operations may struggle to maintain a reliable staff, which can lead to disruptions in care when someone calls out sick or doesn’t show up for work. At The Sanctuary, we have a stable team of caregivers who are familiar with our residents, know their individual needs, and understand our protocols. This continuity helps minimize risks like medication errors, which can happen more easily when a new caregiver is unfamiliar with a resident’s routine or preferences.
5. Private Handicap-Accessible Bathrooms for Every Resident
In smaller care homes, it’s common to find shared bathrooms that may not meet the needs of residents with mobility challenges. At The Sanctuary, every resident enjoys the privacy and comfort of their own handicap-accessible bathroom. This feature is critical for providing dignity and safety for residents who may need assistance with personal care. Our commitment to these private bathrooms ensures that each resident has the space and resources they need to maintain their independence and comfort.
6. Maintenance and Facility Upkeep
While a newly opened, smaller memory care home may look pristine when you first tour, ongoing maintenance and improvements are often overlooked as time goes on. At The Sanctuary, we have a dedicated Maintenance Manager who ensures our homes are always in top condition. We’re continually making improvements, buying new furniture, and ensuring the safety and comfort of our residents. Additionally, before a new resident moves in, we deep clean and repaint every room to ensure it’s fresh, clean, and welcoming—something that smaller, newer homes may not have the resources to do on a consistent basis.
7. Long-Term Stability
At The Sanctuary, we’ve built our reputation over eight years of providing top-tier memory care. We’re proud to have established long-term relationships with residents and their families, and our track record of success speaks for itself. We have over 60 Five Star Google reviews. Smaller facilities, on the other hand, may not yet have the longevity to prove their stability or reliability. As a growing organization, we are dedicated to continuously improving our care and services, ensuring that our homes remain a trusted and secure choice for families for years to come.
Choosing the right memory care facility for your loved one is a big decision, and we understand that you want to ensure they’re in good hands. At The Sanctuary, we offer a level of experience, expertise, and resources that smaller, newer facilities simply can’t match. If you’re looking for a place where your loved one can receive personalized, compassionate, and specialized care in a safe and nurturing environment, we’re confident that The Sanctuary is the right choice.
If you’re interested in learning more or taking a tour of one of our locations, feel free to reach out. We’d love to show you why we’re the best choice for your family.
