Dementia Care in St. Louis, MO

Tim Dolan saw a challenge that needed to be addressed: care for those suffering with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias More than 5 million Americans are living with the disease – Every 67 seconds someone in the U.S. develops Alzheimer’s which is currently the 6th leading cause of death in the U.S. The numbers are staggering and at present there is no cure. As an innovator, Tim has been involved in memory care for over 25 years. He has had significant influence in changing the perception of the disease along with fostering vast improvement in resources that are now available to families. Dolan Memory Care Homes (DMCH) specializes in the care of those living with Alzheimer’s disease or related disorders. DMCH are not a wing or a floor in a skilled facility, or a new building on a large campus; but rather small households within residential communities accommodating ten or fewer residents. When Tim built his first home in 1993 there were very few placement options available for families. As a consumer himself, he was shocked by the limited long term care choices available to families struggling with the disease which at the time were merely locked down wards within conventional nursing homes.
Evolution of an Idea
Tim began reading everything he could find on environmental design and different care techniques that he could incorporate in a new model of care. He had heard of other ideas that were similar to his that were beginning to take shape in other parts of the country. He traveled to these facilities to see how their approach might help with his design. Tim learned that a family member in New York had donated funds to a research center in Ohio; the Corrine Dolan Alzheimer’s Research Center (CDARC) which he collaborated with in the development of his new care design. While CDARC was not his exact vision, it proved to be a wealth of knowledge that he could use in the developing his own program. In fact, every place he visited he learned something that he could use.
Vision Takes Hold
The journey was a definite struggle; but he did have some successes along the way. Tim did not anticipate the lack of social awareness and the overall stigmatism that existed with the illness. When you couple that with the state’s various licensure categories that ran counter to his style of care; he soon learned that he would be in for a long campaign. In 1999 Dolan Residential Care, as his young company was known, was chosen as one of only 2 facilities in the St. Louis area to participate in the State’s Alzheimer’s Pilot Program to investigate and develop new environments and care techniques for Missourians suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. He developed 3 state-of-the-art households that included numerous environmental design features that addressed the cognitively impaired along with several new innovative building techniques. In 2006 Tim’s effort in the field was instrumental in helping to change the licensure regulations in Missouri. Senate Bill 616 was introduced, passed and later signed by the Governor providing Missouri families with an array of long term care choices never before available to Missourians. In 2010 Tim was chosen by the Governor to be a member of the Missouri State Alzheimer’s Task Force representing the long term care in the state. Other Task Force members included Dr. John Morris, Margret Donnelly, Director of Missouri Health and Senior Services, Senator Bill Stouffer sponsor of Senate Bill 616, Carol Rodriguez from the Alzheimer’s Association. The Task Force’s duties were to identify how the disease was affecting Missourians, what resources were available and how the state could better serve those families affected with the disease.
Vision Becomes a Reality
Currently, Dolan Memory Care Homes has 12 households in the St. Louis area. In 2014 Tim completed Les Maison a memory neighborhood. Les Maison is the first of its kind green development consisting of four homes specifically built to accommodate those suffering from various forms of memory impairment. It is a true patient centered, social model in every sense of the word. Residents are encouraged to participate in their own care as well as to be involved in the day to day operation of the home. Residents have the freedom to go outside in an enclosed yard and to socialize by visiting other residents within the neighborhood. To date, there is no other development like it in the country, making it a true “feather in the cap” for St. Louis Based on Les Masons’ success, in 2018, Tim began developing his second memory neighborhood, Waterford Crossing.
Vision for the Future
While Tim’s mission of care for persons living with dementias and their families; he also contributes to a world without Alzheimer’s by working closely with and donating to the St. Louis Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association and Memory Care Home Solutions.

Even in nursing school, Toni “always gravitated toward the older people, because they appreciate you so much”. After stints as Director of Nursing at conventional nursing facilities, she learned about Tim Dolan’s cozy, nonclinical approach, with 6 to 11 Residents per home. “When you know your patient that well – you know what they need.” At Dolan Memory Care Homes Toni oversees care for Residents with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia related disorders. The “Dolan Difference” is that the residents enjoy a restrain-free environment that is considerate of their wants and needs. By removing limits, restrictions and the word “NO”, residents feel more comfortable and exhibit less negative behaviors. It’s about what they can do, not what they can’t do. It’s amazing too, when we open up all the possibilities, what you can actually do with folks who have dementia. Who else would take 90 folks with dementia to a Prom! Life with Dementia can be meaningful and enjoyable. Families can stay intact and still have relationships as time goes on. This is what I enjoy most about my work at Dolan.
2014 Award Recipient– Senior Division

Sandi came to the role of activities in long-term care through community service projects with the Girl Scout troops she led. While working as a Legal Secretary she went back to school to take classes in the field of activities. She started her career in 2001 as an Activity Assistant. Three years later she was promoted to Activity Director. Sandi joined Dolan Memory Care Homes in 2013 as Activities Director. She is responsible for planning and implementing activities at each of the households. She schedules monthly events and entertainers for each house and composes a newsletter of activities for the Residents’ families. She is part of the team implementing and leading the Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) program in the houses. Sandi has an Associate degree in Human Services from St. Louis Community College. She is a Missouri Certified Activity Director and a National Certified Activity Director.
“Whenever I visit the Residents at their homes, they are always so welcoming and so appreciative that I have come to visit them. I love the stories they tell me and learning so much about them. I love working on new projects with them and going out to lunch with them. Every day is always a new day!! Although I am supposed to be going to visit to make their day special, they always end up making my day special too!”

Allison has been with the company over 15 years. She was a Care Partner, an Activities Director, a Nurse Manager, and now works primarily in admissions as Nurse Consultant. “Some days I’m Allison, other days Angie, occasionally a daughter or an old neighbor, and it’s all okay.” With a little imagination and flexibility, Allison highlights the importance of stepping into a resident’s reality. She recalls a time with a resident who, almost every afternoon around the same time, wanted to pick up her children off the school bus. “We would tidy the house by sweeping the floor and folding towels, and prepare a snack for the children. By the time we were finished, Betty was not concerned with picking up her children. What sets Dolan apart from other memory care centers are the little things: We want to know how our residents prefer their coffee, what time do they rise in the morning, what are they proud of, and what makes them smile. Ultimately, it’s the details, which makes Dolan successful in memory care. “Living at Dolan is the ultimate customer service experience, we are wrong, and the folks that live here are always right. We create a safe environment, so we can take away the No’s. It is empowering for the residents to be independent again.” Allison obtained a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences and Chemistry at University of Missouri-Columbia. Additionally, she received her Bachelor of Nursing and her Masters of Nursing as an Adult Geriatric Nurse Practitioner at Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes Jewish College, where she achieved an Academic Excellence Award. In 2018, she was recognized in Jewish Light as a Woman in Business.

Bill came to Dolan in 2012 after a long career in a related field. His technical skills, management experience, problem-solving abilities and concern for the safety and well-being of our residents make him a perfect fit for Dolan Memory Care Homes. His dedicated team is responsible for the day-to-day maintenance of our facilities and the systems, appliances, and equipment that give them their homelike feel and appearance. Bill’s department is also responsible for the many facets that ensure our residents live in a safe environment. While you may see him or members of his crew at any given time on any given day, Bill strives to keep things running so smoothly that everything happens behind the scenes to cause minimal disruption to the operation of our homes and the lives of our residents.

Brenda Akers has dedicated her entire professional career to serving and enriching lives of older adults. She possess a plethora of experience as a social worker at the Jewish Center for the Aged and at Lutheran Senior Services. At both long term care communities, Brenda was instrumental in their assisted living and memory care programs. She is proud of facilitating Cardinals reminisce group. She also served as a vice president for a home health company.

In her free time, she volunteers at the Alzheimer’s Association as a support group facilitator for spouses and adult children. Brenda has also dedicated her time as an organizer for Alzheimer’s walk and a fundraiser leader. She demonstrates leadership throughout the community as a guest panelist and speaker for Alzheimer’s Association, Missouri League of Nursing, and Activity Directors Across Missouri. Her topics range from “Intimacy, Sexuality and Dementia”, “Lewy Bodies Disease”, “Sleep and Dementia” and “How to Have the Difficult Talk with Your Parents.” To top it off, Brenda also holds specialized certifications as a Dementia Practitioner (CDP) and Montessori Dementia Care Professional (CMDCP).

Over her professional career, Brenda learned about Dolan Memory Care Homes and continued to follow our progress. Dolan is humbled and honored that Brenda began working in 2020 as Waterford Family Support Coordinator. She shares, “I am totally committed to helping individuals with memory impairments, their families, through research and experience.” Brenda truly appreciates and understands the importance of caring for the complex dynamic of respective family members along with the individual with dementia. Brenda values her family—Rick, husband of over 40 years, 3 adult sons, 1 daughter in law, and a small 3-legged therapy dog named Sia. Brenda illustrates compassion and empathy to all that she graces her presence. Dolan Memory Care Homes is fortunate to have Brenda as a part of the leadership team.

I grew up in St. Louis, Missouri and graduated with a Master of Social Work (MSW) at Saint Louis University with a specialization in Gerontology.
I graduated from the University of Missouri- Columbia in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts in both Psychology and Sociology with a minor in Human Development and Family Studies. I didn’t know when I began my social work education where it would lead me until both of my grandmothers were diagnosed with Alzheimer’s only a couple years apart. While it had quite a toll on my family and myself, I stepped up and was the main point of contact and very involved in their care; this is where I found my passion. I spent so much time in their assisted living facilities that I was on first name bases with staff, residents, and other family members, often planning and engaging in activities and events with them. Although these were some of the most trying times for me and my family, they were also some of the most rewarding and memorable.
When I first came to Dolan as a student in January of 2020, I took all the tools of person-centered care that I had accumulated home to my grandmothers, and it made all the difference. I was overwhelmed by the strengths-based model of care that Dolan provides and remember thinking to myself “this is what is missing.” My favorite aspect of Dolan is the patient environment that allows for staff to get to know each resident and form meaningful, trusting relationships. I felt so welcomed by residents, families and staff that it was like a home away from home. When students were asked to work remotely due to COVID-19 in early March, I felt unfinished in my Dolan journey. I am eager to pick up where I left off and immerse myself in the individualistic care of others’ loved ones.
In my free time I enjoy watching movies, long walks, reading, spending time with my family, and my pets (cat, dog and guinea pigs).

Ellen Cowick is the Business Office Manager at Dolan Memory Care Homes; she started at Dolan in 2019 as an Accounting Assistant. She currently lives in St. Ann, Missouri with her ten year old daughter Remi and their cat Sunny.

She grew up in St. Peters and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Accounting from ITT- Technical Institute. She comes from a large family as one of five children and, interestingly, she is also a twin!

Ellen is close with her immediate and extended family. She looks forward to times when they can all get together and enjoy a holiday meal or family outings to the zoo or the Butterfly House.

Ellen spends much of her time caring for her aging mother but in her free time she enjoys crafting, traveling and spending time with family and friends. She loves helping people and makes that a priority in her life. Her motto is “Today is a good day for a good day”, and she always tries to convey that sentiment to everyone she meets. Ellen is proud to be a member of the Dolan team and looks forward to building on the Dolan Memory Care mission of improve quality of life not only for individuals with dementia, but for their families as well.

I started with Dolan winter of 2019 as a student intern working with the social workers. I had such a great experience here…and now I’m back as a full time employee! I was born and raised here in Saint Louis, I went to Parkway Central High School and I graduated with a Bachelors in Educational Studies from the University of Missouri- Saint Louis in December of 2019.

I took a short break to work at another job after graduation but when John called saying Dolan had an opening, I jumped at the opportunity! When I’m not at work I enjoy spending time with my soon to be husband James and my family. My favorite foods are a dang good cheeseburger and sushi! I love traveling, shopping and visiting my out of town friends as well as going to the beach every year with my family. Dolan definitely holds a special place in my heart and I am so glad I am here!

Ranada has been with Dolan Memory Care Homes for over 10 years. She was a CarePartner, a Night Supervisor, Staffing Coordinator and most recently stepped into the role as our Assistant House Manager. Ranada loves to go above and beyond in providing excellent care for our Residents with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. With a caring, compassionate heart she has always been available to train and develop the new CarePartners to the Dolan mission for caring for the Residents in a home like setting. Ranada’s success is boiled down to her mantra: “Team work makes the Dream work.”