Memory Care in St. Louis, MO

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.

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. Mindy pivoted from a family support coordinator role into Human Resources in December 2022.

In my free time I enjoy watching movies, long walks, reading, spending time with my family, and my pets (cat, dog and guinea pigs).