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.

As the Director of Operations for Dolan Memory Care Homes, John oversees all aspects of operations for the company. He also serves as licensed administrator for five of our nine homes. John received a BA in Business from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and an MBA from Lindenwood College in St. Charles, Missouri. His career in long-term care began in a McHenry County (Illinois) Nursing home working part-time during summers and semester breaks in maintenance. Following graduation, John became an Assistant Administrator, which led to being a licensed nursing home administrator.Since that time John had several assignments as an Administrator, an Executive Director, a Regional Administrator, a Regional Director and Director of Operations for various management companies. In 2002 John was at a crossroads in his career and following twenty-five plus years of corporate healthcare management he was looking for a change. Fortunately, he met Tim Dolan and realized that long-term need not be a spreadsheet. Small group homes provided the opportunity to provide long-term care on a personal level, a level that you could make a positive difference; long-term care the way it should be.
Over his 15 plus years with Dolan Memory Care Homes he has been involved in all aspects of the households. He has great interactions with the Residents and wonderful stories to share. John says “I feel very fortunate to be part of Dolan Memory Care Homes.”

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.

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.”

Dolan Memory Care Homes is fortunate to have an outstanding team member, Kiera be apart of the organization for over 8 years. She has held several positions and as a Care Partner (3 years), Activities Assistant (5 years), and now Staffing Coordinator. Kiera reflects on her first day as a Care Partner at Dolan, “A resident thought I was a student of hers and I went with it. My full first day I spent it with her, we went for a walk, she taught me to play Rummy, and from day one a bond was built.” Kiera shares, “Working at Dolan has made me love working with people. Residents have become my extended family. Working here has been a great experience leading to many friendships with staff and residents.” Kiera found Dolan Memory Care Homes through a connection her Mom made. She also strongly fees that “God sent me here for a reason. Working here has taught me a lot about serving God’s people. I believe God brought me here to help serve his people (the residents). He knew that my youthful look, patience, and kindness would help me love, build relationships and take care of the residents like my own family.” In her free time, she enjoys shopping with her sisters and playing video games with her brother. She claims, her one year old niece is “her favorite girl in the world. She brings a lot of joy to my life and I’m so thankful her! ” Kiera also recently started volunteering for The YMCA before school care. She shares, “I love it, the kids are great! They think I’m one of them! On my first day, a kindergartener said “she sounds like a grown up, I thought she was a kid.”

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.

Michelle has been working in Human Resources with Dolan Memory Care Homes for more than 3 years and is a member of Society of Human Resource Management. While finishing her Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Missouri St. Louis, she worked for a local non-for-profit providing for impoverished children. It was during this time that she recognized the importance of working for a company that strived to meet meaningful and inspirational mission and vision statements. After graduating from the Pierre Laclede Honors College UMSL as Summa Cum Laude, she found that Dolan was a spark of innovation amongst the Assisted Living Communities as it strived to provide a true model of person-centered and social model of care. At Dolan she provides assistance to our staff with regards to state and federal compliance, policy and procedure interpretation, HR information and management system training and use, counselling advisement’s and determinations, and much more. She enjoys her work and hopes to continue improving in her role to provide the best service to our staff.

Laura joined Dolan Memory Care Homes in 2019. With over 32 years of health care experience, she was looking for a person-centered environment. Her favorite part about Dolan is teaching nurses, care partners, residents, and families how to cook. She enjoys pairing foods together and creating an appetizing menu. Laura admits that she even enjoys cooking when she goes home! Laura is originally from Rolla, but currently calls St. Charles her home. She has two sons and two grandchildren. She is also a proud mother of two dogs–shih tzu and chihuahua mix. Laura is a die-hard Blues Hockey fan.

Natasha has been a part of Dolan’s team as a care partner since 2003. She has worked at several Dolan homes and has informally been a mentor to new care partners. At Dolan, she has worked at 3 different homes. A previous supervisor encouraged her to apply to Dolan in 2003. Her favorite aspect of Dolan is the ability to spend one on one with residents, noting she wouldn’t have this luxury at other long term care communities. She appreciates the time to build relationships through hand holding and asking about their past. She understands this investment builds trust. Natasha also loves the family oriented feel. Natasha is originally from Illinois. Her family and friends describe her as “a go-getter with a big heart.” Natasha enjoys a challenge and often does for others before herself. She has two sons and is also a foster parent to many fortunate children. In her her free time, she enjoys spending time outside in nature, walking in state parks, and shopping.

I grew up in High Ridge, Missouri, and went to Northwest High School. I have two sisters who are my best friends.

My grandma moved in with us when I was a junior in high school. She had severe dementia and was unsafe to live alone. She stayed with us for three years and could not recall that I was her granddaughter, so she just called me Nurse. She passed away the year I started nursing school, but she was the reason I decided to become a nurse.

After I graduated I went to work at Lutheran Convalescent Home part of Laclede Groves in Webster, Missouri. I worked there for almost three years. I spent the next 15 years at Barnes Jewish Hospital, specializing in orthopedic surgery.

I was married in 2004 to my husband, Faruk. My husband is from Bosnia, and we met at Lutheran Convalescent Home in 1998. We have three beautiful children: Lejla (2006) and twins, Eldin and Ariela (2008). We all reside in South County.

I came to Dolan in June of 2014 and couldn’t be happier with my decision. It’s a wonderful program we have here for people affected by dementia. I couldn’t be more proud of the work we do here for our Residents and their families. It gives me great joy every day to see the difference we make in the lives of people who have memory impairments. I hope to spend many more years here doing what I love – taking care of people.

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).

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!