Receiving a dementia or Alzheimer’s diagnosis for a loved one can feel overwhelming. Families often find themselves navigating unfamiliar terminology, care options, and difficult decisions.
Memory care at Kensington Park Senior Living in Kensington, Maryland, is designed to evolve alongside residents. Our community offers three levels of support that help families navigate the dementia journey with confidence: The Kensington Club, Connections, and Haven, all within one community.
Understanding these levels can bring clarity and peace of mind during a deeply emotional time.
Why Different Levels of Memory Care Matter
Dementia is a progressive condition. While every individual experiences memory loss differently, many families notice changes over time in cognition, communication, and daily functioning.
Because these needs evolve, the most supportive memory care communities provide different levels of care.
A tiered approach to memory care allows residents to receive the right level of support at the right time. This approach helps ensure that care remains personalized and responsive.
Benefits of Stage-Based Memory Care:
- Care that adapts as cognitive changes progress
- Activities and engagement designed for each stage of memory loss
- Safety measures appropriate to residents’ needs
- Opportunities for residents to maintain independence as long as possible
At Kensington Park, this philosophy is reflected in a three-level model that supports residents throughout the dementia journey.
Compare Memory Care Levels at Kensington Park
| Feature | The Kensington Club | Connections | Haven |
| Best For | Mild cognitive changes | Early to mid-stage memory loss | Mid to late-stage memory loss |
| Level of Support | Light support with structured enrichment | Moderate support with guidance and supervision | High support with full assistance for daily living |
| Environment | Small-group, integrated within assisted living | Secure, intimate memory care neighborhood | Highly supportive, calming, and structured environment |
| Primary Focus | Brain wellness and maintaining independence | Safety, routine, and engagement | Comfort, dignity, and quality of life |
| Typical Needs Supported | Forgetfulness, mild confusion | Wandering, anxiety, difficulty with daily tasks | Communication challenges, recognition loss, full care needs |
| Programming & Activities | Cognitive exercises, arts, outings, wellness programs | Structured daily routines, social engagement, calming activities | Sensory engagement, soothing routines, personalized interactions |
| Safety Features | General community safety | Secured environment with wander management | Advanced safety features, including motion sensors and visual cues |
| Goal of Care | Maintain abilities and confidence | Support independence while ensuring safety | Maximize comfort and minimize agitation |
The Kensington Club: Early-Stage Memory Care Support
The Kensington Club is Kensington Park’s early-stage memory care program. It is designed for new and current assisted living residents experiencing mild cognitive changes.
Memory loss often begins subtly. Families may notice small shifts such as forgetfulness, difficulty recalling names, or trouble completing familiar tasks. The Kensington Club focuses on early intervention that supports brain wellness while helping residents maintain confidence and independence.
The program operates in small-group settings that encourage meaningful relationships and peer support.
Key components of The Kensington Club:
- Brain wellness and cognitive exercises
- Learning experiences designed to stimulate thinking
- Expressive arts and music therapies
- Body movement programs such as yoga, tai chi, and dance
- Journaling, meditation, and mindfulness
- Volunteerism and intergenerational activities
- Educational workshops and guest speakers
- Outings to local museums, parks, and restaurants
These activities are carefully designed to support residents in several ways.
Residents in The Kensington Club have opportunities to:
- Maintain their current level of cognitive ability
- Express themselves through creativity
- Strengthen intellectual, emotional, and physical well-being
- Develop a sense of purpose and belonging
- Connect with peers in a supportive environment
The Kensington Club also serves as an important resource for families. Knowing that loved ones are supported by trained team members can provide peace of mind for caregivers who are navigating the early stages of dementia.
Connections: Memory Care for Early to Middle Stage Memory Loss
As memory loss progresses, individuals may need more consistent support and supervision.
Kensington Park’s Connections neighborhood is designed specifically for residents experiencing the early to middle stages of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Residents in this stage may still retain a degree of independence but often experience increasing challenges.
Families may notice symptoms such as:
- Difficulty completing everyday tasks without reminders
- Increased anxiety or confusion
- Fear of getting lost
- Withdrawal from social activities
- Wandering behaviors
- Agitation later in the day, often called sundowning
Connections provides a fully secured environment designed to maximize both safety and comfort. The neighborhood is intentionally intimate and homelike so residents can feel calm and supported.
Features of the Connections neighborhood:
- A secure environment that allows residents to move freely
- Wander management technology to support safety
- Comfortable living spaces that encourage relaxation
- Outdoor porches, patios, and garden areas
The primary goal of Connections is to help residents remain engaged in activities that bring meaning and purpose to their lives.
Care in this neighborhood focuses on:
- Encouraging independence whenever possible
- Providing reminders and guidance for daily tasks
- Reducing anxiety through routine and familiarity
- Supporting social interaction and engagement
Haven: Advanced Memory Care with Compassionate Support
Haven is Kensington Park’s memory care neighborhood for residents experiencing the middle to late stages of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
At this stage, residents often require a higher level of assistance and supervision. Memory loss may affect recognition, communication, and the ability to manage activities of daily living.
Residents may experience:
- Difficulty recognizing family and friends
- Challenges organizing thoughts or communicating clearly
- Increased wandering or agitation
- Greater need for assistance with personal care and hygiene
The Haven neighborhood is designed to provide compassionate support while creating a calming environment for residents.
Residents receive assistance with daily living while still being encouraged to participate in meaningful moments throughout the day.
Haven features a thoughtfully designed environment that helps reduce confusion and agitation.
Elements of Haven include:
- Motion sensors to enhance safety
- Painted walls and doors that help residents recognize spaces
- Specially designed carpeting
- Memory boxes that support recognition
- Secure outdoor terraces for fresh air and sunshine
The neighborhood is also designed to engage the senses. Familiar sounds and comforting smells from the kitchen help create a welcoming, home-like atmosphere.
Care in Haven focuses on:
- Maximizing comfort
- Minimizing agitation
- Providing compassionate, individualized support
- Preserving dignity and quality of life
Supporting Families Throughout the Dementia Journey
Memory loss affects not only the individual experiencing it but also the entire family.
At Kensington Park Senior Living, Our Promise is to love and care for your family as we do our own, which guides how we support caregivers alongside residents.
Families are encouraged to remain actively involved in their loved one’s life within the community. Visits from family and friends help maintain meaningful connections and shared moments.
Kensington Park also emphasizes collaboration between families and care teams. By sharing caregiving responsibilities, families can focus on enjoying time together while knowing their loved one is receiving professional care.
Kensington Park Senior Living: A Thoughtful Approach to Memory Care
Choosing memory care for a loved one is a deeply personal decision. Families want to know that their loved one will be supported not only today but as their needs evolve.
At Kensington Park Senior Living, the three-level memory care model provides a continuum of support that reflects the changing nature of dementia.
- The Kensington Club offers early-stage memory support and brain wellness.
- Connections provides care for residents in the early to middle stages of memory loss.
- Haven delivers compassionate support for residents in the middle to late stages.
Together, these programs create a thoughtful pathway that allows residents to receive personalized care while remaining in a familiar and supportive environment.
If your family is navigating a dementia diagnosis and exploring memory care, the team at Kensington Park Senior Living is here to help.
Schedule a private tour to see how our memory care neighborhoods support your loved one at every stage.
FAQs: Memory Care at Kensington Park
Kensington Park offers three levels of memory support, including The Kensington Club, which supports assisted living residents experiencing mild cognitive changes. Connections serves residents in the early to middle stages of Alzheimer’s and dementia. Haven provides compassionate care for residents in the middle to late stages of memory loss.
The Kensington Club is an early-stage memory care program designed for assisted living residents experiencing mild cognitive changes.
Kensington Park provides a three-level memory care model that allows care to evolve as residents’ needs change. Residents may move from The Kensington Club to Connections or Haven depending on their level of memory loss and the support they need.
Memory care programming at Kensington Park includes cognitive exercises, expressive arts, music therapy, movement programs, educational workshops, and social engagement opportunities.
Yes, Kensington Park encourages family involvement and collaboration with the care team. Family visits, shared experiences, and open communication help residents maintain meaningful relationships and support families throughout the dementia journey.