After careful consideration and extensive research, The Grande at Sterling Estates of West Cobb partnered with The Hearthstone Institute to provide our Memory Care programming. Founded in 1992 by renowned memory care expert Dr. John Zeisel, Hearthstone has been a recognized leader in Alzheimer’s care for twenty years. Its mission is to create residential environments where people living with Alzheimer’s and related disorders can flourish.

Central to this partnership is Hearthstone’s I’m Still Here^® programming, which is based on the belief that a person living with Alzheimer’s or dementia, is “still here” and can experience a high quality of life regardless of the degree of memory loss. Through I’m Still Here^® programming, residents of live with purpose, discovery, and joy.

As a certified Memory Care Center of Excellence, The Grande at Sterling Estates integrates Hearthstone’s transformational, evidence-based training programs into our daily routines, creating opportunities for true engagement and increased quality of life for our residents living with memory challenges.

I’m Still Here recognizes that meaningful engagement for our Memory Care residents increases their quality of life. More importantly, it decreases the severity and frequency of most common symptoms of dementia known as the four A’s of Alzheimer’s: Apathy, Anxiety, Agitation and Aggression.

Meaningful programs and activities offered within I’m Still Here^® replace busy work with:

• a full social life
• new learning experiences
• group participation in varied and enjoyable activities that include favorite hobbies and pastimes

People living with memory loss often feel as though they no longer have a voice or choice. I’m Still Here^® offers numerous opportunities every day for residents to express their preferences and choices. The result? Increased feelings of confidence, significance, and well-being. Our residents matter.

I’m Still Here^® Learning Stations are engaging places where residents have the opportunity to learn new information, revisit previous knowledge, participate in familiar tasks or experience completely new adventures. They’re located throughout The Grande to encourage independent or social engagement.

Each Learning Station is thoughtfully designed to offer topics, tasks and information based on current interests or subjects of study. While some stations emphasize opportunities to learn new information, others—such as making body scrubs and arranging flowers—encourage residents to express their creativity.

The materials at the stations are changed and updated regularly to provide an ever-changing variety of interesting and engaging things to learn and do. There are puzzles, art projects, recipes and more.

In addition to offering individualized learning experiences, Learning Stations also provide residents with an opportunity to teach and share their knowledge with others.

Grab your popcorn and drink and Meet Me at the Movies! This is an enjoyable theater experience designed to stimulate and engage our residents. Funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, Meet Me at the Movies! is an interactive film experience. Short clips from classic films and TV shows are shown, followed by audience discussion and reminiscence, guided by one of our team members. From classic Hollywood hits to foreign films, action-adventure movies to cult classics, residents of The Grande at Sterling Estates of West Cobb are treated to showings of some of their favorite movies and TV shows.

The Hearthside Book Club incorporates specialized reading materials specially adjusted for individuals with varying stages of dementia. The books have built-in questions, cues, and other helpful features that help our staff engage with our residents, creating positive interaction. The Hearthside Book Club includes many favorite topics such as: Alfred Hitchcock, James Cagney, and Glenn Miller biographies, Books that Became Movies, Rosie the Riveter, Tourism, and more.