Brookdales Approach to Memory Care

Clare Bridge®: Our Evidence-Based Approach to Memory Care

Clare Bridge, our renowned brand of Alzheimer's and dementia care, was developed over 30 years ago by a team of dementia-care experts and continues to evolve based on the latest research and learnings. Our mission is simple—to help your loved one feel a strong sense of belonging, build friendships and support their current abilities through personalized and purposeful engagement.

The gentle structure of six daily planned programs and social opportunities helps loved ones have a deeper sense of purpose and meaning. Here are a few things you can expect your loved one to experience:

A morning cognitive workout with discussions and brain-stimulating games
Physical activity through our signature B-Fit program
Taking a walk around our garden in our secured courtyard
An outing featuring learning opportunities, local interests and cultural experiences
Following along in our art classes, music sessions and book clubs to end their day

Brookdale's Memory Care Innovative Practices

Clare Bridge is more than a program—it’s a community built on connection.
At Brookdale, we center care around relationships that support both individuals living with dementia and the families who love them. We combine decades of experience with innovative, evidence-based practices—delivering person-centered, strengths-based care that supports purpose and dignity.

Innovative Engagement

Engagement inspires connection, confidence and joy. Each day offers your loved one a chance to build confidence, stay socially connected and engage in programs that gently support cognitive strength and daily routines.

With InTouch, your loved one can explore the world through intuitive touch-screen technology—playing brain games, listening to calming music or enjoying virtual travel experiences designed for them.
iConnect and FamilyConnect bring people closer—whether it’s neighbors bonding over shared stories or family members creating new memories through photos and messages.
For those with advanced dementia, robotic companion pets can offer gentle comfort and spark moments of joy, companionship and calm.

In select communities, we use smart technology to support hearing and focus—helping your loved one stay engaged during activities and connect more easily with those around them.

Innovative Engagement

With InTouch, your loved one can explore the world through intuitive touch-screen technology—playing brain games, listening to calming music or enjoying virtual travel experiences designed for them.
iConnect and FamilyConnect bring people closer—whether it’s neighbors bonding over shared stories or family members creating new memories through photos and messages.
For those with advanced dementia, robotic companion pets can offer gentle comfort and spark moments of joy, companionship and calm.

In select communities, we use smart technology to support hearing and focus—helping your loved one stay engaged during activities and connect more easily with those around them.

Non-Pharmacologocial Approach

The Clare Bridge Seven-Step Behavioral Problem-Solving Process is a thoughtful, person-centered approach to behavioral support. Our process provides personalized care and meaningful engagement—while aiming to reduce the need for unnecessary medications.

Here’s how the process works:

Familiar care partners whenever possible to build trust and connection
Partner closely with prescribing providers to explore alternatives to psychotropic medications
Assess each loved one to understand personal routines, preferences and clinical needs
Collaborate as a team—bringing together dementia care experts to explore the root of each behavior and respond with care

Non-Pharmacologocial Approach

Here’s how the process works:

Familiar care partners whenever possible to build trust and connection
Partner closely with prescribing providers to explore alternatives to psychotropic medications
Assess each loved one to understand personal routines, preferences and clinical needs
Collaborate as a team—bringing together dementia care experts to explore the root of each behavior and respond with care

Dining

Our nourishing meals support wellness, confidence and dignity. We serve healthy, flavorful meals with options from our brain-healthy menu—designed to blend nutrious with delicous while encouraging independence and promoting a sense of well-being.

Here’s how we make mealtime meaningful:

Offer familiar, dementia-friendly menu choices to reflect unique preferences and support nutritional goals
Use gentle prompting and hands-on assistance to help maintain independent use of utensils
Keep dining rooms small and consistent seating to create a relaxed and familiar environment
Provide a warm, essential oil-scented cloth at each meal through our reFRESH program—offering both comfort and a calming sensory moment

Dining

Here’s how we make mealtime meaningful:

Offer familiar, dementia-friendly menu choices to reflect unique preferences and support nutritional goals
Use gentle prompting and hands-on assistance to help maintain independent use of utensils
Keep dining rooms small and consistent seating to create a relaxed and familiar environment
Provide a warm, essential oil-scented cloth at each meal through our reFRESH program—offering both comfort and a calming sensory moment

Strength-Based Programming

Purposeful programming through every stage of dementia. From early support in Crossings to advanced care through Solace, Clare Bridge offers meaningful engagement tailored to your loved one’s stage of dementia. Each day brings opportunities to connect, move and feel a strong sense of identity—through programs designed to inspire confidence and promote well-being.

Here’s what a day might include:

Morning mental workouts with brain-stimulating games
Daily Path of Engagement with individualized or group activities that align with personal interests and abilities
Physical movement through walking groups, B-Fit, yoga, dance or the InTouch bike program
Engaging outings with learning opportunities, cultural experiences and visits to local spots

Strength-Based Programming

Here’s what a day might include:

Morning mental workouts with brain-stimulating games
Daily Path of Engagement with individualized or group activities that align with personal interests and abilities
Physical movement through walking groups, B-Fit, yoga, dance or the InTouch bike program
Engaging outings with learning opportunities, cultural experiences and visits to local spots

man holding a flower and gardening with caregiver

Secured and Sheltered Freedom

Brookdale Clare Bridge communities are thoughtfully designed to support independence and movement. Every space encourages confidence, comfort, and purposeful engagement—helping your loved one feel more at ease throughout their day.

Features include:

Programmatic spaces designed to spark learning and connection
Easy-to-navigate floor plans with contrasting wall colors for added clarity
Secured entrances and exits to support safety and routine
Enclosed courtyards and secured outdoor spaces that invite fresh air and freedom to explore

Secured and Sheltered Freedom

Features include:

Programmatic spaces designed to spark learning and connection
Easy-to-navigate floor plans with contrasting wall colors for added clarity
Secured entrances and exits to support safety and routine
Enclosed courtyards and secured outdoor spaces that invite fresh air and freedom to explore

Crossings Program: For Early-Stage Dementia

Early support can make a meaningful difference. When your loved one begins to notice changes in memory or awareness, the right support can help them stay engaged and confident. That’s why we created a program designed for early-stage dementia—offering purposeful activities, social connection and gentle care that may help preserve abilities and promote well-being.

Crossings Program: For Early-Stage Dementia

Clare Bridge Crossings Highlights:

Designed for early stages of dementia
Bridges the gap between assisted living and memory care
Offers personalized programming that supports both body and mind
Includes outings that inspire learning, explore local interests, and celebrate culture

What is Crossings?

Discover how this Alzheimer’s and dementia program can help someone you love.

What is Crossings?

Discover how this Alzheimer’s and dementia program can help someone you love.

Clare Bridge Solace Program: For Late-Stage Dementia

The Clare Bridge Solace program adds comfort, connection and calm to each day. Offered in every memory care community, the Clare Bridge Solace program supports loved ones with advanced dementia with care tailored to their unique needs.

Solace builds on the Clare Bridge Daily Path by adding an extra layer of engagement—focusing on sensory experiences that spark joy and create moments of peace.

Clare Bridge Solace Program: For Late-Stage Dementia

Solace builds on the Clare Bridge Daily Path by adding an extra layer of engagement—focusing on sensory experiences that spark joy and create moments of peace.

Clare Bridge Solace Program Highlights:

Extra time for grooming with a calming, comfort-focused approach
Sensory-based activities that engage touch, sound and sight
Personalized music that connects to meaningful moments
Aromatherapy to soothe and uplift
Soothers featuring favorite foods, familiar scents, textures and visuals

The Clare Bridge Embrace™ Family Partnership Program

The Embrace Family Partnership is a caregiver-focused program, which offers educational resources and support for the families of residents with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Through Embrace Family Events, hosted at your loved one’s Brookdale community, we provide opportunities to learn about dementia care, develop friendships and connections, explore advocacy and support one another during this period in a caregiver or family member’s life, while highlighting Brookdale’s person-centered care philosophy.