At Kisco Senior Living, memory care is not just a service, it’s a calling. “Each individual has a unique story, and being part of their journey is both a privilege and a joy,” says Juliet Moody, Hospitality Services Director at The Carnegie at Washingtonian Center. Moody goes on to say, “In Memory Care, we foster an environment of compassion and understanding, where every moment matters.” With the support of Brenda Gurung, CMDCPT, CMDCP, MIM, VDTCT and National Director of Memory Care Services, Kisco has reimagined how dementia care is delivered across its communities. The result is Heirloom Memory Care, a research-informed, Montessori-based, and person-centered program designed to restore dignity, purpose, and joy to residents and staff alike.
“We completely rebuilt our memory care program, together with input from frontline associates, communities leaders, industry experts and others,” Gurung explains. “Heirloom is rooted in the Montessori method, with a deep commitment to human-centered care. It’s informed by research, but inspired by empathy and purpose.”
Changing the Conversation Around Memory Care
Kisco has launched a campaign titled “Why I Love Memory Care,” a movement to shift public and professional perceptions around memory care and the dementia care journey. Gurung emphasizes that too often, memory care is viewed solely through the lens of hardship.
“When my colleagues or I tell people what we do, the other person often responds with, ‘That’s so sad. How do you do it?’ There’s this assumption that memory care is overwhelmingly difficult,” she shares. “But for us, it’s sacred work. It’s deeply meaningful. We’re trying to change that paradigm.”
Part of this paradigm shift begins within Kisco’s own walls. Gurung and her team recognized early on that memory care staff and residents were sometimes perceived as “secondary” to others on campus. To address this, Kisco launched the industry’s first Memory Care Week, modeled after Nurses Week or Activity Professionals Week.
“We wanted our associates to feel honored and seen,” Gurung says. “We began with appreciation events, resident engagement, and celebrations that recognized the essential work of memory care teams. It was a small start—but incredibly meaningful.” And in 2025 we’re partnering with the National Association of Activity Professionals to host Memory Care Week – they were the organization who launched National Activity Professional Week, so it was a natural endeavor for them.
Training that Transforms
At the heart of the Heirloom program is a robust training model. Kisco has made a significant investment in Montessori-based education, combining the Certified Montessori Dementia Care Professional (CMDCP) certification from the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners (NCCDP) with Kisco’s own proprietary curriculum and immersive experiences like the Virtual Dementia Tour®.
“Montessori is a natural fit,” Gurung explains. “It encourages us to see residents in their wholeness—not by what they’ve lost, but by what they can still do. It helps us push beyond the limits of ‘can’t’ or ‘shouldn’t.’ We don’t want to bubble-wrap people. That’s not living.”
Kisco now boasts more than 270 Montessori-certified professionals and four certified trainers (CMDCPTs), with plans to expand training across additional communities. The training began with memory care leadership and has since evolved into a broader cultural shift.
“We use training not only as a quality initiative but as a retention strategy,” Gurung notes. “We want our teams to feel invested in and valued, so this is part of our investment in them as individuals. We can’t just chase staffing or behavioral challenges—we have to proactively build cultures where people want to stay.”
Small Changes, Big Impact
The beauty of the Heirloom approach lies in its attention to the seemingly small moments that define life in memory care: a dignified shower experience, a calming meal, a joyful visit with family.
“It’s often the smallest changes that make the biggest difference,” Gurung says. “A change in tone, a new approach to care—it can transform how a resident feels, or how a caregiver experiences their work.”
She shares stories of Heirloom leaders who have grown within the program—some who started volunteering as nursing students and fell in love with dementia care, others who have flourished after years of working in memory care and are now shaping the culture of entire neighborhoods.
A Call to the Industry
Gurung hopes that other organizations will join Kisco in elevating the status and spirit of memory care.
“We’ve begun offering workshops for families and professionals to share what we’ve built with others in the field, and we regularly present at industry conferences,” she says. “We believe this approach changes the tone—and ultimately, changes lives.”
As the Heirloom Memory Care program continues to grow, it stands as a testament to what’s possible when training, culture, and compassion converge.
Brenda Gurung, CMDCPT, CMDCP, MIM, VDT
National Director of Memory Care Services
kiscoseniorliving.com
