Alison Graves, Resident Experience Director and Mentor at Sinceri Senior Living, has been named a 2025 Memory Care Innovation Award winner by Senior Housing News.
The Memory Care Innovation Awards program is designed to recognize passionate and innovative industry members who are shaping the future of cognitive care across behavioral health, home health and home care, hospice and palliative care, senior housing and senior living, and skilled nursing. To become a Memory Care Innovation Award winner, an individual must be nominated by their peers. The candidate should be a high-performing employee who knows how to put vision into action, serving as an advocate for those living with memory-related disorders and the committed professionals who ensure their well-being.
Graves sat down with Senior Housing News to share her journey caring for patients and residents with cognitive care needs, her thoughts on the future of cognitive care in senior housing & senior living, and much more. To learn more about the Memory Care Innovation Awards program and view this year’s winners, visit https://innovation.memorycarebusiness.com/.
SHN: How long have you been a part of the memory care, senior housing & senior living industry?
Graves: I have served more than 30 years in Long-Term Care (LTC), Independent Living (IL), Assisted Living (AL) and Memory Care (MC) communities.
SHN: What drew you to caring for patients/residents with cognitive care needs?
Graves: My mother worked in Labor & Delivery at our local hospital for more than 40 years. As a teenager, she would bring me to work with her during the summer months. My time as a “candy striper” volunteer was spent mostly at the nursing home across the street from, and owned by, the hospital. I enjoyed spending time in the activity department, playing games, talking and reading to the seniors, and getting to know them better.
As an adult, I tried a different path as a writer and photographer for two local newspapers. It simply wasn’t fulfilling to me. I eventually found my way back to senior living with a job offer at White Oak Manor in Lancaster, South Carolina. I was hired as a CNA and remained in that capacity for less than 2 weeks before an opening in the activity department was posted. I started as an assistant in the department and held that position for about 6 months before being promoted to the Activity Director.
I love being in activities and planning events for our residents, their family members, and our employees. It’s extremely rewarding to follow through with a plan from the paper and ink aspect completely through to setting up for, and hosting, the events. I enjoy helping our senior residents experience new life goals or simply reliving those that meant so much to them. Sometimes, it’s the little things that mean so very much to our seniors. The Dreams Can Come True program is more than just a program. It is a new way of thinking and planning for those who are entrusted in our care. It puts life into perspective.
I started a DREAMS program almost 25 years ago in LTC at White Oak Manor. When I moved to Vermont, I also started the program there. Years later, when I moved back to the Carolinas, once again, the program was added to our calendar. The program has taken off like wildfire at Lancaster Grove Senior Living, so much so, it has grown to include our Sinceri Senior Living sister communities nationwide! I was asked to present the program at last Spring’s South Carolina Activity Professional’s Association (SCAPA) Conference in Myrtle Beach. Our Dreams program took home the title of Best Practice!
I am so thankful the Dreams program is now being included as a Sinceri Senior Living Signature program! All of our seniors, not just those in our care, deserve a chance to dream a little! Who doesn’t?
SHN: If you could change one thing about cognitive care in the memory care, senior housing & senior living industry, what would it be?
Graves: Ensure each and every community includes some aspect of a Senior Dream program into their monthly calendars!
SHN: If you had a crystal ball, what do you think will most impact your ability to provide cognitive care in the memory care, senior housing & senior living industry in the next five years?
Graves: If I had a crystal ball, I would envision each corporation responsible for senior living communities include the following statement in their admission packets: If you were given the opportunity to achieve a long-time goal or relive one of the most fulfilling activities you’ve ever participated in, what would that be? That simple question has changed lives at Lancaster Grove, as well as other Sinceri Senior Living communities.
That simple question demonstrates a true sense of caring and allows our senior population to realize the community truly knows them, cares about them, and wants to help them live their life to the fullest!
SHN: If you could describe cognitive care in the memory care, senior housing & senior living industry in one word, what would it be and why?
Graves: Changing.
Cognitive care is always changing. It seems more and more younger individuals are being affected by cognitive issues. When I started in this industry more than 30 years ago, the population was much older.
SHN: What’s been the biggest lesson you have learned throughout your career?
Graves: Everyone deserves the opportunity to reach for the stars because no dream is too large for those who dream and those dream makers who help make their dreams come true!
SHN: If you could give yourself advice on the first day in the memory care, senior housing & senior living industry, what would it be and why?
Graves: Slow down and listen to the residents. They have an awful lot to share and, often times, just need someone to talk to.
SHN: In your opinion, what qualities should all Memory Care Innovation Award winners possess?
Graves: The qualities of a Memory Care Innovation Award winner should reflect a caring attitude, a desire to achieve great things by taking small steps forward with purpose, and the ability to listen, first and foremost, to those who are entrusted in our care.
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