Connections: Gig Harbor Memory Care for Alzheimer’s And Dementia

We've Navigated The Stages of Dementia, Too.

Finding Gig Harbor memory care doesn’t have to be daunting. Our community features the evidence-based Connections program to provide a signature service that helps residents with Alzheimer’s or dementia live comfortably. We provide support for families, too.

As a secure memory care community, we provide a stimulating environment that does not feel like a facility or institution. A committed and caring team orchestrates engaging activities designed to fit the unique needs of those with memory loss.

We understand the time, effort, and emotional toll caregiving can take on a family. If your loved one’s needs are beyond your abilities, our dementia care specialists want to help.

Choose a Specialized Memory Care Center Near You

Gig Harbor Court provides round-the-clock dementia care near the Olympic Towne Center. We are proud to offer one of the only evidence-based memory care programs in Pierce County, Washington.

Connections: Supporting Memory Care Family Members

Alzheimer’s and dementia impact the lives of all family members. The Connections program is here to offer support and resources. We help families navigate this journey with compassion and understanding. You are not alone. Our program provides a range of resources designed to help you navigate this journey with compassion and understanding.

Monthly support groups: Connect with others affected by dementia and learn coping strategies through our support groups. Local senior living professionals and hospice providers lead these meetings.
Educational resources: Access information about dementia from our specialized team members. Call us about symptoms, therapy options, and care strategies. Browse our blog for articles about Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Family involvement: Participate in regular care conferences to share thoughts, concerns, and collaborate with our care team.
Family events: Engage in special celebrations that offer opportunities to be a family again. Our partnership with Dementia Live® provides the experience of cognitive impairment to family members.
Caregiver training: Our team members receive ongoing training to provide top-rated care and effective communication. These efforts are led by Connections founder Dr. Sandra Petersen, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, GNP-BC, PMHNP-BE, FAANP.
Sensory stimulation: We offer sensory stimulation activities such as music and art therapy. These practices promote well-being and emotional expression.
Pet therapy: Residents can participate in pet therapy programs proven to reduce stress. The activity also encourages socialization among dementia residents.

The Connections Founder:
Dr. Sandra Petersen, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, GNP-BC, PMHNP-BE, FAANP

Dr. Sandra Petersen’s Connections program sets Alzheimer’s care in Gig Harbor apart. The team, comprised of dementia care specialists and Connections Academy graduates, delivers person-centered care through intentional programming.

At Gig Harbor Court, every resident is treated with empathy and understanding. Our specialized community includes a licensed nurse for health tracking and offers assistance with daily activities alongside medication monitoring. Unlike some memory care facilities that may feel clinical, Gig Harbor Court is designed to be a comforting home and secure sanctuary.

Looking for memory care near you? Visit Gig Harbor Court!

Connect - Move - Learn

The Connect, Move, Learn sequence is how our memory care community promotes neuroplasticity. The body can continue producing healthy brain cells despite memory loss. Staying engaged socially, physically, and mentally helps residents find their daily purpose.

Quality, Personalized Memory Care

Memory care is designed for seniors diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s. Evidence-based programming can significantly improve your loved one’s quality of life.

At Gig Harbor Court, families can have peace of mind knowing that their loved one’s life is being celebrated. Connections offers engaging activities and compassionate team members who provide research-backed programming to help seniors live a life they love.

The Connections program will support your loved one by:

Engaging the Emotions

Music, art, and social interaction can inspire memories and emotions. We also provide a variety of brain-healthy foods that can stimulate the mind. Rediscovery leads to positive mental attitudes in those struggling with cognitive decline.

Connections can help your loved one stay engaged with:

Encouraging Movement

The connection between the mind and body is well-established in scientific research. Connections activities encourage physical exercise to maximize the quality of life. Yoga, walking clubs, and other adapted programs help Gig Harbor Court residents achieve an active body and mind.

Challenging the Brain

Our team is constantly finding ways for residents to engage with new information.

Activities designed for brain stimulation include:

We also provide a variety of brain-healthy foods for residents.

Supporting Socialization

Evidence shows socialization is critical to the maintenance of mental health and cognition. Regular interaction with others can help seniors achieve a better sense of belonging and structure. We provide a variety of group activities that allow residents to foster relationships and connect with others.

Music Therapy for Dementia

Dr. Petersen is the memory care expert who inspires our program. SingFit is another leading activity for residents. This experience helps promote brain plasticity, ignite memories, encourage movement, and unite the community.

Inspired by Experience

Pegasus Senior Living’s Senior VP of Health and Wellness, Dr. Sandra Petersen, has worked in memory care for over 30 years. Experiences in her personal life inspired the novel approach of the Connections program.

Over a decade ago, a stroke left her unable to use the left side of her body and connect with language skills; she even had trouble completing a sentence.

“The whole experience gave me not only sympathy, but empathy for those that struggle with cognitive decline,” says Dr. Petersen.

With the help of a brain health specialist, she worked her way back through a variety of techniques designed to rebuild neural pathways. Learning Spanish and ballroom dancing played major roles in her recovery.

Watch to Learn More about Dr. Petersen's Story

“I wondered whether the same principles that helped me, like connecting through emotion, moving, and learning new information, could work to stimulate the brain of someone with cognitive impairment.”

Dr. Petersen

Connections Explained: A Comforting Home

Moving to assisted living or memory care can be difficult for older adults. Our social environment can quickly remove the fear of the unknown and inspire a life of independence. Senior care has been a personal and professional mission for Dr. Petersen for over three decades. Her practice focuses on neuroscience and the transformative power of rewiring the brain despite Alzheimer’s and dementia so people can find meaning again.

How does pricing for memory care centers work?

Discover the health benefits and hospitality services of paying for memory care.