Connections: Spokane Families’ Choice for Evidence-Based Care

We've Navigated The Stages of Dementia, Too.

Finding the right memory care near Spokane Valley, Washington, doesn’t have to be daunting. Our community features the evidence-based Connections program. Our signature service helps residents with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia find meaning and comfort in private rooms 24 hours a day. We support family members who feel lost and need guidance about dementia. Other senior facilities may offer memory care, but are they comprehensive enough?

Our Alzheimer’s and dementia care community provides a stimulating and calming environment. A committed and caring team offers a variety of activities designed to fit the unique needs of those living with memory loss.

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

Who provides comprehensive dementia and memory care near Spokane Valley?

South Hill Village provides round-the-clock dementia care. It’s one of the most comprehensive memory care programs in Washington State.

Our Connections memory care program includes a licensed nurse and specially trained team members. We also provide medication monitoring and assistance with activities of daily living. Some memory facilities may feel like institutions, but our community is designed to be secure and consistent. We’re an expert resource for families seeking dementia care in Spokane.

Connections: Supporting Memory Care Family Members

Alzheimer’s and dementia do not only affect memory care residents. Family members’ lives are also impacted, and the Connections program is here to offer support. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed by caregiving responsibilities or struggling to cope with changes in your loved one, our program provides a range of resources designed to help you navigate this journey with compassion and understanding.

Monthly support groups: Connect with others impacted by dementia and learn how to cope with the challenges through facilitated support groups in partnership with local senior living professionals and hospice providers.
Educational resources: Access information about dementia, including symptoms, treatment options, and care strategies, through educational resources such as articles, videos, and webinars.
Family involvement: Involve families in resident care and planning through regular care conferences. Family members can share their thoughts and concerns and work collaboratively with care staff.
Family events: Participate in special celebrations that provide opportunities for residents and their loved ones to engage in joyful, meaningful activities that instill purpose.
Caregiver training: Connections team members receive ongoing training from Dr. Petersen and other accredited sources to provide top-rated care, activities, and family communication.
Sensory stimulation: We engage residents in sensory stimulation activities, such as music and art therapy, that can promote well-being and emotional expression. Our partnership with Dementia Live® offers the experience of cognitive impairment to family members.
Pet therapy: Residents participate in pet therapy programs, which have been shown to reduce stress and improve socialization among dementia patients. We welcome family pets in visiting areas with prior approval.

Dr. Sandra Petersen’s Connections program sets Spokane memory care apart. Our memory loss team includes dementia specialists and Connections Academy graduates who provide exercise for the brain and body. Personalized care and intentional programming make a difference.

Looking for evidence-based Alzheimer’s care in South Spokane? Families are encouraged to visit South Hill Village to see the difference in person.

Connect - Move - Learn

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

Programming that
Makes a Difference

The right community and programming can significantly improve your loved one’s quality of life.

The Connections program will support your loved one by:

Engaging the Emotions

Activities like music, art, and social interaction are designed to trigger memory and positive emotions 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, and the Connections program encourages physical activity to maximize quality of life. Under careful supervision, South Hill Village residents can participate in boxing, walking clubs, and other fitness programs to help them achieve an active body and mind.

Challenging the Brain

Our associates providing dementia care near Spokane Valley are 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

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

Research-Backed Music Therapy for Dementia

Dr. Petersen is the memory care expert who inspires our program. We also partner with evidence-based programs like SingFit. This activity helps promote brain plasticity. We offer music therapy to ignite memories, encourage movement, and unite residents.

Inspired by Experience

Medical Director Dr. Sandra Petersen’s background in the memory care field goes back over 30 years, but it was her own experience that 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, including learning Spanish and ballroom dancing.

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 in South Spokane can be difficult for older adults. Our program is working to remove the fear of the unknown and welcome residents home to independence. Senior care has been a personal and professional mission for Dr. Sandra Petersen for over three decades. Her practice focuses on neuroscience and the transformative power of rewiring the brain despite Alzheimer’s and dementia.