Dementia care is challenging, but you don’t have to figure it out alone. Join us at our community events to learn how to support your loved one better—while helping you avoid caregiver fatigue.
The Kensington Sierra Madre hosted “Dementia Friendly Training for the City of Sierra Madre Community: Positive Approach to Care”, a hands-on event to help caregivers manage the behavioral challenges of Alzheimer’s and dementia.
This training, led by PAC-certified mentor Leandra Sims, will give you practical tools for confidently navigating difficult moments.
Keep reading to learn more about PAC and how it assists in providing compassionate and attentive memory care.
What is memory care?
What’s the difference between assisted living and memory care, and why are they often found in the same communities?
Memory care is specialized support for people experiencing memory loss due to dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, ALS, or other neurological conditions.
While assisted living helps seniors who need some daily assistance, memory care is designed specifically for those with cognitive decline.
Here’s how assisted living and memory care differ:
- A secure environment: Prevents wandering and keeps residents safe
- Higher supervision & nursing care: 24/7 support from trained memory care professionals
- Calm, structured spaces: Reduces overstimulation and confusion
Memory care ensures your loved one gets the specialized attention they need in a setting designed for their safety, comfort, and well-being.
What is a Positive Approach to Care for dementia behaviors?
Positive Approach to Care® (PAC) was created by Teepa Snow, a dementia care specialist with over 40 years of experience in neurology, occupational therapy, and senior care.
She developed PAC as a compassionate and effective way to handle the challenging behaviors that often come with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
One of the most difficult things for caregivers to adjust to is how these diseases strip away a person’s filter—suddenly, your once-mild-mannered loved one might become argumentative, stubborn, or even outright aggressive.
They might lash out, refuse help, or say hurtful things without realizing the impact of their words. If you’re not used to it, it’s easy to snap back, lose patience, or raise your voice—things that make you and your loved one feel worse.
PAC is all about shifting the reaction
Instead of seeing frustration as defiance, it teaches caregivers to recognize it as a sign of discomfort or confusion.
The goal isn’t to control or correct your loved one—it’s to de-escalate, redirect, and support.
Here’s how PAC works in action:
- Approach from the front: Avoid startling your loved one by always making eye contact first.
- Use calm, simple language: Short sentences, a gentle voice, and a reassuring expression can prevent agitation.
- Offer choices instead of demands: Instead of “You need to get dressed,” say, “Would you like to wear the blue shirt or the green one?”
- Validate, then redirect: If they insist it’s 1962 and they’re late for work, don’t argue. Acknowledge their concern and gently shift the conversation to something comforting.
PAC isn’t about ignoring bad behavior. It’s about understanding that people’s brains are changing and that they can’t always control their reactions.
When you change your approach, you can prevent fights before they start, ease their distress, and create more peaceful, positive moments together.
The Kensington Sierra Madre: three memory care neighborhoods, one mission
In addition to our assisted living community, we offer memory care, designed to meet residents where they are in their dementia journey.
Our memory care community is divided into three specialized neighborhoods: The Kensington Club (early memory care for new and current assisted living residents), Connections (for early to mid-stage memory loss), and Haven (for middle to advanced stages).
These adaptive environments reduce overstimulation, promote consistency, and create a calm, supportive space where residents feel safe and engaged.
The Kensington Club (Early memory care for new and current assisted living residents)
- Features a strong relationship-based focus, peer support, sensory movement, and family participation.
- Provides an environment where residents can interact and engage together through activities and specialized programming.
Connections (For early to mid-stage Dementia and Alzheimer’s)
- This neighborhood is geared toward folks still maintaining good independence but showing noticeable memory challenges.
- Consider it a place where residents can still enjoy group games, social activities, or cooking demos—with extra support and gentle reminders.
- Staff keep a watchful eye on potential wandering or anxiety without intruding on dignity and independence.
Haven (for middle to late-stage Dementia and Alzheimer’s)
- If your loved one is having trouble recognizing family members, organizing daily tasks, or dealing with incontinence, Haven could be a better fit.
- It’s all about increased support in a cozy, secure space. Team members are well-versed in managing sundowning (those late-afternoon agitation spells) and other challenging behaviors.
- Instead of trying to force a “one-size-fits-all” approach, care plans are custom-tailored to each resident, factoring in what they can still do independently and where they need help.
Why The Kensington Sierra Madre is a Positive Approach to Care Community
In 2022, The Kensington Sierra Madre became the first PAC-designated organization in California, and for good reason—caring for someone with dementia requires more than patience; it requires skill.
That’s why every team member, from caregivers to nurses to dining, is trained in Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Care® (PAC).
This training isn’t just theory—it’s hands-on, real-world techniques that help us handle challenging behaviors, prevent agitation, and connect with residents even when words fail them.
Putting PAC into practice
For example, instead of grabbing a resident’s arm to guide them to dinner (which can cause fear or aggression), we approach from the front, make eye contact, and offer a gentle hand signal.
Instead of correcting a resident who insists they must “go home” (which can escalate into distress), we validate their feelings and redirect them with a familiar activity or soothing conversation.
These small but powerful changes create a calmer, safer, and more supportive environment for our residents—and make caregiving less stressful for our team.
Want to see these techniques in action? Watch our video above to hear directly from our care partners about their favorite PAC strategies and how they make life better for our residents daily.
Get expert-level memory care at The Kensington Sierra Madre
At The Kensington Sierra Madre, we provide assisted living and specialized memory care.
We have two dedicated neighborhoods: Connections for early to mid-stage dementia and Haven for advanced stages.
Every team member is trained in Positive Approach to Care® (PAC), which teaches how to handle the challenges of memory loss with skill and compassion.
If your loved one is showing signs of dementia, don’t wait to get help.
Watch our videos, explore our blogs, and reach out to The Kensington Sierra Madre today to learn how we can support your family and provide the care your loved one deserves.