Purple Flag Excellence in Dementia Care™ announced that EPOCH Senior Living, one of the largest senior living providers in the northeast will reaccredit all 12 of its Bridges by EPOCH memory care communities, including one Waterstone Senior Living community. This milestone will bring Purple Flag’s total number of awarded accreditations and reaccreditations to 75 nationwide.

Senior living providers must undergo a rigorous reaccreditation process every three years to continue to fly the Purple Flag. EPOCH announced in June of 2023 that it would pursue accreditation of all of its memory care locations. Now, after three years of experience with the program, all 12 of its memory care locations will pursue reaccreditation, meeting the latest Purple Flag standards.

Upon completion, EPOCH will become the second senior living organization in the nation to achieve system-wide reaccreditation through Purple Flag, reinforcing its long-standing leadership in dementia care and its commitment to continuous improvement. The commitment reflects EPOCH’s belief that excellence in dementia care is not a one-time achievement, but an ongoing process requiring continued investment in training, education, and best practices.

“EPOCH has long been recognized as a leader in memory care, and its decision to pursue system-wide reaccreditation demonstrates an unwavering commitment to maintaining the highest standards for residents and families,” said Christopher Carter, Founder and CEO of Purple Flag Excellence in Dementia Care™ and President of the Connecticut Assisted Living Association. “Reaccreditation is a powerful statement. It signifies that an organization is not simply preserving a standard, but actively working to strengthen and evolve it.”

EPOCH Senior Living operates a portfolio of senior living communities throughout the Northeast, including its nationally recognized Bridges® by EPOCH memory care communities, which were purposefully designed to support individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia through highly personalized care and specialized environments tailored to their needs.

As part of the reaccreditation process, EPOCH communities will once again demonstrate

alignment with Purple Flag’s 10 Best Practice Program Standards, which focus on areas including staff education, resident engagement, environmental design, family involvement, and person-centered care approaches.

“Organizations that pursue reaccreditation send a clear message to residents, families, and staff that excellence is not a destination,” Carter said. “It is a commitment that must be renewed and reaffirmed over time.”

The announcement also highlights the growing national impact of Purple Flag Excellence in Dementia Care™. While the organization has often highlighted the number of providers participating in the program, reaccreditation reflects an additional level of commitment by organizations that have experienced the benefits of the program and see the benefits.

“Each reaccreditation represents a provider making the decision to continue holding itself accountable to rigorous standards and ongoing improvement,” Carter added. “That continued commitment may be one of the strongest indicators of the program’s impact.”

More than seven million Americans age 65 and older currently live with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias, a number expected to increase significantly in the coming decades. As demand for dementia care continues to grow, providers that prioritize evidence-based practices and continuous quality improvement will play an increasingly important role in supporting residents and their families.

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ABOUT PURPLE FLAG EXCELLENCE IN DEMENTIA CARE™ Purple Flag Excellence in Dementia Care™ is an accreditation program developed to recognize excellence and drive continuous improvement in the quality of services provided by those who care for individuals living with Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias. Purple Flag Excellence in Dementia Care™ originated through a collaboration between the Institute for Senior Living Education (ISLE) and the Connecticut Assisted Living Association (CALA). Upon approval, providers receive the distinctive purple flag as a symbol that communicates their commitment to leadership in the field of memory care. Purple Flag accreditations cover four different senior care settings: memory care, assisted living, home care and hospice care.

To learn more about Purple Flag and for media inquiries, please contact Christopher Carter at cpcarter@ctassistedliving.com.

ABOUT EPOCH Senior Living EPOCH Senior Living is a premier provider of senior living communities throughout the Northeast, offering independent living, assisted living, and dedicated memory care services. Through its Bridges® by EPOCH memory care communities and Waterstone Senior Living communities, EPOCH is committed to delivering personalized, resident-centered experiences that promote wellness, dignity, and quality of life. EPOCH currently operates communities across Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and New