Purple Flag Excellence in Dementia Care™ has reached a major milestone with its first accredited community in Maryland – Lorien Health’s Harmony Hall, a LifeSpan Network community. This accreditation marks Purple Flag’s official expansion into the state and underscores the strength of its growing partnerships.
“Lorien Health has long been recognized for quality care and innovation with strong family values,” said Christopher Carter, Founder & CEO of Purple Flag Excellence in Dementia Care and President of the Connecticut Assisted Living Association. “With the support of LifeSpan Network, their leadership in achieving this milestone at Lorien Harmony Hall leads the way for Maryland communities to take actionable steps toward better dementia care.”
Purple Flag’s already existing partnership with LifeSpan Network, Maryland’s leading senior living association, played a key role in the introduction to Lorien Health and supporting the Harmony Hall community through the accreditation process. Their collaboration highlights a shared commitment to advancing quality care for individuals living with dementia and sets the stage for continued growth with additional Maryland communities already in discussion.
“LifeSpan represents over 500 senior living provider organizations across the State of Maryland. Lorien has been an integral part of our association for many years, consistently demonstrating leadership and innovation in senior care,” said Kevin Heffner, President of LifeSpan Network. ‘We are proud to recognize Lorien Harmony Hall as the first Purple Flag-accredited community in Maryland and among our distinguished members. The opening of Harmony Park and the achievement of this accreditation reflect Lorien’s ongoing commitment to quality, compassion, and person-centered care.”
For more than four decades, Lorien Health Services has upheld its legacy as a family-owned and family-operated organization, guided by the same founding values established in 1977. Those values, rooted in trust, compassion, and accountability, extend not only to residents, but also to their loved ones and the dedicated team members who serve them each day. The new Purple Flag accreditation and forward-thinking partnership with its Harmony Hall community solidify these same principles in senior living care.
“We are extremely proud of our team at Lorien for working so hard to achieve the Purple Flag designation,” said Lou Grimmel, Sr., Chief Executive Officer of Lorien Health Services. “The Purple Flag distinguishes us from all other assisted living communities and nursing homes in Maryland signifying that every member of our team has met the highest standards of care for people suffering with dementia and Alzheimer’s.”
To earn this accreditation, Lorien Harmony Hall demonstrated an alignment with the 10 Best Practice Program Standards outlined by Purple Flag, specifically designed for caring for individuals with dementia. Purple Flag identified these policies and procedures as integral to making a meaningful difference in dementia care. Many residents in a traditional assisted living environment may experience varying degrees of memory loss, so providers must be equipped to support these residents.