Braley Care Homes

08/24/2026

Happy 51st Birthday Chris!

08/21/2026

08/21/2026

Understanding dementia begins with understanding what the experience can feel like.

Chris Braley of Braley Care Homes recently shared how the Dementia Experience Trailer gives caregivers, families, and community members an opportunity to experience some of the everyday challenges a person living with dementia may face. Participants wear specialized glasses, gloves, and headphones that affect their vision, dexterity, and hearing while they attempt to complete simple tasks. Afterward, trained observers help participants talk through what they experienced and how it made them feel.

The goal isn't simply to make everyday tasks more difficult. It's to build empathy. When something that normally seems simple suddenly becomes confusing or frustrating, it can offer a different perspective on why someone living with dementia may become anxious, overwhelmed, frustrated, or react in ways others don't immediately understand.

The newly improved Dementia Experience Trailer is also designed to make these educational experiences easier to bring into the community. Braley is involved with Dementia Friendly St. Albans, a group focused on helping make the community more welcoming and accessible for people living with dementia and the caregivers who support them. Through education and community events, the organization works to reduce stigma and help families feel more comfortable staying connected to their communities.

Sometimes greater patience and compassion begin with seeing the world from someone else's perspective. The Dementia Experience is helping our community do exactly that.

08/12/2026

Happy Birthday Charleen!!

08/06/2026

Homegrown meal from our garden! Everyone gave it a thumbs up! We are so proud!!

08/02/2026

Happy Birthday Diane!!

07/31/2026

We are so thrilled, we got 6 ears of corn on the cob out of the garden today! We also got some lettuce, peppers and some carrots. We got a purple carrot!!

07/31/2026

There’s something special about watching a garden grow—and at Braley Care Homes, it’s about so much more than fresh vegetables.

Gardening gives our residents the opportunity to reconnect with cherished memories, whether it’s tending a family garden, helping on the farm, or preparing homegrown meals. From planting seeds to harvesting vegetables and enjoying them at the dinner table, every step encourages conversation, laughter, and a renewed sense of purpose.

Our accessible raised garden allows residents of all abilities, including those who use wheelchairs, to participate in the experience. As they care for tomatoes, corn, green beans, cucumbers, and flowers, familiar sights and routines help spark meaningful memories while keeping them active, engaged, and socially connected.

Whether you have a large garden or just a single potted plant, gardening can be a wonderful way to encourage activity, create daily routines, and bring moments of joy for someone living with memory loss. Sometimes the smallest seeds grow into the biggest smiles.

07/30/2026

We would like to thank Sarah for volunteering. She has done a great job. We all love her and will miss her. Good luck with all you do!

07/28/2026

We’ve been getting a lot of veggies from our garden! Carrie, our cook made pasta salad with them. It was delicious! We have been busy painting and doing puzzles also!