Best Friends Approach

What is the Best Friends™ Approach?

What people experiencing memory loss need most of all is someone dedicated to helping them feel safe, secure, and valued—at all stages of the disease. That is why The Rouse Estate has adopted the Best Friends™ approach and earned the designation Best Friends™ Environment.

This person-centered care model is grounded in the understanding that relationships are supremely important in dementia care and should reflect the essential elements of friendship: respect, empathy, support, trust, humor. The approach promotes the dignity and individual rights of people with memory loss through knowing the history and preferences of each person, communicating skillfully, and providing a supportive environment and meaningful engagement.

Why Friendship?

Friends know each other’s history and personality. They do things together, communicate, laugh often, build self-esteem, and share stories. When the world seems strange and uncertain, we need a friend more than ever. These essential elements of friendship are incorporated into our care practices, giving our staff the knowledge and skills to provide individualized, meaningful attention within a trust-filled relationship.

How Does It Work?

Your loved one will be in the caring hands of staff who are trained in the Best Friends approach by an onsite Certified Master Trainer. Our people receive comprehensive instruction and guidance in how to provide superior dementia care by approaching activities, communication, mealtimes, personal care, and challenging situations with dignity, compassion, empathy, and respect. Staff are familiar with each person’s life story and help sustain their identities, past experiences, and preferences. We are committed to helping those with memory loss live their best lives while in our care.

Best Friends™ and its logos are trademarks of Health Professions Press, Inc