In 2025, Sunrise at Bluemont Park, our assisted living and memory care community in Arlington, Virginia, was recognized in U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Senior Living” survey, earning top honors in Memory Care, with a special accolade in Caregiving. The recognition reflects the compassion, adaptability, and deep commitment of the team who support residents living with Alzheimer’s, dementia, or another form of memory loss each day. For the caregivers in the community, the recognition is less about an award and more about affirmation.
“To be acknowledged for this work means a lot,” shared Julliette Jones, Associate Executive Director at Sunrise at Bluemont Park. “Caregiving in memory care takes patience, heart, and passion. Our team shows up every day ready to meet residents where they are and support them in the ways they need most.”
Dementia Care Guided by Empathy and Understanding
At the heart of Sunrise at Bluemont Park’s memory care approach is an understanding that no two residents or days are the same. Caregivers are encouraged to stay flexible, lead with empathy, and adapt in the moment. Our memory care communities—known as Reminiscence neighborhoods—operate with this philosophy in mind.
“Being a Reminiscence caregiver means you have to wear many hats,” said Titty Turay, Resident Care Coordinator. “You learn when to redirect, when to validate, and when to simply give someone time.”
This adaptability shows up in everyday moments, from adjusting routines to honoring lifelong identities. Caregivers regularly use evidence-based memory care techniques, including the Validation method, music, storytelling, and gentle redirection to help residents feel safe, understood, and respected.
“When you validate instead of correct, everything changes,” Turay explained. “You meet them in their reality. That’s where trust is built.”
Sunrise’s Orientation Training is recognized by the Alzheimer’s Association for incorporating Dementia Care Practice Recommendations, and many team members complete the organization’s essentiALZ® training. Together with validation techniques, this foundation helps caregivers like the team at Sunrise at Bluemont Park respond with empathy, consistency, and respect in everyday moments.
Personalized Memory Care Evolves with Residents’ Needs
At Sunrise at Bluemont Park, residents’ care plans, known as Individualized Service Plans (ISPs), are not static documents. They continue to evolve as caregivers learn more about each resident’s personal history, preferences, and routines.
“We always tell families they know their loved one best,” Jones shared. “We gather that information, observe behaviors, and keep building on it. Our plans aren’t generic. They’re resident-specific.”
The impact of this personalized approach is felt in the small, everyday moments that shape a resident’s experience. Caregivers pay close attention to patterns and behaviors, working together to understand what brings comfort and familiarity to each individual.
In one instance, a resident who regularly gravitated toward a crib in the evening was not disengaging from activities, but returning to a lifelong caregiving role that caregivers uncovered through conversations with her children. By connecting this behavior to her personal history and reflecting it in her service plan, the team was able to support the routine rather than redirect it, helping her feel calm and understood.
In another moment, a resident who struggled with showering responded differently when caregivers adjusted the environment based on documented preferences. Warming the room, playing a meaningful song, and allowing extra time transformed a stressful task into a moment of connection.
These thoughtful adjustments help preserve dignity, build trust, and reinforce a sense of belonging for residents and their families—key goals in person-centered memory care.
Dedicated Memory Care Caregivers Make It All Possible
Sunrise at Bluemont Park’s leadership emphasizes open communication, ongoing education, and teamwork to ensure caregivers feel supported as they navigate emotionally demanding work. Their focus is on helping residents continue to live with purpose, joy, and connection. That culture of support was immediately noticeable to Brian Williams, Executive Director, who joined the community after a career in hospitality.
“What stands out to me is the empathy and engagement,” Williams said. “The patience, the energy, the way caregivers connect. It’s something you have to experience firsthand. Residents are not only treated with dignity and respect, but they’re truly engaged.”
As Sunrise continues its mission to help seniors live longer, healthier, and happier lives, the memory care team at our memory care community in Arlington, Virginia, exemplifies what compassionate caregiving can truly mean. Their approach is rooted in acceptance, guided by empathy, and carried out with heart.
If you are exploring assisted living or memory care for a loved one, our team at Sunrise at Bluemont Park is here to help. They’ll walk you through care options, answer questions, and support you in determining whether our senior living community in Arlington is a good fit. You can also find a Sunrise Senior Living near you to explore locations in different areas.