1. Who is the Blossom Respite for?

The Blossom is designed for individuals with a diagnosis of early-stage dementia who can participate in a small-group, socially oriented environment with minimal hands-on assistance.

Participation is based on an initial conversation, possible in-home visit, and introductory session to ensure the program is an appropriate and safe fit for both the individual and the group.

2. What happens during a typical day?

Each day follows a structured but flexible format including music, conversation, and light creative activities in a café-style setting.

The program is designed to support engagement, social connection, and quality of life, not clinical or therapeutic interventions.

The day is from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm

A healthy lunch is served at noon. Dietary restrictions are always accommodated with discussion with our team.

3. What type of program is the Blossom?

The Blossom operates as a non-medical, social model program.

• We do not provide medical care or clinical services

• We do not administer, store, or manage medications

• Staff are not acting in a medical or licensed caregiving capacity

Families remain responsible for all medical and clinical needs.

4. Do care partners stay, or can they leave?

Care partners may remain on-site or leave during the program, provided their loved one has been assessed as appropriate for participation.

For the initial (complimentary) session, a care partner is required to remain on-site and available at all times.

5. Can we come try it out before committing?

Yes. please do! We require a half-day or full-day introductory session rather than brief drop-in visits or observation.

This ensures:

• A more accurate understanding of the program

• A safe and appropriate group dynamic

• A meaningful evaluation of fit

• There is no fee for this first session

• A care partner must remain on-site and available throughout

We can’t accommodate observational visits, as they can be disruptive and may not provide a reliable sense of the experience for a family.

6. What if my loved one is hesitant to participate?

Initial hesitation is common. We use a gradual, relationship-based approach and do not force participation.

The introductory session is intentionally designed to provide enough time for adjustment and engagement. Continued participation is based on whether your family member can be comfortably and safely integrated into the group setting.

7. How do you handle bathroom needs?

Participants must be able to use the bathroom independently.

• Staff will monitor from outside the restroom for general awareness and safety

• Staff do not provide physical assistance with toileting

If assistance is required, a family care partner must be present to provide that support.

8. What are your mobility requirements?

Participants must be able to move themselves independently.

• The use of a cane, walker, or wheelchair is permitted

• Staff do not provide physical transfer or mobility assistance

Individuals must be able to safely navigate the space without hands-on support from staff.

9. What if my family member has specific or additional needs?

We welcome and encourage conversations about individual needs and will make efforts to accommodate where appropriate.

However, participation is contingent upon the individual’s needs being consistent with early-stage dementia and compatible with a non-medical, social model setting.

If needs exceed the scope of the program, we will communicate that clearly and, when possible, help guide families toward more appropriate resources.

10. How do you ensure safety and quality of care?

We maintain a structured environment with trained staff, clear boundaries of care, and ongoing observation of participants.

At the same time, families should understand that:

• The Blossom is a non-clinical setting

• Care is supportive and supervisory, not medical or hands-on

Ongoing participation is dependent on the individual continuing to be a safe and appropriate fit for the program environment.

Pricing & Logistics

11. What does it cost to attend?

Our first-year pricing is $50 per day.

We offer a complimentary introductory session (half-day or full-day), with a care partner present, to assess fit and comfort before enrollment.

12. What is the program schedule?

The Blossom meets on:

• Tuesdays and Wednesdays

• 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

A monthly calendar is distributed in advance.

13. Is there a caregiver support group? When does it meet?

Yes. We offer a weekly caregiver support group.

• Schedule is included in the monthly calendar

• No cost to participate

This group is separate from program hours and designed specifically for care partner support.

14. How do I know if the Blossom is the right fit?

Fit is determined through:

1. Initial conversation

2. Introductory session

3. Ongoing observation during participation

We prioritize the safety, comfort, and experience of both the individual and the group as a whole. If the program is not the right fit, we will communicate that directly and thoughtfully.

15. Can participation change over time?

Yes. Dementia is progressive, and needs may evolve.

Continued participation is based on the individual remaining:

• Appropriate for a social, non-medical setting

• Able to participate safely without hands-on assistance

If needs change, we will work with families to reassess fit and next steps.