On Thursday, September 15, we celebrated the groundbreaking of Clara’s Garden, Vermont’s newest memory care program located at The Gary Residence, and slated to open in fall of 2023.

Dawn Palowski, Executive Director of O.M. Fisher Home (nonprofit sponsor of Westview Meadows and The Gary Residence), emceed the event, introducing speakers Nancy Martin, board president, and the project’s head architect from GBA Architecture and Planning. Grand Senior Living consultants and other representatives from partner organizations were also in attendance as we celebrated the start of construction on the newest addition to our residential care facilities.

This new addition has been carefully and thoughtfully designed to meet the needs of family members living with memory loss in a safe, structured, and home-like environment. The new unit will provide private and semi-private apartments for up to 18 residents with 24/7 specialized care, allowing family members dignity and comfort while aging in place.

We thank all attendees of the event and supporters of Clara’s Garden as we look forward to filling the gaps for Vermonters with memory loss, a currently underserved population.

For more information about Clara’s Garden or the groundbreaking ceremony, please contact:

Dawn Palowski
(802) 223-1068

Congratulations to Amira Drljacic for her award from the Vermont Health Care Association, take a look at this great article on her!

War Survivor Amira Drljacic Wins Housekeeper of the Year Award

The Gary Residence staff getting “hands on” training to better understand what everyday life is like for someone with Dementia.
A big thank you to The Arbors at Shelburne for the training and helping better educate the staff on this important subject.

Dementia is a syndrome, usually of a chronic or progressive nature, caused by a variety of brain illnesses that affect memory, thinking, behavior and ability to perform everyday activities.

The number of people living with dementia worldwide is currently estimated at 47 million and is projected to increase to 75 million by 2030. The number of cases of dementia are estimated to almost triple by 2050.

Dementia is overwhelming not only for the people who have it, but also for their caregivers and families. There is a lack of awareness and understanding of dementia in most countries, resulting in stigmatization, barriers to diagnosis and care, and impacting careers, families and societies physically, psychologically and economically.

The Montpelier Bridge newspaper has an article about all the exciting changes happening at The Gary Residence.

Learn more about what is happening and the reason behind this change.

The Gary Residence: “New Name, New Look, Same Great Care”