Immeasurably More

Keeping Couples Together

“There is nothing like this anywhere in the United States, or, frankly, anywhere in the world.” – Rachael Wonderlin, MS, Owner of Dementia By Day

The Couples Memory Care Project began as all good ideas do: from a story. Reed VanderSlik was speaking a gentleman who was caring for his wife at their home and realized that after 67 years of marriage, he couldn’t safely continue caring for her, much less keep their beloved traditions alive.

Thrive Together solves that challenge for couples in North Carolina.

In March 1951, the first residents of Baptist Retirement Homes moved into the Resthaven Community in Winston-Salem. As the first woman arrived on opening day, she lifted her arms and cried, “I’m home … I’m home!”

For more than 70 years, we have been “home” to thousands of North Carolinians, who have thrived at each of our highly respected senior living communities.

Now, it is time for us to do IMMEASURABLY MORE … to solve new challenges, meet growing needs, and chart a new path for memory care in senior living.

Facing an Unmet Need in Memory Care – Keeping Couples Together

In May 2024, the Senior Housing News BRAIN Conference took place in Chicago. ThriveMore CEO and President Reed VanderSlik and Vice President of Operations Jessica McCollum sat down with Dementia by Day Founder and CEO Rachael Wonderlin and Senior Housing News to discuss a need in memory care that is currently unfulfilled: a Couples Memory Care program.

IMMEASURABLY MORE
Mindfulness

Together with the Board of Directors, ThriveMore is focused on transforming the lives of our community members in need of memory care and support. Mindful Impressions, a signature dementia care program, surrounds residents and their caregivers with comprehensive resources and the support of staff who are educated and trained to help navigate the emotional and complex realities of living with cognitive impairments.

 

MORE is needed. There are unmet needs in this population, and we are committed to leading the way forward. That’s why we are asking you to join us in doing IMMEASURABLY MORE for older adults and their caregivers, as we help them thrive more with innovative solutions.

IMMEASURABLY MORE
Innovation


We have selected our Brookridge community in Winston-Salem to pilot a residential solution that will enable a caregiving spouse to reside with their partner who is navigating the challenges of dementia. With input from caregivers and the expertise of a North Carolina-based architect, we have developed a new model of specialized senior living, with a footprint that simply does not exist in the marketplace today.

 

We envision a spacious home with an added studio apartment that provides:

• Protection and safety whenever the caregiving spouse is temporarily unavailable
• Around-the-clock access to dedicated, trained staff
• Access to engaging activities and a secure courtyard

IMMEASURABLY MORE
Vision

Throughout our 70-plus year history, generous financial support has helped provide quality care and welcoming neighborhoods to older adults in our North Carolina communities. We are excited to honor our Baptist heritage and take our long-standing tradition into the future by advancing revolutionary ideas for senior living, especially for individuals with memory loss and for the people who care for them.

 

A new vision for memory care is needed more than ever. We know this is important to you too. You can help build solutions and set new standards in senior living that will transform the future of aging well in North Carolina.

IMMEASURABLY MORE
Innovation

We have set a goal of $3 million for these two projects.
 
$1 million for THE GREEN HOUSE® home. This is the estimated additional cost to build this model vs. a traditional assisted living facility.
 
$2 million for the couple’s memory care residences. This goal supports operations and services debt at 80% occupancy, significantly reducing organizational risk. The project is fully sustainable at 95% occupancy.
 
Your gift to the IMMEASURABLY MORE campaign will provide the momentum we need to improve options for memory care and help older adults thrive more.

IMMEASURABLY MORE
Ways to give

 

Give now. Gifts of cash, check, credit card, and stocks are always accepted. Please make checks payable to Baptist Retirement Homes Foundation and mail to 1912 Bethabara Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27106. Please include “IM Campaign” on the memo line. Gifts can also be made through our secure online portal. Please select “IM Campaign” as your Designation.
 
Give now and later. Make a pledge today that supports the IMMEASURABLY MORE campaign over the next three years. We will provide a pledge form so you can structure your gift in a way that works best for you.
 
Give later. While the need for these projects is urgent, we recognize that you may wish to ensure your legacy by supporting the future of these endeavors. Deferring your gift through a life insurance policy, trust, retirement plan or bequest will make it possible for you to sustain our mission in perpetuity.
 
Give creatively. Your gift is uniquely personal. Let’s schedule a conversation to discuss other options if one of the suggestions above is not right for you.

Gift Now