The Birches in Clarendon Hills earns Montessori credentials

Chicago Tribune

7 days ago

The Birches Assisted Living & Memory Care first opened in Clarendon Hills nearly 26 years ago.
Now, the private, locally-owned senior living community has been designated as the first Gold Credentialed Montessori Inspired Lifestyle community in Illinois by the Center for Applied Research in Dementia.
That organization develops, innovates, and applies its Montessori Dementia methodology with a specialized team of diverse scientific professionals, according to information from CARD.
It stated Gold-level organizations have demonstrated at least one exemplary and innovative achievement in applying Montessori principles. This milestone is met by following the lead of the residents, who decide together on an initiative that is important to them and how they would like to pursue that initiative.
Additionally, every Gold-level community must complete a half-day credentialing visit by CARD staff and develop a sustainability plan.
'The team at The Birches is devoted to building a true Montessori Inspired Lifestyle for their community, earning them the highest Gold level credential,' CARD representatives said in a statement. 'They have not only embraced the foundational tenets of the program, but exceeded expectations through innovation and continued learning.'
'Achieving Gold credentialing is not just a badge of honor, it's a natural reflection of who we are,' said Jacqueline Sander, executive director and chief executive officer of The Birches. 'We believe that aging should be a journey of growth, not decline.'
Sander said that by using the Montessori approach, the Birches empowers its residents and team members to thrive, physically, emotionally, and socially, every day.
'Communities that embrace the Montessori Inspired Lifestyle see healthier and happier residents, reduced use of medications, fewer behavioral symptoms, more engaged families, and improved staff satisfaction and retention,' she said.
Sander said the major difference supporting the Montessori Inspired Lifestyle versus other communities is the culture that has been built at The Birches.
'Each person, resident and team member, is treated with respect, dignity, a choice, a voice, and so much more,' she said. 'Our team has created a failure-free environment. We try things together, collaborate on initiatives together, create new clubs or committees as inspired, adjust spaces based on current interests, needs, and trends, and create the home, with resident-driven decisions, that we would be proud to live in ourselves.'
Sander said The Birches' team was originally trained by nationally known authors and trainers, Tom and Karen Brenner, in 2002 on the Montessori Methods and philosophy for those living with memory loss.
'Since then, we have built upon this foundation with a focus on using Montessori Methods to support our successful aging culture over the years for all members living and working in our community,' she said.
'Applying Montessori Methods is a tool in our toolbox to support our residents and their families with a focus on choice and empowerment. It allows our team to support them where they are at, encourage growth, adjust our offerings to their personal lifestyle when needed, and much more.'
That is important, Sander said, because there isn't a 'one size fits all' when caring for residents.
'Individuals living in a community each have individual wants, needs, lifestyle choices, purpose, and value to contribute,' she said. 'Our community embraces the possibilities.'
Sander said the culture that has been fostered at The Birches using Montessori Methods has attracted quality new hires looking to make a difference in their day and the way the culture retains long-tenured team members.
'Knowing they have the permission, flexibility, and capability to truly make a difference in the lives they touch, in a way that is resident-driven and resident-focused, has been truly priceless,' she said.
The Birches, located at 215 55th St., currently supports 82 residents and has the capacity of 90 apartments, located on two acres, with varied private apartment styles.