Piedmont Gardens Names Charlene Wolf Program Manager of Memory Support Residences

OAKLAND, Calif. - June 3, 2014 - PRLog -- Piedmont Gardens recently named Charlene Wolf program manager for the senior living community’s memory support residences, The Grove. Wolf brings more than 30 years of experience working with older adults, and has had a lifelong passion for serving those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Her personal background and experience will build upon the success of a variety of memory support programs offered to residents at The Grove.

"Charlene is an asset to the team and a true example of someone who understands our philosophy at The Grove,” said Kevin Smith, executive director at Piedmont Gardens.  “While she’s leading the team, there are a number of unique programs and services she’ll help oversee, including The Best Friends Approach.”

The Best Friends™  Approach focuses on building relationships with residents based on individual life stories and experiences, and provides a therapeutic environment, creative activities, and well-trained professionals who help residents feel safe, secure and valued. All team members working at The Grove will be a ‘best friend’ with residents.

They’re responsible for learning about the residents’ lives from their families, and interacting with them to increase positivity, prevent isolation and continue socialization. The Grove also offers a variety of programs and activities that benefit residents living with memory loss, including art and music therapy, improvisation classes and drum circles.

“Caregivers at The Grove are trained to encourage and facilitate a number of physical, spiritual, intellectual and social activities, based on the needs and capabilities of each resident,” said Smith. “Our culture at Piedmont Gardens is focused on personalized care, and we’re proud to be able to offer these kinds of programs and services for older adults and their families in the Oakland area.”

About Piedmont Gardens

Piedmont Gardens is located at 110 41st Street in Oakland, Calif. The nonprofit continuing care retirement community (CCRC) promotes a lifestyle of activity, security and convenience. Piedmont Gardens creates a quality environment for residents in a setting that is responsive to their desire for an independent lifestyle and supplemental care as may be required during their lifetime. Piedmont Gardens is the first community in Oakland to receive CARF-CCAC special program recognition in three distinct areas, including continuing care retirement community, person-centered long-term care for skilled nursing, and dementia care for memory support. The accreditation process involves a team of professionals that evaluate the community based on its finances, policies, procedures and practices. For more information, call 1-866-631-7943 or visit PiedmontGardens.com.

About ABHOW

Piedmont Gardens is managed by ABHOW, a California nonprofit public benefit corporation. ABHOW is a nonsectarian corporation, serving older adults through quality retirement housing since 1949. ABHOW seeks to enhance the well-being and security of seniors through the provision of housing, health care and supportive services, and was a pioneer in the development of CCRCs. For more information about ABHOW, visit ABHOW.com.