Green House home grand opening celebrates a new model of memory care

Taylor Glen celebrated the grand opening this week of its Green House home, marking the first of its kind in North Carolina dedicated to dementia and cognitive care.

The milestone event brought together future residents, families, staff, and community leaders to witness a transformative approach to memory care that prioritizes dignity, autonomy, and personalized support. The home will provide care for 12 members of the Taylor Glen community.

The new home is different than traditional memory care facilities, featuring private bedrooms, inviting communal spaces, and a consistent team of specially trained caregivers known as Shahbazim who provide person-directed care in a real home environment.

“This opening marks the beginning of anew chapter in compassionate senior care,” said Reed VanderSlik, President and CEO of ThriveMore. “The Green House model aligns with our mission to honor every stage of aging with dignity and purpose.”

Distinguished speakers at the grand opening included:

• Rachel Graham, a national leader in the Green House Project, who said this opening is the result of the dedication of the team and will have results that “will ripple far beyond these walls”
• Janet Blanford, ThriveMore Board of Directors member, who celebrated the growth of the community and praised Reed’s visionary leadership for launching this project
• Tom Akins, President and CEO of LeadingAge, who spoke about the innovation and potential impact for this Green House model

“It’s a place for residents and family members and friends and, just as importantly, for staff to grow and thrive and live,” Tom said.

Compared to workers at traditional nursing homes, care partners at Green House communities experience more job satisfaction, less stress and more time for direct care to every elder in their care, he said.

The Green House model distinguishes itself through its small-home approach, where relationships between residents and consistent caregivers form the foundation of daily life, supporting cognitive health with empathy and respect. This model has been shown to improve residents’ quality of life, reduce depression and maintain residents’ self-care abilities for longer.

Guests toured the new home and met with Irha Bradley, the Green House Guide, and received personal tours from the Shahbazim care team. The home’s design includes warm communal spaces, an open-concept kitchen for shared meals, and thoughtful touches that create a family-like atmosphere.

Tiarra Thompson. CNA, is one Shahbaz who helped guide tours of the home. She said she’s excited for the opening because she’ll be able to care for residents in innovative, holistic ways.

“Caring for people is something that I truly love doing,” she said.

Taylor Glen resident Madeleine Frigault plans to volunteer at the Green House home because she said it will be an opportunity for residents with dementia to have more charge of their own lives. She said the home is beautifully designed.

“I think it’s going to give them a being-at-home feeling,” she said.

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