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Meet Our Memory Care Neighborhoods: The Kensington Club, Connections, & Haven

Memory loss is a journey, not a moment, and no two paths look exactly alike. 

At The Kensington Bethesda, we understand that memory care should never be one-size-fits-all. That’s why we offer three distinct memory care neighborhoods, each tailored to meet residents where they are with warmth, dignity, and personalized support.

Whether your loved one is just beginning to show signs of forgetfulness or facing more advanced dementia, our memory care levels are thoughtfully designed to meet evolving needs, without ever compromising connection, comfort, or quality of life.

In this article, we’ll introduce you to the Kensington Club, Connections, and Haven, and explain how each plays a vital role in supporting families through every stage of memory care.

Our Promise is to love and care for your family as we do our own.

Why Multiple Levels of Memory Care Matter

Dementia progresses in stages, and each stage brings unique challenges, not only for the individual but for their loved ones. 

Some residents may need mild reminders and structure, while others require 24/7 care and a secure environment.

By offering layered levels of memory support, The Kensington Bethesda ensures that:

  • Residents always receive the right level of care
  • Transitions between stages are smooth and familiar
  • Couples with different care needs can remain close together
  • Families can feel confident in a long-term solution that grows with them

Understanding how dementia progresses can help families choose the right neighborhood at the right time. 

The Alzheimer’s Association provides an excellent breakdown of behaviors associated with early, middle, and late-stage dementia, helping families recognize when transitions between Kensington Club, Connections, or Haven may be necessary.

Our approach supports not only the resident but the whole family, providing peace of mind at every step.

The Kensington Club: Early-Stage Support & Belonging

The Kensington Club is our entry-level memory support neighborhood, designed for residents in the earliest stages of cognitive change. These individuals are often still independent but may struggle with focus, word-finding, or memory lapses that affect daily routines.

In this supportive setting, residents enjoy:

  • Structured routines that bring calm and predictability
  • Small group activities tailored to cognitive abilities
  • Memory enhancement programs, including brain games and discussion groups
  • Companionship and social connection
  • Gentle reminders and light assistance with daily tasks

The Kensington Club is ideal for those who may not yet require full memory care but benefit from a bit more support than traditional assisted living offers. 

It helps residents maintain purpose, connection, and confidence while easing the transition toward more advanced care if needed.

Connections: Purposeful Mid-Stage Memory Care

The Connections memory care neighborhood at Kensington is specifically designed for residents in the mid-stages of dementia, those who need more frequent assistance but can still participate meaningfully in daily life.

This neighborhood features:

  • Secure, structured spaces to minimize wandering and confusion
  • Personalized care plans based on cognitive and physical abilities
  • Engaging, failure-free activities, such as music, art, and sensory therapy
  • Group and one-on-one programming to support social and emotional wellness
  • Routine and familiarity to create a sense of control and safety

Connections offers a calm, reassuring environment where residents can thrive despite memory changes. 

Our team is trained to use redirection, compassionate communication, and cueing techniques that preserve dignity while encouraging engagement.

Haven: Compassionate Advanced Memory Care

For residents in the later stages of dementia, the Haven neighborhood provides a deeply compassionate, secure space designed to support complex physical and cognitive needs.

In Haven, we offer:

  • 24/7 nursing oversight and specialized dementia care
  • Comfort-focused routines that reduce stress and anxiety
  • Soothing sensory experiences, like aromatherapy and music
  • Support for nonverbal communication and behavior changes
  • Private or shared suites with calming design and accessibility features
  • Palliative and end-of-life care, when appropriate, delivered with dignity and love

Our team’s approach in Haven is centered on presence and patience. We understand that even when memory fades, the ability to feel comfort, joy, and connection remains, and we build every moment around that understanding.

Personalized Care at Every Level

Across all three neighborhoods, The Kensington Club, Connections, and Haven, our care plans are tailored to fit each individual’s needs. 

We begin each resident’s journey with an in-depth assessment and ongoing communication with family members, medical providers, and our interdisciplinary care team.

Personalized support may include:

  • Medication management
  • Help with bathing, grooming, and dressing
  • Fall prevention strategies
  • Occupational, physical, or speech therapy coordination
  • Nutrition and hydration support
  • Emotional and spiritual care

This tailored approach ensures that each resident receives just the right level of support, neither too much, nor too little, while continuing to live with purpose and dignity.

A Seamless Journey of Care

One of the most unique aspects of memory care at The Kensington Bethesda is our ability to support residents across levels without requiring disruptive moves to different communities.

As a resident’s needs evolve, they remain surrounded by familiar faces, trusted caregivers, and a community that already knows them well. 

This continuity:

  • Reduces stress for both residents and families
  • Preserves relationships with caregivers and fellow residents
  • Allows for proactive planning and compassionate transitions

It also enables couples to remain close, even if one partner moves from assisted living into one of our memory care neighborhoods.

See Our Memory Care in Action

The best way to understand the difference between memory care levels is to experience them firsthand. 

During a visit to The Kensington Bethesda, we’ll walk you through each neighborhood, answer your questions, and help you envision how we can support your loved one’s unique journey.

We’ll also help you determine which level of care is the best starting point, whether that’s the early-stage support of Kensington Club or the advanced attention offered in Haven.

Contact us today to schedule a personal tour and discover the warmth, safety, and personalized care that define memory support at The Kensington Bethesda.