ON ISLAND
Martha's Vineyard Center for Living
Paves the Way to Living a Full Life with Memory Impairment
By Tessa Permar
When the challenges of growing older arise, the Martha’s Vineyard Center for Living (MVCL) provides families and individuals with a path toward continuing to live fully. In 2009, founder Leslie Clapp prioritized support, education and opportunities for those experiencing age-related challenges like dementia. This Spring Marcy Mary Holmes takes the helm as Executive Director, and furthers this culture of dignity, expertise, and person-centered care.
Mary Holmes began serving the MV community as a counselor at Camp Jabberwocky, age 17. There she practiced care through shared experience, creativity, and community. Holmes continued to work in supportive day program services aging services for nearly 20 years. A 2009 Vision Fellowship recipient, she earned her Masters degree in Gerontology while working as the Dementia Specialist at Windemere. At the MVCL, Holmes supported Leslie Clapp’s vision of Island-centered support for older adults living with disability, due to the impact of aging.and their caregivers. “We are about providing service to all of our neighbors by trying to help older adults live their best lives and create a solid support network for caregivers,” she shares. Toward this goal, the Center hosts a remarkable range of recreational, educational, and therapeutic programs to meet families and individuals at their facility.
Stacy Northrop runs the Supportive Day Program which serves 32 individuals. Mornings start with coffee and conversation, followed by a mix of physical exercise, memory and word activities, and creative practices like poetry, history, art, and music. The program embodies Holmes’ desire to “help people understand that if you have a Dementia diagnosis, or if you have [memory-loss], it’s not the end. You can still be a valuable part of the community. You still contribute. You still have a lot to give to those around you.” MVCL hosts the beloved Music and Memory Cafe every third Thursday of the month. A volunteer group of musicians lead participants in song, with snacks provided. This monthly event, and Music Fridays - local musical performances - are free and open to the entire Island.
For people that do best with one-on-one support, Ann Baird runs the Respite Innovations program. “Some people are more introverted,” Holmes explains, “and if a day program is not the right fit. We strive to create person-centered experiences and different opportunities for connections.” Through Respite Innovations, a Center for Living professional will go to an individual’s home which allows the full-time caregivers a break from their duties. This new program has already served more than 24 Island families.
The MV Center for Living also provides an incredible amount of educational and emotional support to the Vineyard community. Dementia Caregiver Support Group meets once a week over Zoom, while Early Memory Loss Support Group meets in person with a nurse practitioner. A nurse practitioner can provide memory screening and individualized dementia coaching to give families and their loved one’s tools for success. These can include things like sequencing clothing to make getting dressed easier or removing infrequently used products from spaces like showers and countertops.
As a Dementia Friend Champion, Mary Holmes connects with community organizations and local groups sharing wisdom from the internationally renowned training program Dementia Friends to help community members understand and help people with dementia live with dignity and purpose. The Center for Living provides memory screenings to individuals, and they rally with resources around someone who has had a recent fall. They also partner with the Sheriff’s Department on Project Lifesaver, which provides a radio-control tracker to those who are more vulnerable to getting lost. Other programs include a Shopping Shuttle to the down-Island towns, a popular monthly lunch catered by the High School’s Culinary Arts Department, an online archive of virtual activities, and more.
The dedicated and multi-talented staff make such a variety of programs possible. Two drivers, two nutrition / culinary staff, an executive assistant, as well as five special assistants all collaborate to run a smooth day program. The core team is trained in CPR/First Aid, HIPAA and LGBTAIA+ support practices, Dementia Friends, Alzheimer’s Association Essentials, and more.
The program also relies on a regular rotation of about 15 volunteers, and more volunteers are always welcome. Holmes explains the importance of volunteers for the day program members at The Center. “With spouses or family, we develop patterns of conversations, and it can be helpful for our cognition to change that up a little bit. The volunteers, they’re not only sparking us to think in different ways, they’re helping us to listen in different ways; they’re so important to our work here.”
In addition to having a robust internal community, the MVCL works directly with other organizations including the Councils on Aging, CORE at MV Community Services, Elder Services, as well as Dementia Friends Training. Many of their day to day offerings are contributed by Island partners like Island Grown Initiative (for gleaned food donations), the YMCA (exercise and movement), and Felix Neck (guided virtual visits). Many talented island artists, musicians and instructors contribute to the day. The Center also collaborates with Seven Hills’ day program on a number of activities.
“Sometimes people say we are the Island’s best kept secret,” says Mary. “My mission is to elevate our service, and make sure everybody knows about us; to make sure that when people come, they feel welcome to talk about what is happening in their families.” Holmes creates this feeling of welcome partly by recognizing that our elder adult population and folks with disabilities are not separate groups, but integral parts of the Vineyard community. Combating isolation, changing up our ingrained patterns, simplifying tasks, taking better care of ourselves–these are practices for everyone, not just folks with memory impairment. And, we all benefit from sharing a lunch with someone new, learning how to communicate differently, and taking some time to do an activity together. It is in this way that the MV Center for Living continues to fulfill their mission of serving the whole Island. As Mary Holmes considers the future of the organization, she asks, “How do we stay sustainable, how do we make sure our program continues in a way that creates growth among our families, our communities, and our understanding of each other?”
To get involved, check out Memory and Music Cafe or Music on Fridays. To learn more, volunteer or make a donation visit: www.mvcenter4living.org