Renaissance Memory Support at Tamarisk – an unsolicited testimonial

WARWICK – Since its opening in 2003, the Phyllis Siperstein Tamarisk Assisted Living Residence has become well known for filling a need in the Jewish community and beyond. However, its remarkable Renaissance Memory Support Program deserves wider recognition.

Founded by the Jewish Seniors Agency of Rhode Island, which recently united with Jewish Family Service to become Jewish Collaborative Services, Tamarisk has earned several annual awards from Time-Warner and the Better Business News.

The facility’s executive director, Roberta Ragge, MS, ALA (Assisted Living Administrator), has more than 30 years’ experience in the field of eldercare and developing better dementia care, which is now reflected in the daily operations of Renaissance.

Ragge says, “Preserving a resident’s dignity and supporting functional independence are of the utmost importance.

“Both the Renaissance memory care director, Nancy Hagenston, and activities coordinator, Norma Colaccio, are role models for staff through their skill and compassion.”

Hagenston was an experienced certified nursing assistant before serving as activities director at Sakonnet Bay Manor, in Tiverton, for 10 years. Since 2014, she has been a certified dementia practitioner at Renaissance. Her main goal is to keep the residents safe and happy.

Colaccio holds degrees in special education and speech therapy. She taught special education in the Cranston schools for 19 years, including 10 as the special education department chairwoman. At Renaissance, she was promoted from assistant activities coordinator to activities coordinator.

Colaccio’s approach to each resident is the same as it was with her former students: focus on each person’s strengths and provide activities to enhance self-esteem.  

As the only dog-owner resident of Tamarisk, I am privileged to walk Tootsie through the secure first-floor unit to its enclosed outdoor area. I’ve been able to observe the residents as they enjoy games, songs, stories and other activities that draw out their long-term memories.

For example, Musical Bingo features old favorites on tape. Players listen and locate the song titles on their Bingo cards. Large-card Uno helps concentration and renews card-sense. Oral “Fill in the Blanks” encourages recall of familiar proverbs and phrases.

Seated exercise classes include tai chi, yoga and tap-in-time. Preparing cookies reawakens culinary skills. Arts and crafts are frequent activities, as seen in the resident-made decorations. This fall, the residents created “pumpkin shell” dining table centerpieces, made from laundry dryer hoses that were painted orange and then filled with floral arrangements.

Music and Renaissance are inseparable. Pianist Tony Pisano performs every Wednesday evening, and numerous musical groups are on the busy schedule. Some residents sing along or dance.

Cristin Larson, a landscape designer, is a part-time activities assistant. She leads discussions about gardening and flower-arranging. Under her supervision, residents have planted herbs and flowers in window boxes. She has also planted and harvested edible plants in the Renaissance yard.

A self-taught artist, Larson is painting a large mural of a coastal scene just inside the Renaissance entrance.

What prompted me to share my personal tribute to Renaissance was my sad memories of the “recommended” Florida dementia unit where my husband spent the last years of his life, 1995-1998. The place was devoid of anything I have described at Renaissance.

Hopefully, with the passage of time, the administrators of the Florida facility have learned something of Renaissance, of which our Jewish Collaborative Services can be proud.

RUTH JAFFA ALBERT, a native Rhode Islander, is a resident of Tamarisk. She often leads Friday night services for those living in the Renaissance memory unit.