State College, PA – Juniper Village at Brookline is proud to announce that its Wellspring Memory Care community has once again been awarded the prestigious Excellence in Care Dementia Care Program of Distinction by the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA). This recertification reflects the community’s ongoing commitment to excellence in person-centered memory care and its dedication to creating a supportive, engaging, and compassionate environment for residents living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

The recertification follows a rigorous evaluation by AFA specialists, including a comprehensive on-site assessment that reviewed training, safety protocols, programming, dining services, environmental quality, and resident engagement. Juniper Village at Brookline’s Wellspring Memory Care team earned high marks across the board, demonstrating exceptional care practices and a deep commitment to residents’ well-being.

As part of the review, evaluators noted the presence of three welcoming and thoughtfully designed dining rooms. These spaces featured visual meal guides, adaptive dining equipment, and person-centered approaches that brought choice directly to each resident. Associates were consistently observed interacting with residents in meaningful ways, encouraging, redirecting, and supporting individuals with empathy and attentiveness.

The community’s approach to daily engagement was another highlight, with concurrent programming offering residents multiple opportunities for connection, cognitive stimulation, and personal fulfillment. Family members shared overwhelmingly positive feedback, describing programs as “beautiful” and praising the welcoming atmosphere that encourages their involvement.

Brookline’s physical environment was also celebrated. The community is clean, bright, and thoughtfully maintained, with clear hallways and warm aesthetics. Plans are underway to update the space further, incorporating more soothing colors to enhance comfort and tranquility.

In addition to internal excellence, Juniper Village at Brookline continues to demonstrate strong ties to the greater State College area, with community engagement recognized as a meaningful part of its care model. Reviewers noted not only the professionalism of the associates but the evident compassion that shines through in every interaction.

“Since first receiving our certification from the Alzheimer's Foundation of America in 2014, this recertification is a powerful testament to our unwavering commitment to those living with dementia,” said Liz Plozner-Chalfa, acting Regional Director of Juniper Village at Brookline. “It reflects our continued dedication to meeting their evolving needs, supporting their families with compassion, and nurturing the spirit of life in every interaction. We are honored to uphold these standards and proud to continue making a meaningful difference.”

This marks Juniper Village at Brookline Wellspring’s third AFA certification, placing it among a select group of memory care communities nationwide recognized for achieving and maintaining the highest standards of excellence in dementia care.

About Juniper Communities

Juniper Communities, a leader in quality, value, and innovation, operates senior living communities in Colorado, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Texas that emphasize residents’ well-being, interaction and security. Our communities and approach to housing and care offers residents the opportunity to live a full life, regardless of age or health. Juniper’s innovative Connect4Life program has been proven to improve residents’ care by decreasing hospitalizations, re-hospitalizations, and urgent care visits, while offering potential cost savings to public programs such as Medicare. To learn more about the many ways Juniper Communities innovates in support of our residents, visit www.junipercommunities.com.

About the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America

The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, founded in 2002, provides support, services, and education to individuals, families, and caregivers affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Through its Excellence in Care Dementia Care Program of Distinction, AFA sets a national standard for dementia care communities across the country. Learn more at www.alzfdn.org.