Love fuels adult enrichment center

With all the latest research surrounding memory loss and impairment, Laura Lester finds one element as the most important for the clients of Encore Adult Daily Enrichment Center.

Love. And lots of it.

“This is much more powerful than any drug on the market,” said Lester, Encore’s community relations director.

It’s an attitude that Encore wants to make contagious as it grows in West Plano and throughout Collin and Denton counties. A young company, Encore is a day center specializing in enhancing the lives of those experiencing dementia, early Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of memory impairment.

The licensed company also works with family members to cope with loved ones who battle various memory diseases. Encore features a small but committed staff that not only is highly trained in the field but also has had family members and friends with various memory impairments.

“When you work in a field like this, we know it takes a special kind of person to work with guests who have memory impairments,” said Laura Hansford, the director of Encore. “We know there are caregivers who give day in and day out, and they need a break. We’re here to help make a difference in their lives, as well, and let them know that their loved ones are in a safe and secure place.”

Encore officially opened its doors in September, practicing under the core values of quality, efficiency, integrity, respect and teamwork. David Lester, Joe Gallini, Win Warren and Mitch Warren serve as partners for the 4,800-square-foot gated facility that includes a media center, a family room, a large kitchen and, most importantly, a feeling of being at home.

Along with Hansford and Lester, licensed vocational nurse Laurie Pond is Encore’s health care coordinator. Ruthanne Brockaway is the life enrichment coordinator, and Deanna Primrose is the administrative assistant.

Individuals with memory impairment are treated to all kinds of activities and entertainment that not only help their respective cases but also keep large smiles on their faces. Most recently, Encore had a George Strait impersonator visit the facility and entertain guests.

A day at the job could include hours of physical, mental and psychological overtime for many of the staff members, but the team of dedicated workers wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I still remember the first couple of days working. You go home, and you’re exhausted,” Hansford said. “But still, it’s a different kind of exhausted. You go home knowing that you made a difference in somebody’s life.”

Lester added: “We love each and every one of our guests and treat them with the utmost care and respect. They love it here, and so do we.”

Encore currently services eight clients and is looking to build to 40 at full capacity. The scheduled activities are designed to give those with memory impairment the opportunity to keep their brains active while enjoying extracurricular activities in the process.

“If they sit home and watch TV, their brains could deteriorate quickly,” Lester said. “When they come here, they’ll have projects and the technology to enhance the brain and keep their disease from progressing as quickly. They exercise their brains and have fun at the same time.”

Encore is inviting all to visit its facility in the month of January. The center will host an open house each Saturday in January from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Lester said the open house events at the end of the month will include celebrity impersonation acts. Marilyn Monroe will be in attendance on Jan. 23 and Dolly Parton will visit on Jan. 30.

“More and more people are finding out about what we do,” Hansford said. “We have been growing at a steady rate. People are really intrigued about what it is.”

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