Circle of Friends®: Award-Winning Memory Care

An innovative program unique to Belmont Village Senior Living, Circle of Friends was developed to address the specific needs of our residents with Mild Cognitive Impairment and early-to-moderate memory loss. Grounded in research and delivered in a supportive setting, it focuses on engagement, structure and social connection.

Understanding Mild Cognitive Impairment 

Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) involves noticeable, consistent changes in memory or thinking. Tasks may take longer, more things are forgotten or misplaced and focus can slip, while daily life remains relatively independent Circle of Friends is based on the idea that there are ways to maintain, and in some cases improve, cognitive function.

Circle of Friends is designed for SENIORS who:

Have MCI or mild to moderate memory loss
Need more support and engagement but don’t need a secured setting
Can thrive in Assisted Living with structured daily routines
Voices from the Village
“The Circle of Friends program sets Belmont Village apart from other senior living communities. The variety of activities and the social connections helped my mom stay vital. There is never a lack of opportunity to participate in a variety of engaging activities.”
Daphne A., Family Member – Belmont Village Senior Living
INFORMED BY RESEARCH

Groundbreaking. Life-Changing.

Circle of Friends was developed in consultation with Vanderbilt University’s Center for Quality Aging. Refined for more than a decade, this program combines research and practice to create a Whole Brain Fitness lifestyle. It was awarded the George Mason University 2011 Health Care Quality Improvement Award and Argentum’s 2016 Best of the Best in Memory Care.

Measurable Impact

Circle of Friends® emphasizes consistent engagement across cognitive, social and physical domains, with activities guided and tracked by care teams.

In a comparison of two cognitively similar groups, 75% of Circle of Friends participants met a four-hour-per-day engagement standard with less than one-fourth showing apathy. In the self-directed group, less than one-third met that standard, with nearly two-thirds showing apathy, which is detrimental to brain health. For residents experiencing early cognitive decline, a guided program offers significant support for maintaining function.

Cognitive Stimulation
Daily mental workouts across six mental fitness domains
Social Engagement
Small-group format encouraging participation and connection
Physical Activity
Structured movement supporting strength, balance, mobility
Emotional Support
Familiar routine building confidence and reducing withdrawal
Purposeful Routines
Seven days a week, from breakfast through dinner
Improved Outcomes
Higher participation and lower apathy vs self-directed peers
Time for Memory Care?

To learn more about your options with personalized guidance, take this easy 5-minute survey.

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Focused On Our Residents

Goal: build cognitive reserve for efficient information processing
Dedicated, specially trained team develops and leads daily sessions
Small groups organized by ability for comfort and the right pace
Seven-day-a-week program running from breakfast through dinner
Activities adapt to create challenges tailored to each person
Daily workouts engage six domains, including critical thinking, mind/movement, learning, sequencing, memory, problem-solving
Evaluation model drives updates, with bi-annual assessment results
Learn More About Our Circle

Reach out to a Belmont Village Family Advisor to learn more about Circle of Friends and other ways we uniquely support our residents. 

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