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Your Family Doesn't Stop at the Door
Posted on: By Diane Kohan
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Article Summary
One of the biggest fears families have about memory care is losing connection with a loved one. Story Cottage in Indianapolis was built to be the opposite of the place-and-forget model, with open visitation, active family involvement, and real communication that keeps families in the loop.
One of the things families tell us they are most afraid of is the quiet. Not the quiet in the home after their loved one moves, though that is real. The quiet from the other side.
The feeling that once the decision is made and the move is done, they will become a visitor to a chapter of a parent's life they are no longer part of.
What is the failure mode in most memory care?
There is a failure mode in memory care that nobody says out loud: the placement model where the family's role effectively ends at the point of admission. Where the loved one is placed and the family is mostly communicated with at billing time.
Story Cottage was built to be the opposite of that.
Is family visitation welcome at Story Cottage?
Visitation is not just permitted, it is encouraged. Actively. The open floor plan, the living room that greets you at the entrance, and the design of the common spaces all communicate welcome.
Families who want to be present in their loved one's daily life should be present:
A grandchild who visits on a Tuesday afternoon
A daughter who stays for dinner
These are not disruptions. They are part of what makes a day good.
Why does family connection matter for the resident?
This matters for the resident. Familiar faces, familiar voices, and the continuity of family relationship have real value for people living with memory conditions, regardless of what they can or cannot recall.
The connection itself is what matters.
Why does staying involved matter for the family?
The adult child who places a parent in memory care does not stop being a son or a daughter. They are still showing up, still advocating, still caring, just in a different form than before.
Story Cottage is designed to support that ongoing relationship, not replace it.
How does Story Cottage keep families in the loop?
Our staff communicate with families. When something notable happens, good or difficult, you hear about it. You are not left waiting for a quarterly update or a form letter. You are in the loop, because you belong in the loop.
The families who find their way to Story Cottage tell us something consistent after the first few weeks. They expected to feel like they had handed something off. What they actually feel is that they finally have real backup, a team of people who genuinely care about their parent, who they trust, and who free them up to be present in a more meaningful way than they could be when caregiving was their full responsibility.
That is what Story Cottage is designed to do. Not remove your family from the picture. Add something to it. "The Best Possible Day. Every Day." For your loved one, and for you. If you would like to have a real conversation about what this looks like, we are here. Call (317) 449-5696 or visit Story Cottage Living. Tours available. Every stage of the conversation is welcome.
"We are not designed to remove your family from the picture. We are designed to add something to it."
— Diane Kohan Executive Director
Frequently Asked Questions
Can families stay involved after a loved one moves to memory care?
Yes. Story Cottage was built to keep families involved, not to end their role at admission. Visitation is actively encouraged and staff communicate regularly, so families remain part of their loved one's daily life.
Does Story Cottage allow open family visitation?
Yes. Visitation is not just permitted, it is encouraged. The open floor plan and welcoming common spaces are designed so a grandchild can visit on a Tuesday or a daughter can stay for dinner. Those visits are part of what makes a day good.
Why does family connection matter for someone with a memory condition?
Familiar faces, familiar voices, and the continuity of family relationship have real value for people living with memory conditions, regardless of what they can or cannot recall. The connection itself is what matters.
How does Story Cottage communicate with families?
Staff keep families in the loop. When something notable happens, good or difficult, you hear about it directly. There is no waiting for a quarterly update or a form letter, because families belong in the loop.
Will I feel like I handed my parent off after they move in?
Families tell us the opposite. After the first few weeks, they feel they finally have real backup, a trusted team who genuinely cares for their parent and frees them to be present in a more meaningful way than full-time caregiving allowed.
How do I schedule a tour or conversation with Story Cottage?
Call (317) 449-5696 or visit storycottageliving.com. Tours are available and families are welcome at every stage of the conversation.
Diane Kohan
About the Author
I’m originally from Newburgh, IN, and have been an RN for 25 years. I hold a B.S. in Health Information Administration and an A.S. in Nursing from Indiana University. I achieved board certification in 2020 as a Gerontological Nurse through ANCC and a Qualified Memory Care Professional (QMCP) through the Institute for Excellence in Memory Care.
My healthcare journey began in high school as a candy striper pushing the candy/gift cart around all the units, later becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant while in college. After starting my career in medical coding, I quickly realized my passion was hands-on nursing. I spent a decade in acute care at Methodist Hospital and St. Vincent Heart Center before returning to my love for long-term care, assisted living, and memory care.
Over the years, I have served as an MDS Coordinator, Director of Nursing, and MDS Consultant. As a regional nurse, I wrote policies, trained staff, and implemented dementia education across multiple states. My passion lies in providing exceptional care and supporting those living with memory loss. Follow her on LinkedIn.
