More families than ever are searching for a different kind of dementia care, one that feels like home and not an institution. Kristin Cherry, Family Advisor at Story Cottage, shares why a smaller, more personalized small home dementia care environment changes everything for someone living with dementia in Indianapolis and Carmel.
Why is the way families think about dementia care changing?
Hi, everyone. My name is Kristin Cherry, and I'm the Family Advisor at Story Cottage. Story Cottage specializes in caring for individuals living with dementia in a smaller, more personalized home environment.
Today I want to talk about something we're seeing more and more in memory care. There's a real shift in what families are looking for, and what their loved ones truly need and deserve.
What does dementia care look like in most communities today?
The current reality is that more families than ever are navigating a dementia diagnosis. And often the first place they turn is a very large memory care community, or a memory care wing tucked behind a wall inside a bigger building.
What we hear over and over again from families touring those settings is:
"This doesn't feel right."
"The staffing ratios aren't right."
"It's too busy."
"It's too overwhelming."
"It's too unfamiliar."
For someone living with dementia, environment isn't just important. It really is everything.
Why does environment matter so much for someone living with dementia?
Dementia changes how someone processes the world around them. Large spaces, loud noises, call lights, and rotating staff can create confusion and add to anxiety, even when the care itself is well-intentioned.
A home-like environment offers something very different:
Consistency in surroundings and daily rhythm
Familiarity that reduces confusion
Calmness instead of constant stimulation
Deeper relationships with a small, steady team of caregivers
At Story Cottage, we see how powerful this is. When someone feels safe, not just physically safe but emotionally safe, everything else gets easier. You can learn more about our approach to memory care here.
What makes the Story Cottage boutique model different?
Our boutique model is what makes Story Cottage truly different. Our model is intentionally small. That's not a marketing line. It's the foundation of how we care for people.
Because each home only has 8 to 10 residents, we get to truly know each person:
Their routines
Their preferences
Their stories
We create a rhythm to the day that feels natural, not institutionalized. We provide care that adapts as needs change. It's not about fitting someone into a system or a schedule that the staff has. It's about building care around the person.
How do you know when it's time to make a transition?
Spring often brings change. Families start visiting more, noticing more, and asking harder questions. And sometimes it becomes clear that staying at home is no longer a safe option.
That transition can feel overwhelming. But what families need to know is this. There are options that feel like home. Moving into memory care does not have to mean losing comfort, routine, or dignity.
What should families know about choosing memory care?
One of the biggest mindset shifts we try to offer families is this. Choosing memory care is not giving up. It's choosing support. It's choosing safety, connection, and quality of life.
And often, when the environment is right, we see something remarkable happen. Residents become more at ease, more engaged, and even more themselves.
What's the message for families navigating this right now?
If you're listening to this, or reading it, and you're in the middle of navigating dementia with someone you love, you're not alone. These decisions are not easy, and they don't have to be made in isolation.
At Story Cottage, we're here to walk alongside families, answer questions, and offer a different kind of care experience.
If you'd like to talk through what your family is facing, please reach out to our team. I'd be glad to help.
Kristin Cherry, Family Advisor, Story Cottage
"Choosing memory care is not giving up. It's choosing support. It's choosing safety, connection, and quality of life."
— Kristin Cherry, Story Cottage
Frequently Asked Questions
What is boutique memory care?
Boutique memory care is a small, home-based model of dementia care, typically 8 to 10 residents per home, designed to feel like a real residence rather than a hospital wing or large community. It emphasizes consistent staff, personalized routines, and a calm, familiar environment.
Why is a smaller environment better for someone with dementia?
Dementia affects how a person processes their surroundings. Large, busy spaces with loud noises, call lights, and rotating staff can increase confusion and anxiety. A smaller, home-like setting provides consistency, familiarity, and deeper caregiver relationships, which often help residents feel calmer and more themselves.
How do I know when it's time to move a loved one into memory care?
Common signs include safety concerns at home, increased confusion, caregiver burnout, and difficulty managing daily routines. Many families realize the shift is needed when staying at home is no longer safe, even with help. A family advisor can walk you through the decision.
Does choosing memory care mean giving up on my loved one?
No. Choosing memory care is choosing support, safety, connection, and quality of life. When the environment is the right fit, many residents actually become more engaged and more like themselves again.
Where is Story Cottage located?
Story Cottage has memory care homes across Indianapolis and Carmel, Indiana, including Williams Creek, Carey Grove, West Clay, and Meridian Hills, with a new Woodland location coming soon.
How do I tour a Story Cottage or speak with a family advisor?
You can request a tour or in-home assessment through the Story Cottage website, or contact Kristin Cherry directly through the team page to start the conversation.
Kristin Cherry
About the Author
Kristin has over 30 years of experience in Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care, with advanced degrees in Gerontology, Family Services, and Counseling. She has held leadership roles including Executive Director, Regional Sales Manager, Divisional Sales Manager, and VP of Sales and Marketing for several large companies. Kristin is also a recognized speaker on senior care topics, presenting throughout the Midwest on Alzheimer’s Disease, Assisted Living vs. Nursing Homes, and Memory Care Programs.
She has received multiple awards, including the BGSU Gerontology Program Partnership Award and the Resident Director Best Practices Award, and has been recognized locally for her leadership in team development. Kristin is also President of the Indiana Kappa Delta Alumnae Association and actively consults with alumnae navigating senior care options for their loved ones.
Outside of work, Kristin and her husband, Dave, who have been married 33 years are dedicated Great Dane Rescue fosters, having fostered and placed nine dogs into loving homes. Kristin has a daughter, who just got married and works at Purdue. Follow her on LinkedIn.
