Memory Care: Led by Heartfelt Dedication and Joyful Moments
Riley Finnegan is making a meaningful difference in the lives of the residents she supports.
Quality of Life in a Safe Neighborhood
As the Assisted Living and Memory Care Programming Director at New Pond Village, Riley Finnegan brings warmth, compassion and a personal touch to everything she does. She carefully designs a monthly calendar of activities that honor each resident’s unique interests and abilities, making sure every moment aligns with Benchmark’s six dimensions of engagement—physical, emotional, social, sense of purpose, intellectual and sensory.
In New Pond Village’s Mind & Memory Care Neighborhood, dedicated to those with Alzheimer’s, dementia and memory disorders, Riley sees how quality of life flourishes in a safe, caring environment. Since joining the community in June 2023, she’s felt a true calling to be there for residents and their families. “Residents in New Pond’s Mind & Memory Care Neighborhood seem happier and more engaged than in other places,” she shares and it’s clear that her thoughtful, nurturing approach makes all the difference.
Discovering Her Purpose
Riley’s college studies in health science and psychology, with a focus on the psychology of aging, led her toward a career in Memory Care. She started as a Resident Care Associate (RCA) for a memory care unit during her sophomore year at Quinnipiac University, where she assisted with personal care and hygiene. After graduation, she transitioned into activities, which allowed her to express her creativity. Since she arrived at New Pond Village, she has introduced unique experiences for residents that she likes to call “armchair travel,” where Riley organizes activities around a destination such as baking Key Lime pies to “visit” Key West, Florida. She also she aspires to introduce seasonal produce and “barn babies” from a local farm.
Tailored Activities to Boost Engagement and Fun
Her daily responsibilities encompass a wide array of activities, ranging from outdoor pursuits and cognitive games like trivia and bingo to physical exercises such as chair yoga and arts and crafts. Riley tailors these activities to align with each resident’s cognitive abilities, while she looks to balance engagement and enjoyment as part of the neighborhood’s approach to programming. Residents’ preferences and feedback are highly valued, with Riley regularly conducting one-on-one consultations to personalize activities.
Riley also takes time to talk with residents’ family members to learn about their lives before entering memory care. “I like to learn about their hobbies, their former occupations, the foods they enjoyed and the music they listened to in order to tailor activities to the residents.”
“I go home every day with an immense sense of fulfillment.”
Managing as many as 25 residents can be a challenge, but Riley appreciates the support of RCAs who help and comfort residents and she takes joy in personal victories—like the reluctant resident who gradually started participating in activities. Riley acknowledges dementia can be a difficult process for families and caregivers alike. In fact, “It can be overwhelming at times, but I go home every day with an immense sense of fulfillment.”