The Power of Purpose and Friendships

Each morning at Town Square Sarasota, members step out of the car and tell their loved ones that they are off to work or heading to school! Finding purpose at 70, 80, or even 90 years old is hard to do, but close to impossible when combined with dementia or memory issues. There is something special about the structure of Town Square. The activities change every hour and shift from room to room, reminiscent of work or school. This sense of purpose is powerful, and some members even request to help clean up or hand out materials. Recently, a new Town Square family called to say that they were nervous when they couldn’t find their mom one morning, but soon found her – dressed and sitting in the car, ready to go to work. She hadn’t dressed herself in months.

Friendships are hard to strike up when seniors with dementia become isolated at home, but Town Square Sarasota is very social and we see the power of new friendships every day. Each morning, members are grouped based on cognitive abilities and spend the day with a small group of 8-10 peers who are similar to them. They enjoy sitting with friends during breakfast and lunch. Throughout the day, you’ll see ladies strolling hand in hand, sharing laughter, while men gather in the game room for a friendly game of pool. When the bands play, members dance together. This social interaction is crucial. Neurologists refer clients to Town Square weekly, emphasizing the need for socialization, and we witness the benefits firsthand every day.