At Care Cardinal

What Is the Wren Program?

At Care Cardinal, we believe that people living with dementia deserve to live in a world that supports their emotional and physical needs, especially as those needs continue to evolve and change. Our residents living with dementia need different resources and hands-on care than our residents without cognitive impairments — we’re here to meet those needs. That’s where the Wren Program comes in.

The wren is noted in folklore as “the king of birds.” We want to distinguish between our residents living with dementia and those without cognitive impairments – without focusing on the impairment itself. Instead, how can we adjust our caregiving to bring out the best in ourselves and our residents? How can we make our program suitable for people living with dementia?

Here’s how: Care Cardinal’s dementia program is relationship-based and resident-first. The Wren Program comprises the “Three C’s” of fundamental aspects around activities, dining, and physical and emotional design.

Care Cardinal’s Fundamentals

Creative Engagement

We think daily activities are far more than just “keeping people busy” — we believe it’s about meeting people where they are and helping them maintain what makes them unique.

Cozy Dining

Dining should be just that: dining. It should be an experience that our residents look forward to each day. We provide home-cooked, nutritious meals designed to inspire comfort and cheerfulness.

Calm Ambiance

A calm, welcoming environment isn’t just about physical space. Many people with dementia occupy a different emotional space, so we’ve created a calming environment accordingly.