The mid-spring sun pours through the skylights of the spacious common areas at Briarcliffe Gardens, blanketing the residents below in warmth and natural light. The residents of this busy memory-care Assisted Living Residence have gathered here for a day of socialization, activity and routines that are a part of their daily lives. This room is where they come to pass the time, surrounded by attentive caregivers and staff who have devoted themselves to the nurturing of those for whom memories of days past have faded, and life has taken on a new meaning.

On this day, the dining room at Briarcliffe Gardens is getting a facelift, a new lease on life. A fresh coat of paint has infused the space with a new energy ~ colors which are bright but soft and tranquil at the same time. Like everything at this state-of-the-art residence in Johnston, this coat of paint was done with intention ~ in this case, to uplift and re-invigorate the many residents who make Briarcliffe their home.

Beyond the paint refresh, the staff at Briarcliffe Gardens have introduced some other new and small but important additions to the common gathering spaces ~ comfortable, upholstered “rocking” armchairs! Residents can sink into these chairs and gently rock or swivel and enjoy the soothing and calming effects rocking produces. Research has shown that rocking in these rocking chairs has many significant health-promoting benefits, especially for individuals with dementia, Alzheimer’s and other memory-related conditions.

According to a study conducted at the University of Rochester, “Rocking Chair Therapy” reveals an increase in the “psychological well-being of nursing home residents with severe forms of dementia.” The study suggests that rocking causes a “release of endorphins that elevate the mood of these patients, in addition to relieving pain.” The author of the study affirms that rocking has long been known to soothe infants, and it seems to provide the same therapeutic benefit for adults.

Some of the other known benefits of rocking include the reduction of anxiety and depression in seniors. The University of Rochester explains that this reduction also “reduces the need for medications that treat anxiety and depression, thus mitigating any of their debilitating side effects.” The motion of rocking has also been shown to stimulate the body to maintain balance which is useful for older individuals who face the increased risk of injury by falling.

These chairs, which are designed to be wider-than-average for safety reasons, and which are brightly-colored for easier recognition, represent Briarcliffe’s ongoing commitment to improving the lives of its residents and to enriching, nurturing and fostering the highest quality of life. This philosophy is, and always has been, what sets the Briarcliffe “family” above the rest.

Schedule your personal tour of Briarcliffe Gardens, located on a quiet and wooded campus on Old Pocasset Road in Johnston. Call the Admission’s office at 401-944-2450, ext. 202. For more information, you can many questions answered by visiting them at www.briarcliffegardens.com.