Honoring Life, Love, and Memory at Ecumen Meadows

Over the past few months, the Ecumen Meadows memory care has experienced a season of profound loss. Since November, six beloved residents have passed away, each one deeply cherished by team members and fellow residents alike. In a close-knit neighborhood of just 14 memory care apartments, every loss is felt deeply. 

“We have had six deaths in memory care since November,” shared Denise Erwin, Senior Living Consultant at Ecumen Meadows. “So, besides the heartbreak of losing residents we dearly loved, we’ve also lost nearly half of our occupancy. It has been an incredibly heavy season.” 

Denise, who has been part of the Ecumen Meadows community for more than seven years, explained that opportunities to welcome new residents into memory care are rare. 

“In all my years here, only once have I been able to offer a memory care apartment to someone who didn’t already live with us in assisted living,” she said. “Right now, none of our assisted living residents need memory care, and when I reached out to our external waitlist, every family had either found placement elsewhere, experienced a loss, or simply wasn’t ready yet.” 

In the midst of this challenging time, a moment of unexpected beauty and compassion brought comfort and renewed perspective. 

On a bitterly cold Saturday morning, Denise attended the visitation for a beloved memory care resident. Attendance was small—about 15 to 20 people—but something remarkable stood out. 

“There weren’t many people there because of the cold, but the reception line was moving so slowly,” Denise recalled. “When I finally made my way up, I realized why.” 

At the center of the room sat a stunning scrapbook documenting this resident’s life in memory care, page after page of photos, memories, and moments that captured his time at Ecumen Meadows. The scrapbook had been lovingly created by Claire, one of the community’s Resident Assistants. 

“I had no idea she had done this,” Denise said. “It was incredible. Beautiful, thoughtful, and so full of heart.” 

The scrapbook quickly became the highlight of the visitation, drawing family members in and offering comfort during an emotional goodbye. 

“The family was so touched,” Denise shared. “I can’t even find the words to describe how meaningful it was.” 

When Denise returned to work and thanked Claire for the scrapbook, she was stunned once again. 

“She told me she’s made one for every memory care resident,” Denise said. “That just stopped me in my tracks.” 

Claire’s compassion extends far beyond scrapbooks. She is known for her creativity, artistic eye, and dedication to making the Meadows feel warm and welcoming through seasonal décor, engaging activities, and thoughtful details that bring joy to residents’ daily lives. 

“She is a really special person,” Denise added. “She pours her heart into what she does, and it shows in everything, from the environment she creates to the connections she builds with residents.” 

For Denise, the experience reaffirmed what makes Ecumen Meadows truly special. 

“This is who we are,” she said. “This is the level of care, love, and dignity our residents receive every single day.” 

As Ecumen Meadows looks ahead and prepares to welcome new residents into memory care, stories like this reflect the heart of the community, one rooted in compassion, connection, and honoring each individual’s life. 

Families searching for memory care are not just choosing a place to live. They are choosing a community that remembers, celebrates, and truly cares.