January 30, 2025 —When it comes to promoting a compassionate and effective approach to working with residents who have dementia, Megan Carnarius stands out as a highly respected advocate who can bring deep and meaningful assistance through her work with Kendal Affiliates and TKC. As a Clinical and Memory Care Specialist Consultant, she is a new resource to TKC and Kendal. (She is not on staff but available to Affiliates at the preferred Kendal rate.) Megan’s work focuses on enhanced training and improving community integration. Here’s how Megan’s consultation and training can engage employees and improve the lives of residents in Kendal communities.
- Comprehensive Expertise: Megan provides memory care training, program development, and operational consulting tailored for Kendal communities.
- Person-Centered Philosophy: Her approach emphasizes respect for residents’ whole selves, instilling dignity beyond cognitive limitations.
- A Team Approach: Megan focuses on staff empowerment to foster a positive culture, reduce burnout, and improve retention.
- Expanding Impact: She is currently collaborating with Enso Village and Enso Verde with the capacity to support additional Kendal Affiliates.
Whole Person Approach
Megan’s training sessions are built on understanding and inclusivity. From providing 4-hour basic memory care training for all employees to offering 8-hour in-depth sessions for specialized teams, the training is about how best to create better care outcomes.
Her teaching emphasizes a whole-person or whole-spiritapproach, recognizing residents as more than their cognitive conditions and tailoring each session to meet the unique needs of the community.
For instance, Megan has designed resident profile sheets Affiliates can utilize that carefully balance both physical and psychosocial care, empowering staff with actionable insights to enhance their everyday practices.
Staff Development and Empowerment
Megan recognizes that empowered employees are key to providing excellent care. She can work with Affiliates to create clear daily schedules, job descriptions, and by mentoring key personnel such as care center managers and life enrichment directors.
She encourages staff to incorporate their personal interests and talents into engaging residents, creating unique and enriching experiences. This focus on fostering a positive work culture reduces burnout, boosting both personal satisfaction and retention.
Community Integration and Inclusivity
Megan advocates for breaking down barriers, ensuring permeable boundaries between residents in memory care settings and in the broader Kendal community.
Her initiatives include developing volunteer programs that promote stronger relationships between independent living residents and those with memory issues. Furthermore, she can provide education for the wider community about dementia, aiming to eradicate stigma and inspire understanding and inclusion across all levels.
Life Enrichment Programming
Life enrichment is one of Megan’s passions. She emphasizes the value of diverse and engaging activities to ensure each individual’s needs are met.
From recommending outings and external performers to advising on memory-care-friendly art and decor, her recommendations are detailed and actionable, creating vibrant and welcoming spaces for all residents.
Operational Consulting
From reviewing staffing models to advising on physical space design, Megan’s expertise extends to Kendal’s operational strategies. Her guidance has proven particularly valuable in construction and renovations, most recently consulting on the architectural plans for the new Enso Verde community.
Additionally, Megan can advise on technology implementation to enhance resident care tracking, seamlessly integrating innovation with compassion.
What’s Next for Megan and Kendal
Megan’s future plans include onsite visits to Enso Village in late January and February, supporting the community as they roll out memory care services. Additional opportunities to integrate her expertise across Kendal Affiliates are under consideration.
About Megan
Megan Carnarius RN, NHA, LMT, has over two decades in direct management of memory care settings in skilled and assisted living, with 33 years in geriatric nursing. Megan served on the Alzheimer’s Association education committee, designed award-winning memory care facilities, and served as an adjunct faculty member at Naropa University. In 2015, she published “A Deeper Perspective on Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias: Practical Tools with Spiritual Insights” (Findhorn Press). Megan is also a co-founder of The Alchemy of Aging Project.