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Joining an exclusive group of credentialed senior living communities that have implemented a revolutionary Montessori-based approach to memory care.

COON RAPIDS, Minn. (March 17, 2026) – Autumn Glen Senior Living, managed by The Goodman Group, received the Bronze Level designation as a Montessori Inspired Lifestyle® Credentialed Community from the Center for Applied Research in Dementia. Achieving this credential demonstrates that the community has established outstanding efforts to improve the quality of life for memory care residents through the values and principles embodied in the Montessori Inspired Lifestyle approach of care.

“Our community is honored to receive the Bronze Level designation for our commitment to providing quality, compassionate care,” said Penny Yohnk, executive director of Autumn Glen Senior Living. “I am proud of our team members for their contributions to this meaningful recognition and grateful for the residents, families and guests we have the privilege of serving.”

Autumn Glen Senior Living’s Pearls of Life® memory care neighborhood offers Montessori Inspired Lifestyle, a positive approach to providing care for adults living with dementia or Alzheimer’s. Based on the methods of Maria Montessori and as adapted for adults by Dr. Cameron Camp, founder of the Center for Applied Research in Dementia, this approach of care allows residents to focus on their individual strengths and engage in meaningful activities to stimulate the mind and improve overall quality of life.

The community’s team members were trained to empower residents with memory impairment to be as independent as possible. This is achieved through tapping into each resident’s strengths, designing environments they can thrive in, and helping them find purposeful activities and meaningful roles within their community.

Communities effectively using Montessori principles benefit from healthier and happier residents, fewer drugs, fewer responsive behaviors, more satisfied families, and better staffing and census (Witt-Hoblit, Miller, & Camp, 2016).

Bronze Level communities have resident-led committees, multidisciplinary Learning Circles, effective signage and environmental cues, and a system for residents to volunteer for purposeful community services activities, among many other milestones.

For more information on the credentialing process, please visit https://www.cen4ard.com/mil-credentialed-communities/.

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