Bridgepointe at Ashgrove Woods assisted senior care center was host of the Jessamine County Chamber of Commerce’s monthly luncheon on Tuesday.

Polly West, the facility’s executive director was the keynote speaker of the event, detailing the assisted senior living care services offered on its campus.

Bridgepointe is a part of Christian Care Communities, a company that was founded in 1884 in Louisville. There are currently 14 Christian Care campuses in Kentucky.

West explained that the main building is designed so that half of the 72 private apartments are set up for residents over the age of 55 who simply need some personal care assistance. The other half is more secured and dedicated to residents with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

West explained that in the long-term care world, there are three levels of care. The first is assisted living, which is a social model. The second level is personal care, a medical model, which is where Bridgepointe falls. The third level is a skilled-level nursing home.

“We take care of a variety of folks,” West said. “Some folks who need help with all levels of their daily living, and some who need very little. Our approach to care is different and very exciting.”

West told everyone about the Best Friends Adult Day Center facility on Bridgepointe’s campus, which is based on the original care approach developed by Virginia Bell over 30 years ago after her best friend was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at an early age. Bell developed and began the treatment method described best as “treating people like your best friend.”

Bell’s Best Friend approach to dementia care is now being taught in countries all around the world. Bell has authored over a half-dozen books on the topics of senior and dementia care.

“It’s all about dignity,” West said Bridgepointe’s care practices. “All of our staff are trained extensively in this approach before they are even allowed to render care on their first day.”

She said that the goal at Bridgepointe at Ashgrove Woods is that once residents have transitioned in and know that they are safe and in a loving environment, that they will be happy to be there. They are regularly engaged in activities such as their packing of supply bags for last week for hurricane relief and homeless individuals.

Bridgepointe will be holding its annual Fall Festival event on Oct. 21at its 5220 Grey Oak Ln. location in Nicholasville.