'Back in time:' 1950s-era diner opens for residents at Saratoga Springs nursing home

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- For dementia and Alzheimer's patients, preserving long-term memory becomes an important piece of the caregiving process. The Home of the Good Shepherd in Saratoga Springs has found a unique way to spark connections, by opening the Memory Care Diner.

At the diner, bright shades of blue, red, and silver and photographs of iconic musicians and records bring the residents back to the time of bobby socks and Bobby Darin. The music sparks the memory and meaning of their golden age.

“The diner just gives them something to do inside that’s fun, that’s not just about watching television or listening to music. Here, you get to go back in time," said Todd Shimkus, President of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.

From jukebox jams to milkshakes, the diner serves as a space for connection. But beneath the surface lies a deeper meaning.

“With dementia, a lot of times our residents go back to their long ago memories," said Kristen Cashman, Administrator at Home of the Good Shepherd. "They’re looking to go back to their parents or siblings. They’re looking to go back to the house that they were raised in, so we wanted to encompass the 1950s feel because a lot of them were born during that generation.”

At the core of it all, music is the heart beat of their care. “Music is so important to memory care residents," said Cashman. "I’ve seen residents who are completely nonverbal be able to sing an Elvis Presley song word for word."

Beyond the diner, Home of the Good Shepherd offers a variety of activities to keep their residents engaged and comfortable during this stage of their life.

"We want to make sure we have physical, cognitive, social, sensory, and emotional programs available to them including community outings which is always a hit especially if it’s an ice cream sundae run to Dairy Haus," said Cashman.