Insight Memory Care Center

Our mission is to provide specialized care, support and education for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and other memory impairments, their families, caregivers, and the community through our adult day health and resource center. Serving Northern Virginia since 1984, Inisght offers a spectrum of holistic care, with a vision of a community where those affected by memory impairments can achieve the highest quality of life. In other words, until there is a cure, there is us.

Caring for someone with memory impairment can be devastating for entire families emotionally, physically, and financially. The Alzheimer's Association reports that individuals live with the disease for an average of eight years and some much longer. The impact on the caregiver is immense; one-third report symptoms of depression, ninety percent characterized their caregiving as emotionally stressful, and spouse caregivers are hospitalized more often than the general population. A recent study reports that more than two-thirds of caregivers have to quit working, or reduce hours. Sixty-nine percent of caregivers said that caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease or other memory impairment strained their family finances. With work hours reduced and wages cut, the cost of care can be nearly impossible.

When families are considering care for a loved one, there are residential facilities (such as a nursing home), in-home care, or adult day health centers. For people in the early or middle stages of a memory impairment disease, residential facilities are a difficult transition from their home. While home care keeps the person safe while still at home, it usually is isolating, leading to depression and quicker progression of the disease without stimulation. Insight is innovative in our field and our region. Insight's memory impairment specific adult day health center can allow the person to remain at home with family for a longer period of time, while keeping them physically, socially, and emotionally stimulated.

Insight’s adult day health center provides a safe, engaging, and therapeutic environment for individuals with mid to later stage memory impairment. It is the only dementia-specific day center in the DC metro area and still the only adult day health center in Northern Virginia with programs for people in the later stages of dementia. For those in the early stages, Insight offers social engagement programs to maximize capabilities, and provide support for loved ones to adjust to changing family dynamics. Additionally, our innovative education and support programs provide caregiver classes, community trainings, professional seminars, support groups, and individual consultations. These programs help family members remain confident and effective in their caregiving roles and increase awareness and understanding of the disease in the community.

Insight strives to provide a comprehensive spectrum of care, support and education to those affected by Alzheimer's disease throughout the course of the disease process.

Insight's adult day health center provides a safe, engaging, and therapeutic environment for individuals with memory impairment, with distinct programs for those in the middle and late stages. It is the only dementia-specific day center in the DC metro area and still the only adult day health center in Northern Virginia with programs for people in the later stages of an Alzheimer's illness. The program provides an environment that focuses on people's strengths rather than their memory limitations, addressing the needs of the total person: physical, mental, and emotional. Innovative approaches are put into practice, from physical therapy and Tai Chi-inspired exercises to art or music therapy and field trips. Physical and recreational therapy are also components of the Day Program's services. Each participant's care is guided by an individual Care Plan developed by a professional staff team.

For those not yet ready for the day center, Insight’s early stage programs promote brain health and building cognitive reserve, while creating connection with peers in a supportive environment. Programs are offered in-person and online for both individuals and families who have received a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or have early memory loss.

As families are also affected by the disease, Insight offers support groups and consultations to reduce caregiver stress and provide practical solutions to caregiving challenges. Insight's innovative education programs include caregiver classes, community and professional trainings, and resource publications. These programs help family members remain confident and effective in their caregiving roles and increase awareness and understanding of the disease in the community.

On January 12, 2015, we opened the doors at our state-of-the-art 15,000 square foot facility, expanding the capacity of all of our programs and services. In January 2022, we opened our new early-stage focused center in Sterling. This space, in conjunction with our growing online programs, will expand our early stage program for those with mild cognitive impairment and early dementia, as well as reach more caregivers through support groups and education programs.

In June 2021, Insight Memory Care Center's Executive Director, Anita Irvin, was selected by Leading Age Virginia to receive the Vision Award for 2021. This prestigious award recognizes an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to aging services, providing inspirational leadership, vision, and dedication in achieving their organization’s mission. Additionally, our Director of Early Stage Programs, Lindsey Vajpeyi, was awarded Leadin Age Virginia's Emerging leader award in 2020. With exceptional staff at the helm, Insight is poised to offer quality memory care services throughout our region.

In October 2018, Insight was recognized as a national Center of Distinction from the National Adult Day Services Association, an honor given to an outstanding and innovative adult day center, recognized as “best practice." Additionally, in October 2013, we received a similar honor as the Adult Day Center of the Year from the National Adult Day Services Association. Just recently, IMCC was named one of the best small charities in the Washington Region by the Catalogue for Philanthropy for 2018/2019; a distinction also received in 2014, 2010, and 2006. Most importantly, we maintain high standards in providing care for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers. IMCC holds a three-year license, the highest level in Virginia. We strive to consistently exceed licensure requirements; for example, while state licensure requires a 6 to 1 ratio of participants to staff, IMCC maintains a 4 to 1 ratio in an effort to provide optimum, individualized care for our day health center participants.

Insight Memory Care Center aims to create a community where those affected by Alzheimer’s disease can achieve the highest quality of life. Our board of directors spent many hours brainstorming how Insight can best continue to serve families living with dementia, and developing new strategic goals to guide us over the next three years. We’re working towards this vision in three ways:

1. Expand early stage programs
We hear time and time again, “If only I had known about you sooner!” Insight is aiming to reach people earlier in the disease process to support families from the beginning of the journey (and the whole way through). From those first steps after diagnosis, to planning for the future, and staying engaged in early stage programs, we’re here to help. We want to expand our early stage programs in the Northern Virginia and greater metro area. We are starting with plans to expand in Loudoun County.

2. Explore additional services
As we all certainly learned over the last year: needs change. Who could have predicted the huge increase in demand for virtual services without a pandemic? Insight is always striving to provide quality services to meet the needs of our caregivers. Many times this includes simply asking, “how else can we help?” We plan to continue exploring additional services to meet the needs of people living with dementia and their care partners.

3. Ensure quality programs
At Insight, we pride ourselves on offering personalized care for everyone. Care plans are tailored to individual interests in the Day Center, families are offered support based on their current needs. We know from our annual surveys that our programs are effective. As Insight continues to grow, we are dedicated to continuing to offer a high level of quality care. We will be working with researchers and experts as we continue to provide quality and effective programs, and build upon evidence-based outcomes and evaluations.