Bridges® by EPOCH at Hingham Celebrates 10 Years of Life-Enriching Memory Care

July 7, 2022

HINGHAM, MA—Bridges^® by EPOCH at Hingham, EPOCH Senior Living’s flagship memory care assisted living community, celebrates a decade of service to area seniors and their families.

“The team here at Bridges at Hingham upholds the original mission to deliver customized memory care and enriching programs that celebrate residents’ strengths and independence,” said current executive director, John Moniz. “We see the positive differences we’re making in people’s lives every day, and we’re poised to bring exceptional memory care to seniors and dementia education and support to area families in the years ahead.”

Located across from the shipyard at 1 Sgt. William B. Terry Dr., Bridges at Hingham’s three intimate households—Bare Cove, Cushing and Shipyard—feature spacious private residences within peaceful, easy-to-navigate community settings. The dementia-supportive households boast abundant natural light and home-like common spaces, including a living room, library, comfortable dining room and homestyle kitchen, as well as access to the community’s inviting, secure courtyard.

“Beyond our welcoming, safety-enhanced community design, a key element that has made Bridges so successful is the inspiring lifestyle,” said Joanna Cormac Burt, EPOCH Senior Living’s chief operating officer. “Since day one, the entire team has been trained to communicate with and support residents with memory loss, and our life enrichment team creates unique programs and activities that inspire joy, connection and purpose in daily life.”

Just two years after EPOCH entered the memory care assisted living space, Bridges at Hingham’s founding executive director, Alicia Seaver, received the Massachusetts Assisted Living Association’s Executive Director Excellence Award.

“Alicia brings tremendous expertise and compassion to Bridges residents and their families,” said Cormac Burt. “We are very fortunate to have Alicia to lead our Bridges teams and share her expertise with families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.”

Currently, Seaver is serving as vice president of memory care operations for all Bridges by EPOCH communities.

“For the past 25-plus years, I’ve spent more time with memory-impaired people than I have anyone else,” Seaver said. “The time I spend with the residents is where all my inspiration comes from.”

Sarah Turcotte and John Palermo are also original Bridges at Hingham team members who are still part of the extended Bridges family.

In 2012, Turcotte was Bridges at Hingham’s first life enrichment director; she’s now a community liaison for multiple sister communities, helping their local professionals and organizations connect with the resources they need to aid area families caring for loved ones with memory loss. Turcotte has received multiple awards for excellence throughout her time with EPOCH Senior Living, including the Excellence Award in Program Innovation in 2017 and the Middlesex West Chamber of Commerce Rising Star Award in 2018.

Palermo was Bridges at Hingham’s original maintenance director; he’s now a regional maintenance director for several Bridges properties.

“From our ability-centered programming and unique care approach to the warm, inviting community feel, Alicia, Sarah and John helped shape the organization-wide Bridges culture that proves joy can be found in each day, even for people with progressive memory loss,” said Cormac Burt. “Their vision and dedication to improving the lives of seniors have made the journey with dementia easier for countless families.”