FLORENCE– CARINGPLACE OF THE SHOALS, a 501(c)(3) organization provides adult day services (ADS)
for aging, frail adults, and those with memory loss. The Board of Directors is proud to announce Silver
Montessori Status alongside its one-year anniversary celebration.
March 29, 2024, marks the one-year anniversary of the Grand Reopening of CARINGPLACE of the Shoals.
It has been a year that can’t be described in words! We have welcomed many new faces, embraced
friends new and old, sadly said farewell to some that were near and dear and are looking forward to a
second year of growth and prosperity.
CARINGPLACE OF THE Shoals will continue its original mission to provide respite for caregiving families
while their loved one enjoys a safe, inviting setting where they can engage with others, choose from an
array of innovative activities, dine with other participants, and be surrounded with compassionate
caring staff. Families may customize their loved one’s schedule of participation from four to forty hours
each week, contingent on the caregiver’s own needs and schedule. Studies show ADS to be the most
cost effective and flexible of long- term care options compared to residential care or home services.
Veterans Aid and Attendance benefits and long-term care insurance often reimburse for adult day
services.
Nicole Fults, Executive Director, stated, “We have come so far in our first year of reopening, we have
made many friends, are uplifted by the community’s support, and continue to be humbled by the honor
and privilege to serve and assist caregivers and families in the Shoals area. We can’t wait to see what
next year has to offer!”
CARINGPLACE is devoted to building a Montessori Inspired Lifestyle® community, and recently
earned the Silver Level credential. The MIL program was created by the Center for Applied
Research in Dementia (CARD) after one of its founders, Dr. Cameron Camp, adapted Dr. Maria
Montessori’s principles for older adults with dementia.
In the past year, CARINGPLACE staff learned how to implement the Montessori principles of
equality, dignity, and respect into their community. Staff were trained to empower clients with
memory impairment to be as independent as possible.
CARINGPLACE is the first Adult Day Center in the nation to achieve silver status and will be the
only one in the nation to achieve gold status by July 2024.
Co- founder Elba Barnes expressed “I’m elated to recognize the leadership of our staff for their
dedication, focus, talent, and downright hard work in achieving Silver Level of the Montessori Inspired
Lifestyle, our standard of services within the Caringplace community. I love what they are doing for our
clients, their families, and our dream for Caringplace of the Shoals. Congratulations to Executive
Director Nicole Fults, Activity Director Lisa Pendergrass, Director of Nursing Lindsey Crider, and all team
leaders! On to Gold Level in 2024!”
CARINGPLACE is going to kick off this amazing milestone and celebrate the one-year mark with
a Birthday party on April 4.
Please join us at 5:30 P.M. at CARINGPLACE for a celebration complete with birthday cake to
look at the last year, talk with clients, caregivers’ staff, and board to celebrate the last year and
take a look forward into the years to come!
Media Release/Nicole Fults/Executive Director Caring Place of The Shoals
