A Different Kind of Care Environment
Sweetgrass Place is developing a structured, environment-led dementia day program in Bismarck, North Dakota. Our model is designed to stabilize daily life before crisis, so families don’t have to choose between managing alone and moving to full-time residential care.
Why a Day Program Like This Is Needed
The Gap
Most families manage dementia care alone until a crisis point, when residential placement becomes the only viable option. Current systems lack an intermediate, environment-based layer of care that stabilizes daily life before crisis occurs.
What is missing is a structured daytime layer of support that provides stability and continuity, reduces escalation and caregiver strain, and enables individuals to remain within their community longer. Sweetgrass Place is designed to operate in that space.
How the Model Functions
The program is organized around a consistent daily rhythm and an environment designed to support orientation, participation, and autonomy.
- Structured daily rhythm (not drop-in care)
- Active participation (not passive supervision)
- Relational continuity (consistent staff and environment)
- Environment-led support (movement, light, indoor–outdoor flow)
Environment as Infrastructure
At Sweetgrass Place, the physical environment is a core operating component of the model. The setting is designed so movement, light, and layout quietly support people throughout the day.
Continuous walking paths
Paths that support independent movement without dead ends or confusing loops.
Clear visual orientation
Reduced decision points and simple sightlines so people can see where they’re going.
Indoor–outdoor connection
Access to outdoor space and contained, navigable landscapes that invite safe movement.
Sensory stability
Natural light and calm, consistent sensory cues that reduce overwhelm.
Development Path
Where Sweetgrass Place Is in Development
Current Stage
• Organizational structure established (LLC, EIN)
• Program model actively in development
• Board formation underway (health systems, clinical, and development insight)
• Site evaluation in progress
Development Path
We’re moving through three phases to bring this model to life.
Phase 1 — Pilot: Small cohort operating within an adapted or minimal environment to validate model function and site fit, with emphasis on outdoor movement and structured daily rhythm.
Phase 2 — Stabilization: Refined operations, consistent participant flow, and demonstrated model viability.
Phase 3 — Expansion: Purpose-built or expanded environment aligned with long-term use and community integration.
Anchored in Place, Built for Our Region
Site Alignment
An effective site for Sweetgrass Place supports a clear sequence of spaces from arrival to program areas, defined boundaries with natural containment, and visual connection between key destinations like entry, gathering spaces, and outdoor areas.
We look for sites that can support continuous outdoor movement loops without dead ends and allow phased development without requiring relocation. The model is designed to be anchored in place, not retrofitted into generic space.
Regional Reach
Our first focus is Bismarck–Mandan, with the long-term goal of helping small rural towns across North Dakota adapt this model to their own settings.
Stay Connected as Sweetgrass Place Grows
If you are a family member, healthcare partner, potential funder, or community leader who wants to follow the development of Sweetgrass Place, we’d love to stay in touch. Share a bit about yourself and we’ll keep you updated as the project moves forward.
brigid@sweetgrassplace.org
Bismarck, North Dakota
Sweetgrass Care Initiative LLC