FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Wesley Achieves Gold Level Certification as a Montessori Inspired Lifestyle® Community
The Wesley joins an exclusive group of over 100 credentialed senior living communities around
the world that have implemented a revolutionary Montessori-based approach to memory care.
Hutchinson, 12/8/25—The team at The Wesley is devoted to building a Montessori Inspired
Lifestyle® for their community, earning them the highest Gold 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. Guided by CARD, staff learned how to implement the Montessori principles of
equality, dignity, and respect into their community. Staff were trained to empower residents
with memory impairment to be as independent as possible. This is achieved through tapping
into each resident’s remaining strengths, designing environments they can thrive in, and
helping them find purposeful activities and meaningful roles within their community.
Communities effectively using Montessori principles benefit from healthier and happier
residents, fewer drugs, fewer responsive behaviors, more satisfied families, and better staffing
and census (Witt-Hoblit, Miller, & Camp, 2016).
Gold Level organizations have resident-led committees, multidisciplinary Learning Circles,
effective signage and environmental cues, personalization of resident spaces, and many other
milestones. In addition, they have demonstrated at least one innovative achievement in
applying MIL principles and have attended additional hours of advanced online learning in MIL
from CARD, among other exemplary achievements.
Several years ago, The Wesley embarked on a journey to bring dedicated cognitive support
services to our campus. Working with Jerree Forbes, Ed.D., an expert in cognitive function, we
wanted to seek out a program that allowed residents to truly participate in their lives rather than
having a one-size-fits-all program offering only pacifying activities. Our efforts were sidetracked
by several events, including a global pandemic and shutdown, until Nabeel Khokhar was hired
in early 2023 as our Chief Operating Officer. One of Nabeel’s charges in his new role was to
find such a supportive program that checked all the proverbial boxes. He discovered CARD and
their Montessori-inspired approach, which I feel is designed perfectly for seniors experiencing
cognitive challenges. This innovative program for residents “meets them where they are” in their
individual journeys, a mindset I truly support. Our team embraced the program, and we have
now achieved Gold Status, the pinnacle, with Legacy residents fully participating in day-to-day
living with purpose. From leading group functions to helping set up for supper, the residents are
engaged and inspired. I couldn’t be prouder of Nabeel and his team for fulfilling our goal of
bringing such a program that encourages and assists our Legacy residents to not only live, but
to thrive.
Mark Mains, President & CEO
The Wesley is a vibrant retirement community and continuum care campus. Call 620-663-9175 for
more information or visit thewesleyks.com.
