WILLIAMSTOWN - Sweet Brook Transitional Care and Living Centers in Williamstown invites local residents to participate in the creation of a special Memory Quilt that will be used to celebrate the lives of Sweet Brook residents who pass away.

Sweet Brook has set aside the week of Sunday, June 8 to Saturday, June 14 to create squares for the Memory Quilt. “This is a labor of love for our residents,” said Meg Greenawalt, Activities Director at Sweet Brook. “We are asking for the help of anyone who has the desire to participate, anyone who has sewing skills, and those who have no special skills but the heart to help.” Those interested may contact Ms. Greenawalt, Director of Social Services Nancy Liss, or Admissions Director David Blanchette at (413) 458-8127.

When a resident dies, the Memory Quilt will accompany the resident as they depart Sweet Brook and then will be placed on the resident’s bed for 24 hours in their honor. “This will be our way to recognize and honor the person who has passed away,” said Nancy Liss, LSW, Director of Social Services at Sweet Brook. “It’s yet another way for family members, other residents, and our staff to remember the resident, acknowledge their life here, and what they brought to us.”

Liss has expanded Sweet Brook’s memorial programs by conducting services for residents who have passed away. The program has received high praise from family members and friends, and is appreciated as a means to celebrate the life of a resident and to ease the grieving process.

Upon completion of the Memory Quilt, Sweet Brook will hold a ceremony to formally present the quilt to the community at large and provide a special blessing.

Sweet Brook Transitional Care and Living Centers includes 184 skilled nursing beds, divided into an 81-bed specialized dementia care unit and a 60-bed subacute and rehabilitation unit, 43 long-term care beds, and a separately licensed outpatient rehabilitation center. All beds are certified for the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Both the facility and the specialized dementia care unit are accredited by The Joint Commission (www.jointcommission.org).