Since it opened in February 2022, 1950s-themed adult day center Town Square Sarasota has been offering onsite coordinated care to its members through outside medical providers. Now, members – nearly all of whom are seniors living with Alzheimer’s and various forms of dementia – will have the ability to make appointments with a local, highly sought-after dementia doctor who has not taken on new patients for some time.

As of mid-July, Miguel G. Rivera, M.D. – a.k.a. the “Dementia Doc” – now offers clinics every other Monday at Town Square Sarasota, exclusively for members of the adult day center, which provides members with meaningful care, engagement and socialization. Dr. Rivera will also provide expert advice to Town Square Sarasota’s staff about how to continue best serving its members and their family caregivers.

“Dr. Rivera is a highly respected, highly sought-after expert in his field who practices with tremendous kindness and compassion,” said Michael Finn, who co-owns Town Square Sarasota with wife and business partner Sherri Finn. “We are so fortunate to be able to host him at Town Square Sarasota and offer our members access to his leading memory care services to help improve their quality of life.”

Dr. Rivera is an adult psychiatrist who has focused exclusively in dementia for the past 20 years. His approach to caring for patients with memory issues includes medication management, as well as holistic alternatives that address common dementia-related symptoms like depression, anxiety, agitation and sleep problems. Modalities he may suggest to patients include physical activity, dietary changes, spending time outside, cognitive stimulation, socialization, music, massage and theater/improvisation.

“Town Square Sarasota is a beautiful location, and the concept of an adult day center that provides opportunities for seniors with memory care issues to socialize is wonderful,” Dr. Rivera said. “But the warm personalities and caring hearts of owners Michael and Sherri were really what made me feel like this partnership was a good fit.”

A “concierge doctor” who uses a fee-for-service model for billing, Dr. Rivera visits patients via telemedicine, at their homes or facilities, at his office, and now, at Town Square Sarasota when seeing their members. He also consults with families about care options and stress management, works with lawyers on legal issues such as capacity evaluations, and offers speaking engagements.

Dr. Rivera graduated from the University of Missouri School of Medicine and completed psychiatry residency training at the University of South Florida. A resident of Sarasota for over 20 years, Dr. Rivera has given speeches throughout the U.S. and internationally, including serving as the keynote at an Alzheimer’s Association conference and presenting at the recent annual conference for the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.

Town Square Sarasota is one of six Town Square locations across the country, and the concept is disrupting the senior services industry as many of today’s seniors look to “age in place.” Town Square offers activities, exercise, socialization and care for seniors with memory issues, but in a day center environment, with members grouped according to their cognitive ability. This allows members to live at home longer, as Town Square provides seniors much-needed socialization and purpose, and offers caregivers resources, relief and peace of mind.

In the year-and-a-half since opening, Town Square Sarasota has grown to over 130 members and 11 staff members. The staffing-to-member ratio each day is 1:5. In June, Town Square Sarasota won the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce’s Rising Star Award for best new business in the area.

“We have heard so many amazing stories of how our members’ lives have changed for the better since they’ve started coming to Town Square Sarasota,” Sherri Finn said. “It warms our hearts to hear things like how they’re sleeping better, talking more to their families, and generally engaging more. We’re very proud to be part of this community.”

In addition to Dr. Rivera, outside medical providers offering services at Town Square Sarasota include FOX Rehabilitation – offering physical, occupational and speech therapies daily – as well as an audiologist, podiatrist, and mobile lab and x-ray services.

About Town Square Sarasota
Located at 3882 Central Sarasota Parkway in Sarasota, Town Square Sarasota is a senior day center focused on providing engagement and socialization for seniors challenged with the normal effects of aging, as well as those living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Town Square Sarasota offers members recreational programming in a safe environment, as well as coordinated care with outside medical providers. For more information, visit https://www.townsquare.net/sarasota/.

About “Dementia Doc” Miguel G. Rivera, M.D.
A concierge doctor who uses a fee-for-service model for billing, Dr. Rivera visits patients via telemedicine, at their homes or facilities, at his office. He also consults with families about care options and stress management, works with lawyers on legal issues such as capacity evaluations, and offers speaking engagements. For more information, visit https://thedementiadoc.com/.

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