Purple Flag Excellence in Dementia Care Accredits Second Maryland Community in Deer’s Head Hospital
December 18, 2025
Purple Flag Excellence in Dementia Care™ has accredited its second community in Maryland – Deer’s Head Hospital Center, a LifeSpan Network community. This accreditation marks Purple Flag’s continued expansion and underscores the strength of its growing partnerships. As a long-term care provider, Deer’s Head will fly Purple Flag’s Memory Care flag recognizing the fact that it has a dedicated memory care unit. Purple Flag also offers three additional accreditations to recognize excellence in Assisted Living, Home Care and Hospice Care.
“Deer’s Head has long been recognized for quality care and innovation grounded in strong family values,” said Christopher Carter, Founder & CEO of Purple Flag Excellence in Dementia Care and President of the Connecticut Assisted Living Association. “With the support of LifeSpan Network, their leadership in achieving this milestone at Deer’s Head Hospital sets the pace for Maryland communities to take actionable steps toward better dementia care.”
Purple Flag’s already existing partnership with LifeSpan Network, Maryland’s leading senior living association, played a key role in the introduction to Deer’s Head and supporting the hospital center through the accreditation process. Their collaboration highlights a shared commitment to advancing quality care for individuals living with dementia and sets the stage for continued growth with additional Maryland communities already in discussion. For over 60 years to the citizens of Maryland, Deer’s Head Hospital Center has been a thriving, person-centered healthcare organization, providing individualized care for the community through a multidisciplinary team approach. Deer’s Head’s vision is of a collaborative, healing environment where everyone is treated with respect and value.
To earn this accreditation, Deer’s Head Hospital demonstrated an alignment with the 10 Best Practice Program Standards outlined by Purple Flag, specifically designed for caring for individuals with dementia. Purple Flag identified these policies and procedures as integral to making a meaningful difference in dementia care. Many residents in a traditional assisted living environment may experience varying degrees of memory loss, so providers must be equipped to support these residents. Dementia diagnoses continue to climb. As of 2025, more than seven (7) million Americans age 65+ are living with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias, a number expected to rise sharply in the coming decades. For families navigating care decisions, accreditation has become a vital touchstone, offering reassurance that a provider has been rigorously evaluated, adheres to proven best practices and is equipped to deliver safe, compassionate and consistent support.
To learn more about Purple Flag and for media inquiries, please contact Christopher
Carter at cpcarter@ctassistedliving.com.