"Three New Living Environments"

Memory Enhancement Center

Once again, the primary design objective was to create small neighborhoods -- in this case twelve residents per neighborhood -- which are calming, homelike, familiar, and fully responsive to those with memory impairment. The new Frank and Laura Smock Memory Enhancement Center consists of 48 private rooms, designed almost identically to the 350 square foot health care rooms, including a private bathroom and shower. (click image for larger view)

Each neighborhood is supported by generous program and living spaces, offering many opportunities for residents to support long-term memory. Points of interest, called life stations, are built around primary themes intended to evoke memories and experiences and actively engage the resident. Examples of life stations include a historical sports memorabilia area, garden room, a rummage area, a homemaker area, and living room fireplace. For individuals with cognitive decline, having the opportunity to recall past events and experiences tends to be calming and reassuring, allowing them to rediscover a lost sense of self. Thus, the environmental design serves to enable and encourage individuals to utilize strengths rather than compound their weaknesses.

It is well known that individuals with dementia or Alzheimer's disease can become agitated if their immediate environment appears chaotic or unfamiliar. For that reason, the familiar, home-like feelings of the new Center has been identified as an essential aspect of their care. Because these individuals tend to be very active, providing an outlet for their skills and interests is vital to their quality of life. The tight clustering of resident dwellings around the common living spaces gave us the opportunity to create multiple points of interest for residents to explore and discuss, which are easily accessible and visible from the resident's personal dwelling. Ultimately, our intent was to create an environment that supports healthy memory, preventing premature placement in the health care center.

Features of the Memory Enhancement Center

Room Features

Oversized resident dwellings allowing greater flexibility in arranging room furnishings and creating a feeling of "home"
Full residential bathrooms including walk-in shower
Large corner windows in most dwellings allow for greater visual access to outdoors, allowing more natural light into the space, and a six inch sill provides an ideal location for plants and mementoes.
Read more about Memory Enhancement amenities here

Neighborhood Features

Restaurant style dining featuring many made-to-order items to meet individual's taste and special dietary needs.
Easy access to secured outdoor courtyards
Living room fireplace
Exercise area
Morning Café
Easy access to patios, balconies and courtyards
Indirect cove lighting raising the overall light level while eliminating glare for residents with diminished vision
Carpeting throughout reducing background noise for residents with compromised hearing or those with hearing devices
Personal laundry facilities
Card-key security

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