In June of 2021, Meadowood held a groundbreaking ceremony to expand their memory care home. The center was designed to incorporate input from both residents and staff, and is on schedule to open in August of 2022.
According to The Alzheimer’s Association, 6.5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease. This number is projected to rise to nearly 13 million by 2050. The need for safe yet fulfilling living arrangements is growing each year, and Meadowood is committed to providing people living with dementia an experience that honors their need for normalcy and personal autonomy.
That’s why we’ve designed our new memory care center with the utmost care and intention. We spent five years studying the best memory care facilities in the world, visiting sites, and consulting with experts to create our new 22-resident home – with more to come in the next decade.
A Memory Care Center Designed with Diligence
The Meadowood team is passionate about offering our residents an unparalleled sense of freedom and independence without sacrificing safety. One of the innovative memory care facilities we studied and modeled our new center after, Hogeweyk in the Netherlands, focuses on providing residents with an environment that allows them to live their best lives, continue participating in a community, and stay active.
We also took input from our staff, our current residents, and their families to ensure that the new center is designed with their needs at the forefront. Our goal is to create a setting enriched by nature and incorporating elements of soothing, comforting design ideal for those living with dementia.
The new center will feature:
- Beautiful green spaces including two interior gardens, so residents are free to spend time in the great outdoors any time they like without safety becoming a concern.
- A greenhouse with a horticultural specialist on hand to lead gardening activities. According to Psychiatry Investigates: “Horticultural therapy (HT) and exposure to gardens…has been reported to be effective for improving sleep, agistation, and cognition in dementia patients. As a cognitive therapy, HT helps clients learn new skills and regain lost skills.”
- A salon to keep residents looking and feeling their best, allowing them to enjoy the normalcy and luxury of the routine grooming visits that they’re used to.
- Meeting spaces for those who are still working or involved with clubs and organizations.
- Two activity rooms so residents can pursue their interests in the company of friends and family.
- A new dining venue so they can enjoy meals in an elegant dining setting.
Activities Designed to Support Memory Care and Active Lifestyles
Many of our residents are accustomed to living an active, productive lifestyle. Meadowood is designing our new memory care center to support that lifestyle to the fullest. For example, many of our residents have a lifelong love of horses, so we’ve organized outings to the Fun-E Farm, a nearby horse farm that allows residents to visit with the horses and even bring family with them to share the experience. Our hikers, bikers, and runners also appreciate our full schedule of physical activity programs that allow them to keep the energetic lifestyle they love.
Our staff works hard to create an outstanding array of activities that run the gamut of interests, so there is truly something for everyone. Working closely with the fitness and wellness departments, all of our activities are arranged to be as beneficial as possible, with top-rated local professionals leading several activities alongside our talented staff.
A Meadowood Memory Care Center Success Story
We recently helped a resident who was living in our traditional personal care home, Laurel House, to transition to Azalea House, the current memory care center. While she was comfortable at Laurel House, we realized that Azalea House could offer her more support as her journey with dementia began to progress. At Azalea House, she has been able to enjoy a more structured and predictable daily experience without having to plan out her activities on her own. The resident’s family immediately noticed that the move offered her a happier and more relaxed living experience that allowed her to blossom. “We should have done this sooner,” they said.
Interested in Learning More About the Memory Care Center at Meadowood?
We all want the very best for ourselves and our beloved family members, and that’s why Meadowood places a passion for residents’ happiness and wellbeing above all other considerations. If you’re interested in finding a home that allows you or your loved one to maintain a fulfilling and independent lifestyle, we’d love to give you a tour and answer all of your questions. Contact us today to find out more.