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2009-11-21

2009-11-18

2009-11-05

Agriculture

Lifestyles

Thursday, September 10, 2009 11:42 AM

Photo by Linda Brown/The Ottawa Herald

Richmond Healthcare resident Jack Angell and activity director Cheryl Griest share a moment Wednesday during an open house for the facility’s new Alzheimer’s and dementia unit, Traditions.

Living area’s new design aims to make Alzheimer’s, dementia patients happier

By LINDA BROWN, Herald Staff

Residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia soon will be separated from the general population at Richmond Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center.

It’s segregation by design. The new living area on the west side of the long-term care facility, 304 E. South St., Richmond, has been tailored to meet specific needs and offer quality-of-life improvements.

The public was invited Wednesday to an open house to get a firsthand look at the Alzheimer’s and dementia unit — named Traditions.

Because memory-robbing dementia often makes large spaces feel threatening, Traditions was purposely built in smaller, contained areas, Administrator Melanie Bowman said.

Bowman said she and her staff’s research found residents would be happier in a repeating environment — like the familiar floor plan, colors and room designs.

“The more home-like it is, the happier the residents will be,” she said. “The less confusion there is in the floor plan and colors, the better.”

The 16-bed unit also offers a secured garden area with short walking trails and 24-hour activity directors to achieve comfort for patients who tend to get their days and nights mixed up.

Bowman expects state inspectors to give final approval for the unit to officially open in about two weeks.

E-mail Linda Brown at lbrown@ottawaherald.com.

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Living area’s new design aims to make Alzheimer’s, dementia patients happier

By LINDA BROWN, Herald Staff

E-mail this story to a friend | Print this article | Enjoy the convenience of home delivery of The Ottawa Herald.

E-mail this story to a friend | Print this article |
Enjoy the convenience of home delivery of The Ottawa Herald.