Jun 8 2010
Families with loved ones who have memory challenges will breathe a sigh of relief on June 11, when Springhill retirement community opens the doors to the Woodlands Memory Support Neighborhood. A presentation by Springhill Executive Director Jim Schneider and Ed Thomas, CEO of Asbury Communities, the management company for Springhill, will begin at 11:00 a.m. with tours of the new neighborhood to follow.
“There are more good things to come here at Springhill, and completion of this first phase of the memory unit is another step in reaching our long-term goals.”
Phase I, approximately 80 percent of the project, is complete, with $1.2 million spent to renovate existing space and create The Woodlands at the community's ForestView Health Center. An additional 2,000 square feet of space, including a family activity room, quiet room, conference room, staff lounge and new entryway, are slated for Phase II of the project at an approximate cost of $500,000. The total $1.7 million to complete the project was raised in only one year through a capital campaign directed toward Springhill residents and families that was also supported by Springhill staff, Board members, friends of Springhill and a generous funds-matching program provided by General Electric.
"The long-term goal for our community has always been to provide a full range of services for seniors," explains Mr. Schneider. "With the opening of the Woodlands, we can now supply specialized services to people with memory loss brought on by Alzheimer's and other conditions. This effort encompasses three elements: a safe environment and family-friendly atmosphere, specialized programming that takes an individualized approach to each resident, and finally, the nurturing and care provided by skilled staff."
The Woodlands has been made into a secure, yet comfortable, environment that feels like home but with defined parameters so that residents can move around freely but also remain safe. The Woodlands has 20 beds and has been designed intentionally on a smaller scale so that staff can provide more one-on-one support. This new neighborhood boasts an enclosed patio with flowers, an herb garden, fountain and pergola—all secured. Other highlights include a living room with a fireplace, family style kitchen where family members and staff can sit down together with residents for a meal, a family activity room, quiet room, conference room, and small lounge.
The specialized program, the second element, taps into past interests and hobbies that residents love, and encourages their family and friends to participate. Residents are also engaged in purposeful day-to-day tasks. "The residents gain a feeling of success and they feel connected to life," says Sharon Cacchione, administrator of the ForestView Health Center at Springhill, who additionally oversees the daily operations of the Woodlands. "Helping our residents live life to the fullest, at whatever stage of life they are in, is one of our commitments. This commitment is also evident in the abundance of activities that we offer, as well as our wellness program in which active residents from the entire Springhill community are involved."
Staff, the third element, were carefully selected and trained using an industry-leading model developed by one of the nation's premier memory support neighborhoods. In addition, the Woodlands utilizes best practices documented and proven successful throughout the Asbury Communities system of retirement communities. Staff are not only on-site at the Woodlands to provide care, but also to actively engage with residents by joining them and their families in various activities, so that memory-challenged residents grow comfortable and get to know them.
"We feel like the opening of the Woodlands Memory Support Neighborhood is a big accomplishment, especially to be able to move forward with it during a down economy," says Mr. Schneider. "There are more good things to come here at Springhill, and completion of this first phase of the memory unit is another step in reaching our long-term goals."