Balancing freedom and support is vital to any plan for assisted senior living.
Westminster Memory Care Lexington is about to provide a brand-new, unique all-memory-care-community to the local region, one that specializes in dementia interactive care, says its executive director Cynthia Hill.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by an open house, is planned for this month or next, depending on the timing of final operational permits.
Westminster Development constructed this new 48-unit, luxury senior living community at 886 Park Road in Lexington specifically to serve seniors with memory loss through specialized programming, while allowing seniors to live as independently as possible in a safe and caring environment.
Cynthia states that Alzehimer’s Association statistics indicate someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s every 65 seconds. "We are the only community in our area with certified nurse assistants and licensed nursing staff providing care 24/7," she says. "The nurses will administer all of the medications."
The building basically consists of two, identical wings -- each comprised of 24 private rooms. Cynthia says each room encompasses 375 square feet, and that they can accommodate spouses. Laundry and housekeeping are handled by the facility's staff.
The center's team is especially delighted with the use of natural light and open interior design plan throughout the new center, which was developed to provide helpful and calming physical cues for residents. Cynthia says their fish aquarium will offer a peaceful ambiance to the den and living room space; that's where the center will host guest speakers. She says the activity area has a big screen television, as well as recliners and tables, and will be where they conduct exercise, do puzzles, play games and finish arts and crafts.
There will be plenty of outdoor space for residents to enjoy, including a sail-covered area for soaking up a bit of filtered sunshine as well as an enclosed walking trail. They also are planning a bird aviation area.
An on-site hair salon will be contracted and offered, creating opportunities for spa-like experiences for residents.
Art therapy is an important service provided by Westminster Memory Care's management company, Avenir Senior Living Options. Cynthia says they also hope to forge partnerships with local art students and school teachers, who can create individual masterpieces with the residents or host art shows.
Additionally, Westminster will offer respite care for family caregivers who need assistance during travel times, vacations, business trips, medical situations or brief breaks.
Cynthia assures that the building also contains a hurricane-safe room with its own backup generator.
"For families, at the end of the day, everything's about care. And we're passionate about the level of care we provide. All of our amenities are wonderful, but they are icing on the cake. Our dedicated care is the cake," Cynthia says.
This new care center is a $13.5 million investment, Cynthia says, adding that the facility offers at least 40 jobs to the local community.
Leanne Ballentine is the center's new marketing director. Matilda Hill was hired as the business office manager. They also will employ a full-time activity director.
Sous chef Tony Jackson will serve as the center's chef, complete with running an interactive kitchen in the dining room. When possible, he plans to prepare food, snacks and desserts, such as banana pudding, with the residents. He also plans to cook and create dishes in front of them when he can.
Cynthia says she and her managerial staff have a combined seven decades of experience in the health care industry. She adds that the facility's entire staff is trained in dealing with dementia. "The lives of our owners and investors also have been personally affected by dementia, and they wanted our new center to have all the extras. That's another reason we have adjustable lighting and lavender therapy," she adds.
Living by and working from the mantra "what remains is far more important than what is lost," Cynthia promises they will care for residents by making them feel meaningful, successful and valuable while serving them with accountability, compassion and integrity.
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