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RiverWoods to open Memory Care Center

Daily Item - 10/22/2017

Oct. 22--LEWISBURG -- A Memory Care Center for those living with dementia and Alzheimer's disease will open next month at RiverWoods Senior Living Community north of Lewisburg.

Albright Care Services, which owns RiverWoods, transformed what was once a long-term care home into a 23-unit residential community -- 21 individual rooms and two shared rooms.

The Memory Care Center adds to RiverWoods existing rehabilitation center and two long-term care facilities. It's part of a "repositioning" to meet specific patient needs in specific facilities, according to Lennea Brown, executive director.

"It's huge," Brown said of the need for memory care. "I think it's only going to grow with the Baby Boomers."

Douglas Flasher, chief operating officer at Albright, said about 20 people already living in a RiverWoods facility have been identified as potential residents at the Memory Care Center. Remaining rooms will be opened to the public after the in-house residents are settled, likely in December, Flasher said.

The Memory Care Center, similar to a sister Albright center built in York, measures at 16,400 square feet. There are three residential wings, each color-coded to help residents find their way from their rooms to the shared living and dining spaces and outdoor garden.

Bedrooms measure at 400 square feet and are furnished simply and tastefully. The rooms have a warm feel. Floorings in the bedroom and bathroom are appealing and manufactured for grip. The showers are walk-in to help prevent residents from slipping.

Each room is painted in pale shades of blue, green or rose. Flasher said the tones are proven to be soothing. Red was chosen for the kitchen and dining areas. The color, he said, has shown to encourage an appetite.

"That is a therapeutic part of the program," Flasher said of the seemingly benign but clinically specific color choices.

The shared spaces are an open floor plan, giving plenty of room to the 25 residents who will call the center home plenty of room to walk and space to feel comfortable.

"The big thing is they're safe, they're secure," Brown said.

Brown said residents will be encouraged to live as independently as they can. If they're used to waking and making their own bed, they will. They can set their own table ahead of a meal, find a seat to knit or crochet or relax and watch football on the television.

"The program is designed to keep their daily routines as close to as they've become accustomed in a home-life environment," she said.

Flasher said Albright designed what it calls a Kaleidoscope Therapeutic Engagement Program. It focuses on intellectual, sensory, physical, spiritual and social aspects. Cognitive workouts, engaging the five senses, keeping a body in motion and getting residents and staff to engage one another all will be stressed.

"We want to encourage socialization which is important for every resident on our campus," Flasher said.

Email comments to escicchitano@dailyitem.com. Follow Scicchitano on Twitter @ericshick11.

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