People who have dementia and Alzheimer’s disease lose much of their day-to-day memory, but often retain clear memories from birth to 21 years of age. A new assisted living facility called Lantern of Chagrin Valley has been created to cater and enhance those early memories. The conceptual living reportedly slows the progression of the disease. The planned indoor courtyard comes complete with homes, a golf course and a hair salon for residents. Country Living reports.
The 45,000 square-foot center is the largest private building project in South Russell in recent years and will use modern technology to create an interactive environment for seniors with Alzheimer's. The disease is a form of dementia that results in memory loss affecting a person's daily life.
Also a learning center, The Lantern of Chagrin Valley is set to open in December and is the second assisted living facility created by CEO and occupational therapist Jean Makesh. He says the patients are able to enjoy the sunlight and stars without having to go outside due to a fiber optic ceiling.
The look is deliberately reminiscent of a small town in the 1930s and '40s—even the paint colors are from those decades, according to the News-Herald. The "sky ceiling" features fiber optics that mimics daylight and starry skies, depending on what time it is. The floor is painted green like grass, bird-chirping sound effects play in the background, and artificial plants dot the common spaces. At night, "porch" lights turn on outside residents' rooms.
Makesh says the controlled environment can “reduce anxiety and depression” among residents.
Makesh hopes that by taking a rehabilitation approach to Alzheimer's, occupational therapists like himself—along with physical, speech, and psycho-therapists—will be able to slow the progression of the disease to a manageable level more on par with other progressive diseases like multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's. He is optimistic that he and his staff will, within 10 years, find a way for some patients to go back home. Already, several clients are able to bathe and dress themselves "in their setting."
Enriching the lives of those with dementia/Alzheimer with changes like this is truly a beautiful thing. Enriching the lives of anyone is a beautiful thing. Hopefully, other assisted living/memory care facilities will follow suit. Even some senior living facilities might do well to pull some ideas.
VIA