Today’s personal care options for seniors are very different than those of 50, 25 or even 10 years ago. A perfect example of the beautiful new face of senior living? The impeccably updated Memory Care Center of Excellence at Louisville, Kentucky’s Episcopal Church Home. Residents moved into this new community in September upon completion of Phase I of the comprehensive renovation project, and have been enjoying the many benefits of living there over the past few months.
Here’s a closer look at what makes ECH’s Memory Care Center of Excellence a shining standout among person-centered care communities.
The Comforts of Home
Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect while simultaneously feeling a sense of purpose in their lives. Changes made during Phase I embody this ethos. To that end, the Memory Care Center of Excellence at ECH was carefully re-designed with the comfort and well-being of residents guiding the process — starting with the color palette. Incorporating soothing shades of green and tan alongside “pops” of more vibrant hues, the Memory Care Center feels fresh, vibrant and welcoming.
This aesthetic is interwoven throughout the community, including in the family-style kitchen and dining rooms, where thoughtful details like a dynamic backsplash, warm wood tones, and stainless steel appliances add up to spaces that are as elegant as they are inviting.
Personalization Matters
At Episcopal Church Home, we value and honor the individuality of each of our residents. As such, bedrooms within the Memory Care Center of Excellence are decorated in warm neutral colors aimed at complementing each community member’s unique tastes and preferences. In addition to featuring attractive bedroom furnishings, each room is also home to a curio cabinet where residents are encouraged to display cherished mementos.
Not only do these elements of personalization help ease community members' transitions from private homes into personal care, but they continue to be reassuring to residents throughout their stay.
The Safety Imperative
Because the safety of our residents is paramount, safety features are front and center at the Memory Care Center of Excellence. To maximize stability and fall prevention, for example, each private resident bathroom has slip-resistant flooring. Sun porches and secure outdoor areas, meanwhile, mean community members can enjoy healthy freedom of movement with no sacrifice of security.
In addition to safer and more satisfied residents and family members, the new Memory Care Center of Excellence is also earning rave reviews from staff members. Says ECH Executive Director Beverly Edwards, “Staff are exceedingly pleased with our new space and have expressed how appreciative they are to work in such a beautiful place.”
Continuing Care Retirement Community
One last thing to keep in mind when it comes to memory care and the advantages of ECH? It is a Continuing Care Retirement Community, meaning that as the needs of residents change, they can remain a part of the ECH family thanks to the 24-hour skills nursing capacity of our Marmion neighborhood.
As memory care becomes increasingly sought-after due to the rapidly aging population, finding the right community can make all the difference to seniors and the people who love them. Advises a recent US New & World Report article on how to make the most informed decision, “Good memory care engages residents and gives them space to be active, promotes their physical and emotional well-being and doesn’t overly rely on medication.”
The updates and upgrades made during Phase I of ECH’s Memory Care Center of Excellent renovation project not only reinforce ECH's status as a premier person-centered care community but also speak to the organization's ongoing commitment to helping all of its community members lead comfortable and meaningful lives.
