Inspired by a dementia village model in the Netherlands, a US senior living operator is opening a new memory care neighborhood concept in two of its communities to provide a “safe and immersive” experience for residents.
Lutheran Senior Services this month opened Towne Plaza at the Bluffs, a new assisted living memory support neighborhood in the Meramec Bluffs continuing care retirement / life plan community in St. Louis, MO. Inspired by the dementia village model of Hogeweyk in Weesp, Netherlands, Towne Plaza features several design elements of the Netherlands model, offering multiple “destinations” to residents.
With one in 10 US adults affected by some form of memory impairment, an LSS spokesperson told McKnight’s Senior Living that there is much more knowledge about the disease that can be used holistically to “value, recognize and celebrate each person through compassion, competence, collaboration and commitment.”
The Towne Plaza factors that knowledge into its design programming. The space encourages sensory engagement, such as via the Harmony Garden, where residents can play musical instruments; a floral shop with hands-on activities; a general store; an art studio; a pet shop with robotic animals and a full-sized aquarium; a “living garden” wall; and more. Dining rooms look like small-town cafes, and the community aims to provide residents with the feeling that they are strolling through town and looking at shops along the way.
The community also incorporated leading-edge technologies, including the Tovertafel tabletop gaming consoles and Gateway to the World, which immerses residents in virtual reality experiences.
“But while these innovations and tools are an important element to our approach, it all comes back to providing our team members with the tools and training so they can bring their empathy and knowledge to the support they provide,” the spokesperson said.
Meramec Bluffs Executive Director Lynne Spriggs said that employees have been “exceptionally supportive” and excited by the new Towne Plaza.
“As a result, they have found new joy in the experience while they are serving our residents with dementia,” Spriggs said. “They’ve embraced the philosophy and purpose behind it, which I think has also enhanced our recruiting efforts.”
LSS President and CEO Adam Marles said in a press release that Towne Plaza at the Bluffs is the first community of its kind to open in the United States.
“We believe that individuals living with dementia deserve to live a life filled with meaning and purpose, and embracing this concept will support the individual views, lifestyles and preferences of our residents while focusing on their holistic wellbeing,” Marles said. “Bringing this remarkable physical space together with our model of support will be truly magical for the people who live here.”
Preserving dignity, expanding purpose
The LSS spokesperson said that the operator was looking to provide memory support services that preserve dignity and expand purpose for residents.
To achieve those goals, LSS developed foundational standards and an approach based on the latest dementia care recommendations from the national Alzheimer’s Association. The approach centers around providing education and support for “care partners,” dining, physical environment, expression interventions and spirituality support, among other factors. The spokesperson said the approach is not top-down with training, but rather intended to be embraced by leaders and “lived” over time.
“By allowing leaders in the communities to develop ‘Teams of Champions,’ we have a better chance of delivering our promise in our philosophy,” the spokesperson said. “These teams will work together within their communities, as well as across communities, and with care partners to truly support those living with dementia.”
Chief Operating Officer Ron Schaefer is credited with having a long-term vision to achieve LSS’ overall goals, according to Vice President of Life Plan Communities Midwest Valerie Cooper. The project repurposed care center space for assisted living memory support within the Meramec Bluffs community.
LSS is planning a similar project with its Mason Pointe community in Town and Country, MO, expected to be completed next year. The organization’s long-term goal is to create the dementia village neighborhood model in all of LSS’ life plan communities in Illinois, Missouri and Pennsylvania.
Towne Plaza at Meramec Bluffs can accommodate up to 32 assisted living memory support residents. Mason Pointe will have 17 to 19 residents. Staffing not only includes a team of nurses, certified nursing assistants and certified medication technicians, but also music therapists and, soon, recreational therapists, to provide additional support and opportunities for residents.
