A separate,secure neighborhood dedicated
to those individuals with Alzheimer's Disease and related disorders.
The memory care program at Whitcomb House is located in a two story building which adjoins the assisted living neighborhoods. It is a secure neighborhood, but the design allows safe access throughout the entire neighborhood and its' courtyard.
The neighborhood is secured with keypad doors that open automatically in the event of an emergency. The door leading to a fenced in garden is kept open during the day. The fenced in garden and walking areas allow residents unrestricted access to the outdoors in good weather. Similarly the building is designed to be as user friendly as possible utilizing handrails, low thresholds, low nap carpeting, emergency call devices and other design features that promote the independence of residents.
The residence is built into a hill allowing for ground level exit on both floors.
Leading Edge Design
• Special design features – utilizes color, lighting and layout to enhance mood, movement and sense of well being.
• Ground-floor common areas - encourages residents to move freely in and out of the building promoting exercise, activity and an experience of freedom.
The new facility has been designed and decorated with the guidance of Joanne Koenig-Coste, M.Ed., one of the nation’s leading experts on the creation of residential care for people with Alzheimer’s disease. Koenig-Koste recently appeared on ABC’s 20/20 television show and was a featured expert in Newsweek’s recent cover story on Alzheimer’s Disease. State of the art Alzheimer’s design utilizes color, lighting and layout concepts to enhance the mood and functioning of memory impaired people while maintaining their safety. For example, some exterior doors will not only be locked with electromagnetic locks, but will be hidden with wallpaper and paint so that they are less obvious to residents. This prevents frustration when they are not able to open the doors. Exterior doors to the safe enclosed garden and walking areas will be highlighted so that residents will be drawn to them and cued to walking outside benefiting both from exercise and the sense of freedom.
Whitcomb House design features include:
• Full spectrum lighting in the common areas. This special lighting mimics natural light an important consideration in Alzheimer’s disease.
• The use of wallpaper and paint color to create differentiation between bedrooms and among the common areas. This enhances a person’s ability to move independently throughout the building.
• A large, open dining and living room area encourages interaction and activity.
• Higher toilets and sinks in the bathroom. This makes it a bit easier for a resident to get up and down from the toilet. A resident can stand more upright at the sink.
• Numerous grab bars in the bathrooms ease safety concerns.
• Easy to hold banister-style handrails in the hallways increase stability when walking.
• Woven Jacquard Crypton upholstery on the furniture. This special material looks like a woven fabric; however, it is water and stain resistant. This allows residents to live in comfort without concern for the occasional accidental spill.
• Low nap carpeting which is easier to walk on and contributes to mobility.
• Private bedrooms. Smaller rooms provide privacy and encourage joining common area activities minimizing isolation.
• Quiet room for peaceful repose.
• Small group activity space.
• Bathing room
• Emergency call system in bedrooms and all bathrooms.
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