Legacy Park provides secure environment for Alzheimer's patients
Other services
are available
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
Marion County now has a state-of-the-art facility in the specialized care of people with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.
Legacy Park, the Mid-America Health Centers facility at 407 N. Locust, Peabody, recently completed a huge remodeling project to provide a secure area for Alzheimer's residents where they can wander and still be safe.
David Wurth, special projects manager for Mid-America, said it is important for Alzheimer's residents to be able to wander.
By knocking out one wall of a long hallway, the company was able to move the nurses' station from a corner to a more centralized, open location.
A large living area was created around the nurses' station. It includes a central table for activities, a kitchenette for food activities, and enough space to allow ambulatory residents to walk around.
Sliding doors just off the living area give access to the outdoors, where residents can walk around in a large, enclosed, secure patio and enjoy other outdoor activities.
A leisure room also was created.
"It isn't the same as building a new facility from scratch, but we've done what we could with what we have," said David Wurth.
Wurth, his two brothers, and their father own Mid-America, which purchased the facility in June 2002.
The people who work in the special care unit at Legacy Park are trained in Alzheimer's care. All meals and activities are conducted in the unit.
Executive director Ron Leupp said he is diligent in finding the right people to work in the unit.
"There are those people who enjoy and are effective with that population," he said. "It takes another brand of patience."
He said staff members stimulate conversation and tend to develop personal relationships with the residents.
Because of the attachments formed between staff and residents, staff turnover in Alzheimer units is 50 percent less than turnover in the regular wings of the nursing home, Wurth said.
In addition to full-time care, Legacy Park provides day-care for those afflicted with Alzheimer's. It is often called respite care because it gives family members a break from their constant responsibilities.
"The worst thing is to leave them (Alzheimer's victims) alone," Wurth said, "Not just for safety, but for lack of stimulation."
He said stimulation slows the progression of the disease.
Wurth encourages families and victims of Alzheimer's to visit a care facility before the need is there.
"We don't want them to come when they're ready. Don't wait for a crisis," he said.
Leupp encourages families to "just come by and talk," and see the facilities.
He believes Legacy Park provides an environment where the resident feels good and families like it, too.
"We would like to help the community understand Alzheimer's and host educational meetings with families and caregivers," Wurth said.
Leupp can be contacted at 620-983-2152.
Other facilities
Other nursing homes in Marion County provide integrated care for Alzheimer's victims.
At St. Luke Living Center, people with Alzheimer's are accepted if they are confined to a wheelchair.
"Many nursing homes take them earlier, but they don't meet their needs," said director Debbie Craig. "Wandering is healthy, but when they're in that stage, we can't help."
She said when people are first diagnosed with the disease, they tend to rise to the occasion and can deal with it for quite a while.
St. Luke Living Center can be reached at 620-382-3117.
Lori Ryan, director of Marion Manor, said those in the nursing industry have different philosophies about how to care for Alzheimer's victims.
"At Marion Manor, they are integrated with the population," she said. "It works well for us."
The facility provides rehabilitation services for people with Alzheimer's who live at home and undergo surgery or other medical procedures. They then are returned home.
The phone number is 620-382-2191.
Jo Allen, director of nursing services at Parkside Homes in Hillsboro, said Alzheimer's residents live among other residents and are accepted at any stage of the disease.
She said staff members work with them and their families, educating them on what to expect in the future and how to respond to their loved one's behavior. Activities are provided for Alzheimer's residents according to their ability.
The Parkside Homes office number is 620-947-2301.
Prairie View of Marion provides mental health services for Alzheimer's victims and their families. Social workers are willing to provide phone consultations to hear people's concerns and needs.
During the early stages of the disease, individuals can receive counseling and medical help with psychiatric problems such as depression. Caregivers also can receive similar assistance.
Prairie View is looking to develop an Alzheimer's support group for Marion County. Caregiver workshops also can be arranged. Interested individuals are encouraged to call the Marion office at 620-382-3701.
Other resources
National Alzheimer's Association: helpline, 1-800-487-2585; online, www.alz.org. Wichita Alzheimer's Association: helpline, 1-877-267-7333; online, www. alzheimerskansas.org.
