New Bend Facility Features Life Enhancing Programs in Home-Like Setting
An innovative new 56-unit facility specializing in enhancing quality of life for those dealing with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and other forms of memory loss has been unveiled in south east Bend.
Mt. Bachelor Memory Care Residence, located on Powers Road off Highway 97, offers comprehensive caring through a supportive community serving the special needs of residents in a comforting environment, deftly incorporating safety and supportive cues throughout, even in the secured courtyard and inside walking path.
The 28,000 square foot facility, designed by Steele Associates Architects and constructed by SunWest Builders, features an inviting fireside lobby and two wings circulating around spacious, easily navigable amenities including community gathering spots and dining areas supported by a full commercial kitchen. Convivial artwork is also on display throughout.
A monthly service fee includes three home-cooked meals a day, weekly housekeeping with linen service, personalized care plans, specially designed events and activities, and scheduled transportation.
The center also utilizes the “Pathways” program, a Montessori-based approach to care designed to help individuals with memory loss maintain function. Individually tailored life enrichment programs provide the stability of a routine while maximizing independence, autonomy and development of close bonds between residents, their families and caregivers, enhanced by wellness programs.
A variety of floor plans including studios and companion suites are available in a soothing overall environment including comfortable community space, outdoor walkways and gardens, and a supportive staff on hand round the clock.
Residence Executive Director Mallory DaCosta said, “Our unique community is designed with the residents in mind, showcasing a newer concept in memory care that provides an atmosphere that is inviting and comfortable for both residents and their families. The residence is designed to feel more like you are in someone’s home rather than a care facility.
“This beautiful building offers a sense of home and comfort, reducing the feelings of loneliness and confusion, as we understand how important this is to our residents and their loved ones.
“There is a consistent need for this type of facility, which is becoming more prevalent with an increasingly aging population, and we emphasize comfort and security in a familiar type of environment that is not confining and does not have a lot of barriers.
“Everything is built around the curriculum, with programs running from 10am to 8pm. A lot of what we do is also community-related – for instance, right now residents are fostering kittens for the Humane Society.
“We consistently work on development of life skills and contribution to society, maybe in similar ways in which individuals participated when they were more active, geared toward engagement rather than entertainment.”
In that context, every resident is given a purposeful social role or “job” within the community, based on current skills and interests.
The Pathways curriculum also offers a research-based daily adult learning program intended to embrace Montessori-rooted principles and strengthen cognition through a continuously-augmented structure that engages residents cohesively over a period of time, creating a specialized, life-enriching environment that affords each individual maximum self-expression.
Montessori-based activities are also modeled after rehabilitative exercises and occupational therapy, and by accessing procedural memory most residents reportedly will be able to improve skills, and even learn new ones.
DaCosta added, “We are really focused on a treatment approach rather than medication. No matter how advanced a condition may be, the brain is still capable of building new cells, and by accessing procedural memory new habits and skills can be developed.
“We are happy to say that one of our residents, who had been living at home with her husband and caregiver and had become non-verbal is now speaking again and showing more recovery of function. The program really is rewarding and enjoyable for residents and staff, and we celebrate a low turnover.
“We had a great team on board involved in design and construction which made sure the process went as smoothly as possible, and the fact we are already 50 percent full and with a number of advance reservations aim to be full by the fall speaks to the level of demand.”
Steele Associates Design Professional Steve Olson commented, “The intent was to create neighborhoods with relatively free access in a secure environment and the ability to move around and not easily get lost.
“The residence offers lots of opportunities for residents to stretch their legs and be sociable in familiar settings with a home-like rather than institutional feel, and development of facilities like this I think speaks to our humanity as a society.”
Project Principal Scott Steele added, “We thank our client for selecting us to design Mt. Bachelor Memory Care. It’s rewarding to be part of a team that delivered a facility which will provide Central Oregon families and their elderly loved ones such a wonderful place for care.”
SunWest Project Manager Wayne Powderly said the building struck a Craftsman-style tone with earthy colors and a warm, inviting atmosphere. Special features included keypad operated secure doors, extra illumination and technology integrated into daily programs such as large white “smart boards” that act as touch-screen surfaces.
The new facility is operated by Frontier Management which runs specialized senior housing and services throughout the US, with a concentration in the Pacific Northwest.
Frontier has expertise in retirement and assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing and nursing homes, emphasizing “commitment, compassion and caring to residents” and was recently ranked 25th among the top 40 senior living providers in the U.S. by Provider magazine, published by the American Health Care Association National Center for Assisted Living.
Expansion of ancillary services and specialty care among assisted living providers continues at a steady pace this year, with companies citing, as they did last year, an optimistic outlook for the sector.
A Frontier spokesman added, “There is a significant, expanding need to provide residential accommodations coupled with professional health care services for our senior family and friends.
“We want to provide a place that resembles home, with all its comforts and security for seniors who are no longer content living alone or independently, yet do not desire or need the intensive care provided by skilled nursing facilities.”
“Frontier Management brings a caliber of expertise not only in retirement living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing but their management style is integrated with a sincere compassion for the residents.”
541-233-5054.
Mt. Bachelor Memory Care Residence
Powers Road off Highway 97
Property Owner/Developer: Frontier Management
Contractor: SunWest Builders
Project Cost: $4.5 million
Square Footage: 28,000
Amenities: Fireside lobby and two wings circulating around spacious, easily navigable amenities
Project Manager: Wayne Powderly of SunWest Builders
Project Superintendent: Tim Curry
Architect: Steele Associates Architects
Principal Architect: Scott Steele/Steve Olson
Surveying Engineer: Hickman Williams
Landscaping: Land Escapes Inc.
Engineer: Froelich Engineers
Subcontractors and Suppliers:
Cleaning Unlimited, Jack Robinson and Sons, Mike’s Fence, Western Protective, 7 Peaks paving, Roats Water Company, Bend Concrete, Roger Langliers, Rasmussen Masonry, All Position Welding, Daley Construction, Miller Lumber, Truss Components, Dimar Siding, Morewood, Clowers Carpetry, Havern Cabinetry, JB Insulation, McMurray & Sons, Commercial Door Hardware, Cascade Interior Tim, Bend Commercial Glass, CCI, Cascade Painting, John Varner, TCS Contract Carpet, McWilliams, NCBS, NW Handling, Construction Specialties, Fireside, Johnson Brothers, Washington Automated, NIC, Knight Mechanical, Cascade Heating, Intuitive Fire, Gowdy Bros., EC Electric.
