Petersen Health Care officials today announce their plans to construct a new Memory Care community in Kewanee. The 24-unit Memory Care facility called Betty’s Garden at Courtyard Estates will provide an additional level of senior care to the community.
Doug Currier, Vice President of Operations for the company’s Assisted Living Division, explained the new development to an invited group of community leaders at a press conference Thursday morning. “Our new memory care community will be a state of the art facility for those suffering from any number of dementia related diseases, including Alzheimer’s. “ The new facility incorporates person-centered care with technology to provide 24 hour engagement with the tenants. “Our local area has seen nothing like this”, he added.
Betty’s Garden Memory Care has been developed over the last few years. It was introduced as a specialized area of the company’s Courtyard Estates of Bushnell. Since that time, the concept has been developed as a separate section of the Courtyard Estates communities in Knoxville and Farmington, with private and secured entry areas.
Each of the 12 units in each section of the newly constructed 14,000 square ft building is designed with the person suffering from dementia or memory loss in mind. There is special programming called “Coming Home” utilizing the latest in memory care technology. Specially trained staff will be on hand around the clock to assist with every need of the tenant. Each section includes everything needed so the occupants do not have to go to a common area for dining, activities or one on one interaction. In addition, each section has a private enclosed patio area for outdoor activities or leisure.
The community is based around safety and security for the tenant and their family alike. Families can spend as much time with the tenant as they wish and can enter or leave as they wish through a secure entry for each section.
Betty’s Garden was designed by the inspiration and in memory of Currier’s mother Betty, who suffered from Alzheimer’s for many years. Laura Heinrich, Regional Business Development Director for Petersen Health Care, said, “ We have developed the programming and services based on real life experiences and education learned over the years of developing our Assisted Living communities. Special training, orientation and quality assurance guidelines have all been developed. On-going training and education are vital for the employees working in Betty’s Garden. “
Currier added, “Memory Care in this setting is new to the area. It continues to be an area where demand far exceeds supply and we are glad to be able to bring Betty’s Garden back home to Kewanee. The programming is quickly being recognized as a leader in the memory care segment. “
The new development will located on the Courtyard Village property on Acorn Street South and will begin yet this fall. It is expected to be completed in August of 2017. It should provide approximately 20 new jobs in the area.
Petersen Health Care’s Assisted Living Division, based out of Peoria, has been the area’s leading provider for independent and assisted living for seniors since 2003, serving twenty communities in Illinois and Iowa. The Courtyard Communities have locations in Kewanee, Galva, Bradford, Monmouth, Peoria, Canton, Havana, Bushnell, Knoxville, Farmington, Walcott IA, Sullivan, Charleston, Casey, Piper City, Brighton, Rock Falls and Sandwich.
More information on Betty’s Garden Memory Care or Independent/Assisted Living can be obtained by visiting www.courtyardestates.net/memory-care or calling Courtyard Estates of Kewanee at (309) 853-2460.
