Cedar Lake Village

The memory care neighborhood will feature a shared, secured outdoor courtyard in the middle of the two households. A garden and indoor/outdoor activity stations are also included.

More than five million Americans are living with dementia, which is a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. Every 67 seconds, someone in the United States develops Alzheimer’s, the most common type of dementia. The Alzheimer’s Association says it’s the sixth leading cause of death, and one in three seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another dementia every year. As the baby boomer generation grows older, more Americans and their families will face difficult choices in caring for those suffering from this disease.

In early 2016, KC metro residents will have another choice in housing for those dealing with the effects of dementia. Cedar Lake Village, jointly owned by Olathe Medical Center and the Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society, will open a new memory care assisted-living facility dedicated to the treatment of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Leaders of both organizations approved the new memory care facility several months ago.

“Many dementias are progressive, meaning symptoms start out slowly and gradually get worse,” stated Abby Davenport, Marketing Director, Cedar Lake Village. “With the completion of Cedar Lake Village Memory Care Assisted Living, our communities will be able to serve the needs of seniors throughout the range of dementia, from the early stages to the most severe stages of memory care needs.”

Cedar Lake Village, 15325 South Lone Elm Road, Olathe, Kansas, is on the campus of Olathe Medical Center, and is one of only a few campuses in the area providing access to a full continuum of care. The campus includes Good Samaritan Society–Olathe, a skilled nursing facility with a specialized dementia and Alzheimer’s unit, Hoeger House, a post-acute rehabilitation facility, the Olathe Medical Center Hospice House, and doctors’ offices with a variety of specialties such as orthopedics, oncology, cardiology, women’s health and more.

The Olathe Medical Center campus is a one-stop shop for all aspects of senior wellness, and it’s conveniently located near shopping, restaurants and hotels. The new memory care center on the campus is expected to open in early 2016. It will be connected to the main building of Cedar Lake Village, providing safe, secure and comfortable households. “The memory care facility will be divided into two households each containing 12 apartments,” described Abby. “Each household will offer wonderful, engaging amenities such as a shared kitchen and dining room, a four seasons room and entertainment room. All these areas will be maintained by our skilled staff.”

The memory care neighborhood will feature a shared, secured outdoor courtyard in the middle of the two households. A garden and indoor/outdoor activity stations are also included. The studio apartments offer a combined living room and bedroom with private bath, featuring a clear line of sight from the main room to the restroom. Residents will bring their own furniture, such as chairs and a bed, while the facility will provide an armoire or dresser.

Seniors moving into the memory care facility at Cedar Lake Village will have been diagnosed with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s or dementia. Basically, they can get around with minimal or little assistance but need a secure facility with different programming. They may need support with daily living activities such as taking medication, bathing, dressing, housekeeping or transportation. The residents will have their privacy and independence with a bedroom and bath, but they can also enjoy the areas that are shared with other residents and the interaction that this brings.

“A groundbreaking with the Olathe Chamber of Commerce is set for March 2015. Conceptual drawings are complete, and the architects are putting the finishing touches on the final drawings,” remarked Abby. “The construction timeline is being set, and we’ll take applications for the waiting list soon. Our plans are to begin moving residents into Cedar Lake Village Memory Care in early 2016.”

Cedar Lake Village opened its doors in 2001 with 36 assisted living apartments and 48 senior living apartments. In 2006, Cedar Lake Village added another 54 senior living apartments. In 2007, the Villas began to take shape. Cedar Lake Village started out with four villas and has now grown to 22. The 160-unit senior housing complex is designed to provide seniors with some supportive services. The senior living units offer residents age 55 and over the benefits of a personalized lifestyle combined with the security of community living, in a maintenance-free household. Cedar Lake Village, Inc. includes both Cedar Lake Village and Hoeger House, a short-term, post-acute rehabilitation facility on the campus.

If you’re contemplating assistance for family members dealing with the effects of dementia, consider Cedar Lake Village Memory Care Assisted Living. Its warm and engaging environment will meet the needs of your loved ones and the family who loves them.

For more information, visit the website at cedarlakevillagekc.org or call 913 780-9916.