Need for memory care fuels construction

Published: September 16, 2009
Tags: Alzheimer’s Association’s Medical and Scientific department, Alzheimer’s disease, Oklahoma, Oklahoma and Arkansas chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, Touchmark at Coffee Creek, University of Oklahoma’s Tulsa campus

Dana Moore plays a Wii bowling game at the Touchmark at Coffee Creek retirement community in Edmond, Okla. The facility is undergoing a $15 million expansion that includes a three-story addition and a one-level memory care neighborhood. Photo by Maike Sabolich

Heather Caliendo
Dolan Media Newswires

Tulsa, Okla. — Oklahoma will have so many Alzheimer’s patients by 2025 that there’s a boom in construction of housing for them.

By 2010, about 74,000 Oklahomans will have Alzheimer’s and that number is expected to increase by 30 percent in the next 15 years.

“We are standing on the tracks and a train is coming,” said Mark Fried, executive vice president of the Oklahoma and Arkansas chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. “The statistical trends reveal that Alzheimer’s disease is the public health threat of the 21st century.”

The escalating trend has spurred construction of an estimated 2,100 memory care units across the U.S., according to the American Seniors Housing Association.

“Until now memory care has essentially been a shunned phrase because many people wanted to basically sweep it under the carpet rather than face the issue, adapt and help,” said Chandini Sharma, assistant professor of geriatric medicine at the University of Oklahoma’s Tulsa campus. “This trend in care is exactly what we need. I hope it continues in this and other areas around the country.”

Edmond retirement community Touchmark at Coffee Creek is undergoing a $15 million expansion project for memory care patients.

The expansion includes a three-story addition and a one-level memory care neighborhood, which adds 73,000 square feet to the community.

“The building is full, homes are full, and we have inquires for people constantly looking for memory care,” said Marge Coalman, vice president for wellness and programs at Touchmark. “I think people recognize the need for a community care-based environment.”

Coalman said in addition to basic care, the center offers life enrichment and wellness opportunities.

In Tulsa the $8.5 million Cypress Springs Alzheimer’s and Memory Support Residence is set to open this fall.

While Fried said members of his group are thrilled for any more beds added, there is still a need for more.

“When you get to the actual number of Alzheimer’s beds they are really a fairly small number,” he said. “When you think of the number of those with the disease, an extra 20 beds is still a far cry from where we need to be.”

And more help may be on the way.

On April 28, 2008, Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry signed a bill establishing a task force to examine the effects of Alzheimer’s disease and develop a plan for care of Alzheimer’s patients. Since December, the task force has researched the resources available in the state and examined its challenges.

The task force’s recently released final report provided 23 recommendations to improve how Oklahomans are affected by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, said Fried.

The report includes recommendations on how to improve quality of care, the financial impact of the disease and the need to increase public awareness about the disease.

“We want to make sure the Legislature and state agencies see the financial aspect listed in the report,” Fried said. “It’s a huge financial drain on the state.”

People older than 65 with Alzheimer’s can cost Medicaid nine times more per year than those without a form of dementia.

One of the task force recommendations is for the establishment of a statewide information and referral system for Alzheimer’s patients, caregivers and their families to connect with local case management, support services and information.

“This is absolutely invaluable,” said Fried. “This is something that would take investment for the state to make that happen. It would have a tremendous impact.”

William Thies, director of the national Alzheimer’s Association’s Medical and Scientific department, said recent studies suggest Alzheimer’s risk is determined at age 50 rather than age 70.

“There was a very interesting paper that demonstrated that those who ate a Mediterranean diet are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease,” Thies said. “It seems like adjusting your diet and exercise habits can be done anytime in life and you will get benefits.”