The Kenney Continuing Care Retirement Community in West Seattle at 7125 Fauntleroy Way s.w. opened their new Memory Care Community on Thursday Jan. 26 with an open house. They offered tours, providing a look at how they've prepared the new facility and tailored it specifically for the needs of those with dementia.

This new wing of The Kenney has been painted in soft, welcoming colors, to create a much more home like atmosphere. The primary hallway is a pastel green, and is equipped with handrails. Above each doorway are stained glass sconces that provide a decorative cover for assistance lights. Along the walls are nostalgic black and white photographs.

Karlene Colletti, Director of Memory Care said, “When you are dealing with dementia, natural lighting and natural colors are an important part of the experience. Because this was a dark hallway with really only one window (a former door is now two large windows) I wanted to bring in as much light as possible." That window will soon have a vignette painted by Jayne Monk (who is also Director of Nursing Services at The Kenney) to add another decorative element.

One resident arriving next week has had her family come and stage the room with familiar photos and a favorite chair and blanket. "We really encourage them to have things that are personal to make them comfortable," said Colletti, "It helps with recognition of space and helps them feel right."

The Memory Care Community offers 15 beds in both private and shared apartments, an outdoor garden, a large dining and activity room which is painted in warm orange tones. It provides family style dining. The dinner ware is Fiestaware, chosen for its color, and especially familiarity. The unit offers a private shower room and a family room. The details of the community were completed keeping in mind the ability of residents with dementia who will use this space day in and day out. As it opens the Memory Care Community is already nearly completely committed.

“The wide hallways make it safe and easy for ambulation, and the garden area will allow for safe strolls, gardening and general enjoyment of the outdoors.” That garden area was made possible by a donation from a Kenney resident, Nancy Mason.

Outside each door will soon be Memory Boxes, explained R. Kevin McFeely, President and CEO. These will contain objects important and familiar to the residents.

Mcfeely explained the reason behind building a community of this type.

"When you look at what Samuel and Jesse Kenney stated as the reason for The Kenney it was to provide a haven for people in their senior years. For a hundred years we've been doing that. We allow people the opportunity to live here independently, but be a part of the network and socialization that goes on, without having the worries of home maintenance. We met peoples needs through our assisted living program and those folks who needed skilled nursing but the one area that we recognized was people with dementia. We did not have that capability, and that population is growing by leaps and bounds."

Mcfeely explained that the reasons for this are not known but as people live longer and as the population of elderly grows the incidence of dementia has risen.

"This community is really another alternative for people afflicted with dementia. They are hard to take care of and you want to have them in an area where their needs are met. We call it a protective unit but we still want them to feel as if they have freedom, which is why we have the courtyard area. We have programs and services for people with dementia. Because their attention span is very short, part of the specialized training for our staff is so they understand that activity programs may be very short, 15 minutes or less. We will do outings, short trips in a protected way."

The Kenney uses a collaborative approach to maximize the quality of life for each resident. The programming allows the caregivers to provide uniquely designed care for each resident. Small group activities, nutritious meals and special reminiscing programs will activate the senses and encourage normalcy.
Residents will be able to participate in baking, folding laundry (as a repetitive motion therapy), and sensory therapy with lavender scented washcloths. The scent stimulates cognitive ability.

“We will work with residents and their families to obtain a portrait of the resident; past present and future," said Colletti. “A main approach in this is using validation therapy, working with the individuals needs here and now. As the care requirements of an individual with Alzheimer’s or dementia can change day to day, our program will be established to meet those needs in the best way possible.”

The Memory Care Community will be staffed 24-hours a day by certified nursing assistants with specialized dementia training, hand picked for their ability to understand and work with people with memory issues. While they are fully staffed for now, they are accepting resumes from those with the necessary qualifications.

The Kenney is West Seattle’s only continuing care retirement community. In 1909 The Kenney opened its doors for senior housing and now offers independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing and memory care on campus. Visit www.thekenney.org or call 206-937-2800 for more information.