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  • PATTY MILLER | THE EDMOND SUN Touchmark resident Mike Crawley and his daughter, Edmond resident Laura Castleberry attend the Open House for Prairieview at Touchmark of Coffee Creek as they celebrate the completion of the Prairieview Memory Care Residences. Castleberry holds a photo of her mother, Carolyn, has age-related dementia and will be moving into one of the memory care neighborhoods in the next two weeks.

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April 9, 2010

Touchmark holds open house for memory care residences

Patty Miller The Edmond Sun

EDMOND — Touchmark at Coffee Creek held an Open House Thursday to celebrate the completion of the Prairieview Memory Care Residences.

“The one-level memory-care is the first half of a $15 million expansion project which also includes a three-story addition,” said Jamie Ham, executive director of Touchmark. “The total project when finished will be adding 73,000 square feet to the community that offers distinctive living for residents with dementia and Alzheimer’s.”

The expansion’s memory-care addition features a 37,908-square-foot building which includes 50 private studios with full bathrooms. The design includes the latest research for people experiencing memory loss from colored rimmed plates to the lighting used.

Bold colors and decor create four distinct neighborhoods as well as secure surroundings for the residents. Each neighborhood faces a common area and each has its own kitchen and dining area, living room and a secure outdoor courtyard where residents will be able to work in gardens.

All four neighborhoods will share spa baths, a beauty salon/barber shop, multipurpose room, family conference room and doctor’s office.

On hand to launch the new memory care unit were Marge Coleman, vice president, Touchmark Wellness & Programs; David Troxel, known as the father of the Best Friends Approach to Alzheimer’s; and Edmond resident Laura Castleberry, whose father, Mike Crawley, is a resident at Touchmark, and whose mother, Carolyn, has age-related dementia and will be moving to Prairieview in two weeks.

Coleman explained Touchmark’s person-centered care and shared the hope springing from current research.

Half of the research is being done looking for a vaccine for dementia, while the other half is working on medication to postpone the onset of dementia, Coleman said.

“We feel within 10 years there will be a vaccine for children,” she said. “Everywhere in the world scientists are working and sharing their findings for a cure for dementia.”

Troxel’s advice to guests who have family members or friends with dementia was, “Create the best day you can.”

He said to compliment them, take them outside and ask their opinion, but be ready for an honest answer.

As a caregiver Troxel added, be educated, be a best friend, be accepting, keep busy with activities, re-think your approach when visiting with someone with dementia, and above all, have a sense of humor.

When entering a room Troxel said to use the Best Friends approach.

“Be sensitive to the mood of the room, smile, laugh, have a sense of joy and an attitude that makes the person with dementia feel safe, secure and valued.”

Touchmark bases its person-centered care program on Troxel’s Best Friends approach, which he co-developed with Virginia Bell in the 1990s. The Best Friends approach focuses on the fact that what people with dementia need most is a “best friend.”

Troxel teaches caregivers how to have the “knack,” which is “the art of doing difficult things with ease.”

Castleberry shared personal insights of her family’s journey with her mother’s dementia.

“It’s an interesting journey to watch someone you love with Alzheimer’s,” Castleberry said. “Dementia takes away a person’s dignity. Knowing Mom will be treated with respect and that she will be cared for makes me happy.”

An internationally known author and speaker, Troxel has co-authored four books that have influenced how care is provided to people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or age-related dementia illnesses.

Coalman was appointed to the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) in 2009. ICAA Advisory Board members will participate in ICAA 2020, an initiative set up to create a vision for the future of the active-aging industry.

In her role at Touchmark, Coalman is responsible for developing and implementing programs that enrich people’s lives through individualized physical, intellectual and spiritual activities. Additionally, she provides support and oversight for Touchmark’s assisted living and memory care programs and health and fitness clubs.

In March, she attended the Alzheimer’s Action Summit in Washington, DC, the fifth time she has participated in this public policy forum.



pmiller@edmondsun.com | 341-2121, ext. 171

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