BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) — The Alzheimer's Center at Florida Atlantic University is the first in the State of Florida to receive a major and important designation.
From FAU:
Florida Atlantic University’s Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center of the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing has been named a “Specialized Alzheimer’s Services Center” by Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration’s Division of Health Quality Assurance. The dementia-specific adult day center is the first to receive the designation.
Florida’s “Specialized Alzheimer’s Services Adult Day Care Act” went into effect on July 1, 2012 and requires stricter standards for an adult day care seeking specialized licensure. Among other criteria, organizations seeking the designation must demonstrate that each participant has a dementia diagnosis from a physician, physician’s assistant, or advanced registered nurse practitioner and an individualized plan of care; that nursing care be available on-site during operating hours; and that staff members meet education and experience requirements. There must be a staff-to-participant ratio of one to five; a daily schedule filled with at least 70 percent therapeutic activities; and a caregiver education program.
“In many cases, we already met or exceeded the criteria for this new type of license,” said Barbara Curtis, Memory and Wellness Center day center manager. “From the journalist who volunteers his time to discuss current events each week to the artist who leads participants through painting class, the level of involvement from volunteers, service providers and staff are what make the day center unique. We work together to help make each participant’s day their best day.”
Located on FAU’s Boca Raton campus, the Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center offers a wide range of services and programs to individuals with mild to moderate memory disorders. The adult day center provides an active and secure place for families to bring spouses or parents who are experiencing memory loss, and the caregiver support programs have a positive impact on life at home.
“This designation validates the quality of the programs and services we have been offering since 2001,” said Kathleen Valentine, R.N., Ph.D., director of the Memory and Wellness Center. “Caregivers find support and respite here, and families take comfort in knowing that their loved ones spend their days with us in a stimulating, secure and loving environment. We care for each participant as if they are our family.”
College of Nursing faculty conduct research projects at the Memory and Wellness Center, including caregiver communication, the effects of chronic disease on memory loss, and more. Students from FAU’s College of Nursing, Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine, the School of Social Work, the Department of Exercise Science and Health Promotion, the Department of Communications Sciences and Disorders, and others complete work-study assignments and internships at the Center throughout each semester.
“We are so proud of the excellent work being done at the Memory and Wellness Center on a daily basis,” said Marlaine C. Smith, R.N., Ph.D., F.A.A.N., Helen K. Persson Eminent Scholar and dean of the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing. “Being on a college campus enables a unique atmosphere where participants and caregivers, faculty, students and staff become part of a vibrant learning laboratory that reflects the College’s unique philosophy of caring.”
For more information about the Louis and Anne Green Memory and Wellness Center, contact 561-297-0502 or visit http://www.fau.edu/memorywellnesscenter.
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