New memory care unit opens at Whitman Health and Rehabilitation

On Friday, Dec. 6, Whitman Health and Rehabilitation Center hosted the grand opening for its new memory care unit.

The unit is designed specifically for those with Alzheimer’s and dementia-related conditions.

The space for this new unit was once previously used for physical therapy and managerial offices. Along with changing the space, the floors were redone from carpet to laminate wood and tile as well as walls being repainted.

“Through people's visions and imagination we've been able to bring this to life through a truly amazing team,” said Devon Alexander, Whitman Health and Rehabilitation Center executive director.

Alexander said all the repainting was done by members of a WSU fraternity.

“The community is here,” Alexander said. “This is all here because, not only of the team that we put together, but because the community stepped up and helped us out too.”

The unit holds 16 beds with semi-private rooms. Alexander said that while Dec. 6 was the grand opening, they have been accommodating residents for the past couple of weeks with half of the beds already in use.

Alexander mentioned how important it is for Whitman Health and Rehabilitation to have a culture of caring in their staff from day one.

“The majority of our certified nurse assistants have been trained in house,” Alexander said. “We have our own CNA instructor.”

He added that all the CNAs that work in the memory care unit have the desire to work in this area.

“We also have some staff here that are learning how to play the piano just for the residents; also baking bread in the afternoons so the residents have a snack at night,” Alexander said.

“It is cool to see the talents that pop up in our staff that have been here a while. We will always have two CNAs back here at all times so all the residents' needs are met.”

It was noted that those with the beginning signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s can be moved into the regular facility, and as their memory care needs progress they can be moved into the new unit.

“Instead of moving them to a whole other community or facility where they have to re-acclimate and possibly decline, they can now just move to a new hall, which is less stressful for them,” Alexander said. “It's great to see how people are blooming in this facility.”

The Whitman Health and Rehabilitation Center also provides a courtyard area for residents to be able to go outside whenever they please.

In regards to the courtyard, Alexander said as the seasons evolve the courtyard space will as well. They plan to have planters and edible gardens out in the courtyard.

Different from other memory care units, Whitman Health and Rehabilitation is one of the few facilities that can accommodate those with Medicaid.

“Being able to be here for a lot of families that don't have much, but have the needs, we can do that,” Alexander said. “We like to think that we can do it all now from skilled therapy, long-term nursing and now memory care needs we can be able to meet what the vulnerable adults need in the community.”