ManorCare Health Services–Platteville has opened its dementia unit for admissions.

This 22-bed secured unit is specifically designed to meet the growing demand for quality, skilled care for people living with memory loss from Alzheimer’s Disease or a related dementia.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 1,600 people living in Grant County hold a diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease.

“We are really excited to reopen the doors of our Memory Care unit,” says Ryan Locy, administrator for ManorCare Health Services–Platteville. “This is a portion of the senior population that is growing and has specific needs that require in some cases a secured unit to allow them to be safe while living at their highest functioning level.”

“We’ve made it a priority to aid our dementia patients by focusing on what they can do rather than what they can’t,” said Emily Updike, director of nursing services. “This gives them a sense of independence that is important to everyone.”

Staff working with these residents received training through the Alzheimer’s Alliance of Wisconsin ‘Dementia Specialist Training’ program.