The public is invited to the groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the construction of a new Memory Care Home in Viroqua.

The ceremony will be held at 3:30 p.m. Sept. 30 at the west side of Maplewood Terrace at 620 Garfield Ave. with refreshments to follow.

The purpose of the Memory Care Home is to offer a secure homelike setting for people unable to remain safely in their own homes due to Alzheimer’s or other dementia.

Bethel Home and Services CEO Clark Nordberg stated, “It has been heartbreaking to see families in need of this type of care have to take their loved ones out of the community.  We have known for a long time that we needed to offer this type of setting for people with early stage Alzheimer’s or other dementia.  In the past two years our staff and board directors have made a concerted effort to conduct the market study, secure financing and do construction planning.  It’s very exciting to see this project come together to serve families who desperately need this level of care.”

Nordberg continued, “Bethel Home has offered specialized memory care in Eldergarden since 1999.  That will continue for people who need the 24 hour nursing care.  The new Memory Care Home will have round-the-clock staffing to supervise group activities, meals, cleaning, laundry and assist with personal cares. There will be a seamless transition for people from the new Memory Care Home to Eldergarden as individual needs change.”

Construction plans call for 14 private rooms, dining and activity room, living room, den, sunroom, serving kitchen, bathing spa and hair salon, laundry areas, sunroom, four season room and enclosed courtyard.  Planning assistance for the project has been done by Community Living Solutions of Appleton.