Different From the Rest
Unique to the Houston area, the Garden Terrace Alzheimer's Center of Excellence, is one of only a few centers of its kind in the country. Garden Terrace is exclusively designed and staffed to accommodate the special needs of individuals suffering from Alzheimer's disease and other neurological disorders. Because of the difficulties associated with Alzheimer's disease, Garden Terrace strives to improve the quality of life of the residents it serves and the family members who love them.

Recreational and Social Activities
The philosophy of the facility is to assist each resident to maintain an optimal level of self-care and independence. Activities, which take place throughout the day and into the early evening, provide sensory stimulation. The activity program consists of structured and therapeutic activities based on the needs, abilities, and the various levels of functioning of each resident. Activities include outings, parties, movies, exercises, religious programs, and arts and crafts, as well as small group and individual activities. All staff receive on-going training on the latest treatment and methods of caring for Alzheimer's residents as well as the importance of the staff's interaction with residents to reinforce their socialization and reduce depression which can result from fears of isolation.

Social Services
A licensed social services professional works closely with the resident, the resident's family and a health care team in assessing the resident's needs. The social worker is also responsible for establishing and maintaining active support groups to assist the resident's family and coordinating a staff support group. Specially-trained and certified staff professionals work in an interdisciplinary fashion to provide nursing care and therapeutic activities that work to best meet the needs of the Alzheimer's residents.

Research
Extensive research has allowed Life Care to provide an environment where the resident can receive the highest level of care in a homelike setting. Because of its uniqueness and scope of its mission, Garden Terrace is an excellent source of information regarding Alzheimer's disease. By observing our staff, residents and environment, researchers from area academic institutions and medical communities are able to study many aspects of the disease. Since January of 1998, Garden Terrace has been funding a Baylor College of Medicine Fellow to conduct specific Alzheimer's research with residents and their environment at the facility. Anyone interested in making a donation to further this research effort may contact the Executive Director for more information.

Environment
While other facilities are physically unable to provide an environment that promotes a higher quality of life, the environmental design of Garden Terrace Alzheimer's Center of Excellence includes secure exterior doorways, increased space for activities both inside and outside the facility, five courtyards and small, independent wings which help to promote maximum resident freedom with groupings according to behaviors that often times occur at different stages of the disease. The decor and layout of the entire facility has been designed to calm and soothe the Alzheimer's resident.

Special attention to color lighting, wallpaper design, furnishings and other features help alleviate frustration and confusion for the dementia resident. Memory orientation, such as signage and cue boxes enhance the resident's sense of time and location.

Care Levels
Because of space limitations, most other facilities are limited to grouping all Alzheimer's residents together regardless of their behaviors or the stage of the disease. This in turn significantly compromises the resident's quality of life and perhaps more importantly causes increased confusion and agitation for even those residents who are more highly cognitive.

Before a person is accepted as a resident of Garden Terrace, an evaluation is conducted by the director of nursing services, admissions director and the social services director to determine appropriate placement. Based on the results of the prescreening evaluation, the resident is placed in the setting that best meets his or her needs. The five units are provided to accommodate residents according to the stages of the disease and to allow staff to manage the behaviors manifested in each stage. Garden Terrace is staffed and equipped to provide the full continuum of services, including intermediate and skilled care through end of life.

Family Involvement
Resident's family members play an important role in providing the best possible quality of life for their loved one. Family members are therefore encouraged to visit frequently, and whenever they desire, take part in activities, and help develop the resident's plan of care. In most cases, family members can provide valuable guidance concerning the resident's abilities, preferences, daily routines, and specific needs.

7887 Cambridge Street
Houston, Texas 77054
(713) 796-2777
gardenterraceh@aol.com