Avandell
We’d like to share the most important and impactful development in memory care in the past 30 years that has the potential to change the care paradigm for the next generation of people living with dementia their loved ones.
Welcome to Avandell, the next generation of living and care for those with dementia. The vision is a holistic approach focusing on whole person well-being. UMC believes that this new model is a crucial step forward in bringing abundant life to those living with dementia through supportive caregiving, enriching life holistically, engaging individually, respecting the individual, maximizing the quality of life, utilizing technology, assisting with diagnosis, assessing for support needs, connecting with the community, and providing supportive housing. Central to our philosophy is the belief that individuals continue to grow and learn throughout life and are entitled to feel productive and meaningful. The environment will be protective but open and available, so that “normal” patterns of daily life are incited and supported. Technology will play a key role in safety as well as in engagement.
Three definitive programs will serve people with dementia, family. caregivers, educators, students, staff, industry experts, and the community at large; The Village, the Neurocognitive Clinic, and the Resource Hub. Though each has a distinct service of its own, the combination, under the umbrella of Avandell, provides a rich environment and an encouraging ministry. Avandell promotes dignity, quality of life, and most importantly, normalcy of life. We seek to be a change agent in bringing understanding, education, and support to the management of neurocognitive disease.
The Village, serving 105 residents, promotes dignity, normalcy, and quality of life. It is designed for those who can no longer live at home and provides a full community with life’s normal rhythms. The anchor is the town center, which includes the grocery store, bistro, and multipurpose space as well as the Clinic and Resource Hub. Central within the village is the community pavilion, which includes spaces for the salon/spa, health club, and club rooms for art, music, and social engagement. The pavilion is surrounded by green space, gardens, sensory paths, and more. Surrounding the village green are fifteen houses providing a home for seven residents each. The model elevates normalcy for residents through living their daily lives within a family-sized environment. Each house provides communal space with a living room, dining room, den, porch, laundry, and kitchen with each resident having a private bedroom and bathroom with a shower. Each household is autonomous but grouped into neighborhoods of 3 or 4 houses.
The Neurocognitive Clinic will be led by a team of professionals which includes neurology, psychiatry, nursing, and social work. Their collective endeavors will support the clinic’s main purpose of assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up. Multiple levels of assessment will be provided both in-house as well as through technology. A university affiliation will bolster the clinic and become a source of innovation of care practices.
The Resource Hub will be an environment where people can receive encouragement, support, engagement, knowledge, skills, and resources. Its overall purpose is to provide assessment, education, and support for those living at home with dementia and be the expert resource for clients, families, caregivers, and professionals. Avandell can support individuals and families at any stage of dementia regardless of where they live. The Hub itself will offer amenities that encourage social engagement. These include physical spaces such as a bistro, grocery store, technology lab, and a multi-function room for large gatherings. Additionally, the Resource Hub will provide services that include case management services, coaching services, support groups, educational classes, social engagement clubs, and technology learning opportunities and will be a resource for best practices in caregiving – such as smart technology opportunities and a known spot for caregiver support and education.
