Providence Care opening dementia center in Beaver Falls

Providence Care Center in Beaver Falls, Beaver County, is opening an area for patients with Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia.

The third floor of the 180-bed skilled nursing facility was revamped into 10 private rooms and 18 semiprivate rooms.

A opening reception at the new Center for the Memory Impaired is scheduled for 4 to 6 p.m. Nov. 11.

Providence administrator Raymond DeMarco said the memory unit will be locked to protect residents, some of whom tend to wander off. A nurses station is across the hall from the resident lounge. Both rooms have glass windows to enhance the staff's ability to oversee residents.

DeMarco said the renovation work for the center cost more than $500,000.

Providence said all employees at the Center for the Memory Impaired -- from nurses to dietary aides to maintenance staff -- have received specialized training through the Alzheimer's Association.

The center also will take steps to reduce excessive stimuli such as noise and glare, using soft colors, plain wall coverings and nonglare flooring.

The reception will feature tours of the new facility and opportunities to speak with administrators and medical professionals.

Providence Care Center is owned and operated by O'Hara based Grane Healthcare.

Grane officials said market studies indicated Beaver County did not have enough facilities offering care for memory-impaired patients.