Spectrum Retirement Opens Groundbreaking Residence Club in Overland Park

    DENVER, CO, May 06, 2013 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Spectrum Retirement Communities, national owner/operator of senior living communities that deliver luxury at an affordable price, now offers one of its first transitional memory care programs in the U.S. on the campus of its Park Meadows Senior Living community, located in Overland Park at 5901 W. 107th St.

The company, which has been developing and managing senior living communities for 10 years, recognized a growing need for a new environment - one that supported seniors with mild cognitive impairment, while still offering a high level of independence. In early 2012, it started a pilot program in its Westlake and Palos Verdes communities, in Ohio and Arizona respectively, and officially launched the program as The Residence Club in August 2012.

Spectrum added the program at Park Meadows in March 2013.

"Studies have shown that with advancing age, cognitive impairment may follow. Yet individuals experiencing these symptoms can continue to live with spouses and/or in their own living space with a little extra support," said Spectrum Retirement Vice President of Resident Care Carole Hull. "We are a resident-centered company, and strive to offer the support and care that helps our residents thrive."

Spectrum's Park Meadows community offers a full continuum of care, including Independent Living and Assisted Living and a comprehensive Memory Care program that caters to the needs of individuals with Alzheimer's disease or dementia. The Residence Club is a bridge program, available to those living in assisted living that need additional support.

Through the program, residents can continue to live in an assisted living apartment, but are assigned a dedicated Life Enrichment Specialist -- a compassionate aide specially trained to manage mild cognitive impairment -- to assist them in overcoming some of the hurdles that accompany short-term memory loss. With the support of the Life Enrichment Specialist, many residents continue to participate in the full range of activities offered through Spectrum's programs.

Local resident Judy Greer's two parents currently live at Park Meadows. Her mother is a member of The Residence Club. "This is a wonderful part of helping my mother to socialize, stay active and be as mentally sharp as possible, while also allowing her to continue to live in her apartment with my father," Greer said.

As the population of individuals 60 years and older continues to rise, the prevalence of mild cognitive impairment will also grow, as it is positively related to advancing age, according to a study by the University of Victoria. Spectrum hopes to expand The Residence Club to other communities, given its success in Overland Park.

Denver-based Spectrum Retirement Communities is considered a leader and innovator in senior living. The privately held company is one of the largest owner/operator of senior communities, with 28 senior living facilities in 11 from New York to Washington, including two in the Kansas City area. Spectrum employs a staff of more than 1,400 and owns and manages more than 2,700 apartments. For more information visit www.spectrumretirement.com.

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