Quitman is planning to build a Memory Health Life Center, or “Alzheimer’s Village.”

Dementia is often a diagnosis that the Hopeful Aging and I’m Still Here Foundation says results in isolation and a loss of community; however, the foundation says that the cognitive decline may be, to some degree, simply misunderstood. According to the foundation, there are 460,000 people living with dementia in Texas. Many of these, says the foundation, are put into care environments that may not know or be able to provide exactly what is needed.

However, according to the foundation, there may be a better solution – one that helps diagnosed individuals, their families, and the community all to grow and prosper.

This solution is the Memory Health Life Center, which has been in talks in Quitman for five years. 

According to a handout written by John Zeisel, Sharon Johnson, and Marc Maxwell of the foundation, and handed out at the March 25 Wood County Economic Development Commission meeting, the concept for the memory center is not for a “facility” but rather for a “village.”

“Rather than a single building – whether Assisted Living or Nursing Home – with a little garden space for residents to walk around, a Dementia Village is a larger site with trees and grass and other natural features like a small lake and possible farm animals, with small group homes where residents live and ‘family-style’ services are provided,” write the trio. “A fundamental enhancement Dementia Villages make to the lives of residents and others who spend much of the day in that setting is a sense of community – a sense of being part of the greater whole rather than being isolated in a ‘special building’ apart from others.”

The village idea is based on several psychological, scientific, and societal studies, as well as working models based in Europe. Through intentionally non-pharmacological approaches such as “communication, supportive environments, meaningful engagement, dignity and humanity,” the village is intended to make residents feel as normal, comfortable, and safe as possible. When these needs are met, say the handout, patients are much less confused and forgetful.

The village, if built, is currently projected to have space for 54 residents – each of which will have their own “apartment home with an open floor plan and large windows.” Concept plans say that the space will also have a café or small restaurant, a planned open area for celebrations/outdoor events, a media center/library, a small grocery shop to serve as an addition to the daily meals from the Village Kitchen, a barn and riding track, a garden/greenhouse, and more.

In addition to its sense of community and comfort, the village is also intended to serve as a cutting-edge medical learning center, where professionals, families and community members can come and learn hands-on experience about what living with cognitive decline is like, and how to treat it. According to the handout, the center is intended to serve as a “healthcare hub,” where interested parties, including students from local healthcare institutions, can be equipped with the real-life, hands-on, observation-based “skills, confidence, and understanding needed to provide best-practice support to people living with dementia.” Some healthcare providers and caretakers may even be able to become certified in dementia-specific caretaking.

The initiative is intended to create many new jobs and act as a hub of economic activity for the region as well. 

“What’s going to do is that’s going to bring healthcare providers, nurses, caregivers, educators, social workers, case managers, caregivers, (and) students from all over the place into this county,” said WCEDC President Tom Keenan. “With that, we’re going to need housing, hotels, restaurants… the dementia village is a transformational economic development project.” 

According to board members of the Wood County Economic Development Commission, the Wood County Central Hospital District has donated 29 acres near the hospital for the project. At first estimate, the center would cost nearly $60 million to build; fundraising was begun with a $6 million grant from the federal government. Quitman was originally required to receive a match for the money, which was pursued in the form of a state match; however, the request received no full attention during two separate state legislative sessions, despite repeated discussions. However, the requirement for a match has recently been removed, paving the way for the city to once again begin the ball rolling.

The board is waiting on a meeting with the architect for an architectural design. They also need donations and grants to continue.

WCEDC members said that the implementation of this revolutionary idea would serve to spotlight the community far beyond its bounds.

“This is going to be a hub for all of East Texas,” said WCEDC Executive Director Christine Thomas. “It’s going to be great for us because it’s in Wood County, but it has potential to really put Texas on the map internationally because it is very unique.”

“This may be the biggest thing that’s happened in Wood County in forever,” said Keenan.

Other endorsements for the project reach into high places, including those from Quitman Mayor Randy Dunn, who is one of the original people behind the idea; United States Congressman District 5 Lance Gooden; Texas Representative District 5 Cole Hefner; Texas Senator District 1 Bryan Hughes; Chairman of the UT System Board of Regents Kevin P. Eltife, and more.

More information is becoming available about the Memory Health Life Center as plans continue to unfold and money continues to be raised. To donate to this project, visit the Wood County Health Care Foundation website at www.wchcf.org