DUBLIN, OH - Sunrise Senior Living’s newest community, Sunrise of Dublin, will begin accepting its first residents in August. Located in the Columbus area, Sunrise of Dublin joins 11 other Sunrise communities throughout the state and will be the first senior living community in Ohio to offer a specially designed memory care program and dedicated neighborhood for younger residents with Alzheimer’s, dementia and other forms of memory loss. In addition, the new 66,000-square-foot community will provide Sunrise’s industry-leading assisted living and memory care services, as well as short-term stays and hospice care coordination for seniors and their families.
“Sunrise has been providing high-quality, individualized care for more than 30 years. We are proud to extend this experience to the Dublin community and now also support residents and families who are coping with the impact of younger-onset memory loss. With this new location, we look forward to becoming a trusted resource for the area and helping families stay close to their loved ones,” said Sarah Burress, executive director for Sunrise of Dublin.
When memory loss occurs before someone reaches age 65, experts refer to it as younger-onset, and many are affected in their 40s and 50s. The Alzheimer’s Association estimates of the 5.3 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s, up to five percent of those individuals have younger-onset Alzheimer’s disease. This results in a growing need for long-term care options for younger Americans with memory loss. In Ohio, the Alzheimer’s Association projects the number of state residents aged 65 and older with Alzheimer’s will increase 19 percent over the next 10 years.
Led by a highly qualified support team, Sunrise of Dublin’s exclusive younger-onset memory care neighborhood will provide age-appropriate programming and activities. Sunrise’s Younger-Onset Memory Care has been developed by leveraging evidence-based research. The formal program focuses on providing a holistic and person-centered approach to enrich each resident’s mind, body and spirit through art, family involvement, music, physical activities, integrated support groups and more. Design features include a café for socially engaging programs, long counter in the bistro area to encourage social conversations, smart TV, interchangeable art and door elements for wayfinding.
“Sunrise communities are currently serving thousands of residents. Sunrise’s Younger-Onset Memory Care in Dublin is being offered to meet the unique needs and life experiences of those who have memory loss at a much younger age. Our goal is to help bring peace of mind and support to residents and their families through compassionate, research-based care – this includes fostering an environment where one feels comfortable, secure and engaged in meaningful daily activities that enhance his or her sense of identity,” said Rita Altman, senior vice president of Memory Care and Program Services for Sunrise. “It’s important for families to educate themselves on the warning signs, and for those who have been diagnosed to know there are resources available and an opportunity to continue living a life full of dignity and purpose,” added Altman.
The approximately 80-unit building, with a resident capacity of 95, will allow for flexible and adaptable spaces to support Sunrise’s range of resident-tailored programming and activities. In keeping with Sunrise’s mission to champion quality of life for all seniors as well as to involve members of the local community, Sunrise of Dublin will host support groups for families, resident outings and intergenerational activities. In addition, Sunrise plans to work with local businesses, including a nearby art gallery whose staff will assist with activities for memory care residents. Dublin citizens are also invited to participate in volunteer opportunities at the new senior living community.
Expected to create about 80 new local jobs, the three-story community located at 4175 Stoneridge Lane is convenient to numerous health care facilities, restaurants, shopping and entertainment. Sunrise of Dublin is less than a 30-minute drive from the nearest airport or train station and 15 minutes from the state’s major university. Additional features include Wi-Fi connectivity throughout the building; an electronic health record system, Sunrise CareConnect, which is designed to support Sunrise’s individualized approach to care; a Signature Dining program, with nutritious meals prepared by the Sunrise team of culinary professionals, using fresh, seasonal ingredients; senior-friendly interior design elements to support continued independence; and community pets as part of the Sunrise Signature Experience.
“From day one, providing the highest quality of care is Sunrise’s top priority,” said Chris Winkle, chief executive officer for Sunrise. “We will continue to innovate and strive for excellence to enrich the lives of our residents, and look forward to bringing the Sunrise Signature Experience to more families.”