Linden Court
Dementia/Alzheimer’s Care

A Specialized Care Unit for People With Alzheimer's and Related Dementia

In 1991, the administration and staff at Sweet Brook recognized a pressing need for a fundamental shift in the delivery of healthcare to certain individuals. Sweet Brook's innovative plan was to provide residents having various forms of dementia with an environment that would accommodate their changing behaviors. The approach until that time had been to change the behavior of residents, to maintain normal patterns.

Studies suggested that environmental changes could create a far more comfortable and rewarding existence for elderly persons with dementia. Some of those changes included creating a "dedicated" unit in which to accommodate residents; a system of care that takes into account the changes in level of function that occur as the disease progresses.

So, in September 1992, with a commitment of nearly a half-million dollars, Sweet Brook opened Linden Court, a dedicated 80-bed unit for residents with Alzheimer's Disease and related memory disorders.

Here's what Linden Court offers:

• A sophisticated and detailed screening process to insure that the prospective resident will benefit from Linden Court's unique program. This process assists caregivers in determining if their decisions will benefit both resident and family. The staff at Linden Court recognizes the importance of the decision and insures every question is fully addressed before commitments are made.
• Linden Court is a separate and secure wing of Sweet Brook. Residents freely move about and explore all areas of the unit, but a passive security system prevents them from wandering outside.
• Therapeutic activities are conducted every day of the year. This resident-centered program provides every resident with "failure-free" activities.
• Linden Court is an independent, fully functioning unit. Within the facility are spaces for activities, dining, and private and semi-private resident rooms. Nursing stations are located to insure line-of-site observation of the entire unit.
• Along with the many special activity programs, residents are offered consultations with a full-time Social Worker, Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Speech Therapist and Dietician. A geriatric psychiatrist and therapist team are also available on site.
• Restraints, both physical and chemical, are avoided whenever possible because Sweet Brook has always maintained that behaviors are better managed through a properly designed environment, incorporating "dignity, privacy, and love."
• Effective programs to assist the families of residents have been continuing since Linden Court first opened. These methods continue to be refined. Professional counseling and group discussions are offered on a continuing basis.
• All administrators and staff at Linden Court participate regularly in education sessions to assist them in providing optimal care to Linden Court residents. These special classes also provide staff with an opportunity for sharing positive experiences in resident care. Support groups are available for staff and families.