Specialized Alzheimer's and dementia patient facilities in the US began to emerge in the late 1970s and early 1980s, with the first modern assisted living facility opening in 1981. Before this, people with dementia were typically placed in general nursing homes, which lacked specialized care. The shift was driven by a growing understanding of the disease and a push for more patient-centered care, leading to the development of dedicated memory care units.
1979-1985: A
shift toward patient-centered care led to the development of the first assisted
living facilities, which began to offer more specialized services.
1981: The
first modern assisted living facility, The Park Place in Portland, Oregon, was
established.
1980s: The
National Institute on Aging (NIA) established the first Alzheimer's Disease
Research Centers (ADRCs) to focus on research and provide resources for
patients and families.
Late
1980s-1990s: More specialized memory care units and communities began to
appear, focusing on creating environments tailored to the needs of people with
Alzheimer's and other dementias.
1994: The prototype for quality care in assisted living facilities became more established, with memory care units growing in popularity.
Dedicated, specialized Alzheimer's disease (AD) patient care facilities and units in the United States began to emerge in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The first known special treatment unit for people with dementia opened in 1974 at the Philadelphia Geriatric Center.
Before this time, individuals with dementia were often housed in state mental hospitals or general nursing homes, which were not equipped to provide specialized care for their unique needs. The shift towards dedicated facilities was motivated by a growing dissatisfaction with traditional nursing homes and a better understanding that dementia was a disease process, not an inevitable part of aging.
Key developments in the establishment of specialized care include:
1974: The Philadelphia Geriatric Center established what is believed to be the first treatment unit in the U.S. specifically designed for individuals with dementia.
Late 1970s - Mid-1980s: A broader "paradigm shift" occurred in senior care, leading to the development of the assisted living industry and new facilities focused on patient-centered care models.
Early
1980s: A few nursing homes started opening distinct "special care
units" (SCUs) for AD residents.
1984: The National Institute on Aging (NIA) established the first Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers (ADRCs) at major medical institutions, which provided an infrastructure for research, diagnosis, and treatment, further increasing awareness and expertise.
1987: An estimated 1,700 U.S. nursing homes (8% of the total) had developed specific units or programs for patients with AD or related dementias, indicating a rapid growth in specialized care options.
1988: The first officially licensed assisted living community to specifically cater to Medicaid patients with dementia-level needs opened in Oregon, a model which emphasized autonomy and individualized care in a home-like setting.
This period marked the beginning of a significant change in how AD patients were cared for, moving from general institutionalization to more specialized, person-centered environments.
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Funding is provided by Medicare.
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