Life
Facility designed for dementia patients looks like a 1940s neighborhood
The "neighborhood" is a comforting sight to those with dementia.
Jessica
09.10.21

The Lantern of Chagrin Valley is one special nursing home.

Located in Chagrin Falls, Ohio it’s one of only a handful of facilities designed specifically for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. And it aims to give them a place that looks familiar.

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Facebook - Lantern of Chagrin Valley

Designed to look like small houses with porches leading out to a golf course, the living facility feels like a community in the 1940s.

With incredible attention to detail, including paint schemes reminiscent of the time period, Lantern is an incredibly unique living facility.

We have to admit, it’s pretty darn cute!

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Facebook - The Lantern of Chagrin Valley

Using special fiber optics in the ceiling, the facility can even create daylight and a starry sky atmosphere within the building.

The floors of the facility are painted green to represent the grass, and an array of sound effects such as bird chirps are played throughout.

“Every little thing you see, the wall color, the paint, actually has a therapeutic benefit, a therapeutic value,” CEO Jean Makesh told the News-Herald.

It’s rare to find such a well-thought-out space.

Posted by Lantern Of Chagrin Valley onTuesday, June 17, 2014

As a trained occupational therapist, Makesh has created the perfect environment for these special patients.

After learning how controlled environments can lead to the reduction of symptoms involved in anxiety, anger, and depression, he decided to create a facility that incorporated these ideas.

And in the process, he built a constructive living experience for dementia patients. One that allows them to live with dignity.

What a marvelous idea!

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Facebook - Lantern of Chagrin Valley

Moreover, Lantern provides residents with an assortment of daily classes to help them re-learn and retain basic skills and functions.

According to the facility’s mission statement:

“We believe in creating a world where memories are treasured, relationships are cherished and our elderly revered. Our deep-seated conviction is innovation and challenging the status quo. We challenge the status quo by creating a therapeutic care environment that not only nurtures an absolute well-being but also stimulates lost memories.”

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Facebook - Lantern of Chagrin Valley

“I take them back to those memories. I create a time capsule. It enables them to embrace everything around them,” Makesh told reporters.

Makesh hopes that his contributions in rehabilitation for these patients afflicted with Alzheimer’s and dementia will produce a large amount of positive change.

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Facebook - Lantern of Chagrin Valley

Using this controlled setting, Makesh believes he will be able to slow the progression of similar diseases on a long-term scale.

Perhaps someday, Alzheimer’s will be easier to treat. And at the very least, these residents get to have a happy and supportive environment that also encourages family interaction.

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Facebook - Lantern of Chagrin Valley

With this incredible facility that recreates the feel and experiences these special patients may have once lived, Makesh is bringing new hope to this challenging disease.

It sure does look like a joyful place.

Just check it out all decked out for the winter holidays!

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Facebook - Lantern of Chagrin Valley

We’d say they’re certainly off to a good start by creating such a special environment.

Be sure to scroll down below to get a better glimpse of The Lantern.

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

Source: Country Living, Facebook – Lantern of Chagrin Valley, News-Herald, The Lantern

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