Assisted living complex taking shape in Carson City

The list of amenities and services that will be available at The Lodge might sound to some like those of a resort hotel " spa with whirlpool bath, fitness center, salon/barber shop, library and media room.

But The Lodge, on East Long Street directly east of Carson Plaza Retirement, will be an assisted living residence with a memory care community totaling about 78,000 square feet. The facility, which will have 61 assisted living apartments and 22 memory care units, will fill a need in Carson City.

"When we were looking to work on a development project, we did market studies and paid attention to the locals and asking if there is a need," said Amira Fahoum, marketing director for Ridgeline Management of Eugene, Ore. "We wanted to build newer communities and implement new programming. The Carson City market dictated it would be a great place and the need was there."

Angie Pratt, director of The Alzheimer's Association of Northern Nevada, said a study concluded just a few years ago showed there are 29,000 families dealing with Alzheimer's in Nevada. Up to 10,000 of those families are in Northern Nevada.

"Of course our hope is they remain in their home as long as possible," Pratt said. "If not, these facilities are needed."

The Lodge is owned by Ridgeline Management, which also owns Mountain Springs Assisted Living on North Mountain Street. They have properties in 10 states, mostly in the West, with sites in Indiana and Wisconsin. Living fees are based on an individual's needs.

"Part of why, as a company, at least one wing of each building is memory care, is we find as one gets older it gets harder and harder to move," Fahoum said. "Having the memory care wing next door, the resident already knows the people, the community and have a feel for the services they're going to get."

Fahoum said typically, depending on state requirements, there is one staff per eight residents.

"It varies depending on the level of services needed by residents," she said. "If the residents have a higher need of services, we will increase the staff. But not go lower than what is required."

She said they emphasize a "wholistic" approach to care.

"With live plants, animals (like fish tanks), intergenerational contact, and also a best friends approach. For those who have dementia that they have someone to talk to. We put a lot into our memory care."

Dining areas will be on the third floor, which offers the best view of the Sierras. There will also be private family dining and outdoor patio dining.

"It's pretty big and spacious," said Fahoum. "There are nine separate social areas. One of our signature things is a reflections/quiet room, so the resident can be alone with their thoughts or sit with somebody else."

The Lodge will have security doors in the memory care community with a 15-second delay before opening, so a staff member can respond before a resident exits.

"About 60 percent of Alzheimer's patients will begin to wander," said Pratt.

Contact Rhonda Costa at rcosta@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.

WHAT: The Lodge, assisted living residence with memory care community

WHERE: 2200 E. Long St., Carson City

WHEN: Summer 2009

CONTACT: Applications for residency are being accepted by The Lodge and can be requested through e-mail " amira@ridgelinemc.com or at info@ridgelinemc.com, or by calling 283-9888.