Kennewick’s newest

residential memory care facility had plans to open this month but the state

agency in charge of licensing assisting living facilities likely won’t issue

one until March.

It typically takes the

state Department of Social and Health Services four to six months to process

assisted living facility license applications, according to state officials.

Windsong at Southridge filed its application Nov. 6.

Once open, the facility

will be able to accommodate 56 residents.

The $6.1 million

facility is visible from Highway 395, across from Home Depot, at 4000 24th Ave.

Windsong planned to

begin the process of hiring staff the second week of January. It’ll employ an

eight-member management team, which includes an executive chef, maintenance

director, business office manager, health services director who is a registered

nurse, resident care coordinator and a life enrichment coordinator.

In addition,

caregivers, medication assistants and a housekeeper will be brought on for the

24-hour operation.

The facility’s

staff-to-resident ratio for daytime hours is 1-to-6.

As Windsong prepares to

open, its executive director and community relations manager have been meeting

with community groups around the Tri-Cities to establish partnerships.

They say their goal is

not to isolate residents, but to bring the community to them and them to the

community in “purposeful ways,” said Drew Percival, executive director.

“We’ve been developing

community partnerships so residents are a part of their community and they’re

not locked away,” she said.

Windsong’s 13-passenger

bus will accommodate regular outings for residents.

“In good supportive

memory care that’s designed for them, they come and they thrive,” Percival

said.

Windsong at

Southridge’s unique approach to dementia care involves a Montessori-inspired

approach.

The Montessori method

typically is used with children. The approach values the development of the

whole person — physical, social, emotional and cognitive. Montessori classrooms

often include multi-age groupings to foster peer learning, uninterrupted blocks

of work time and guided choice of work activity.

Montessori-based

dementia care focuses on muscle memory, the five senses and building on

existing skills, interests and abilities. Windsong’s approach allows seniors to

tap into their history, experiences and senses by offering hands-on learning

opportunities.

Engagement stations –

some featuring dresses, hats and jewelry to try on, or crafts to do – will be

set up throughout the building to provide this purpose to residents. There also

will be a nursery with dolls, cribs and rocking chairs.

“As our residents walk

around, there will be things set up in the environment for them to engage

with...it’ll be something on the wall to engage with, to read, to touch,” said

Becky Lepinski, community relations manager.

A cleaning station

outside the neighborhood kitchen will be stocked with mops, brooms and other

cleaning supplies under a sign that reads, “Help us keep our home clean.” 

“They’ll take the broom

and instead of wandering down halls, they’ll sweep floors. With Montessori,

there’s no right or wrong, it’s all about engagement,” Percival said.

Assisted living

residents, especially those with dementia, frequently are described as not

being able to walk, read or use the restroom independently and that’s not the

approach Windsong likes to take, Percival said.

“We always want to

focus on our residents’ remaining strengths,” she said.

Even the language to

describe the facility is unique. Windsong doesn’t refer to the two identical

sides of its building as “wings,” but as “neighborhoods.” Residents, who meet

monthly at resident council meetings, even provide names for them. The meetings

also determine activities that are going to happen in the next month and next

quarter “because there’s no reason in planning an activity that they’re not

interested in or don’t see purpose in,” Percival said.

The 36,200-square-foot

facility will offer private rooms, a full commercial kitchen, interior and

exterior courtyards with wheelchair-accessible garden beds, television areas,

two homestyle kitchens, a salon and two Montessori-style rooms for activities.

“Our neighborhoods are

circular and all roads lead to home in the kitchen. That’s designed

specifically for memory care since we know folks tend to wander,” Percival

said.

Residents and their

families are encouraged to decorate their loved ones’ doors with photos of from

when they were younger to serve as a visual cue to let them know they’re home.

“We want, as people are

walking around, for there not to be empty walls, empty space, what do I do? We

want purposeful areas and then it’s easy for the staff and the families to

engage,” Lepinski said.

Windsong fees range

from $5,800 a month to $7,000 a month, based on the level of care needed. The

facility also charges a one-time $1,500 fee, and accepts private payments only,

no Medicaid.

Windsong at Southridge:

4000 24th Ave., Kennewick; 509-202-4327; windsongmemorycare.com; Facebook

and Instagram.