PELLA, Iowa —Oct. 6, 2015—The Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) has announced that The Cottages of Hearthstone, a WesleyLife Community for Healthy Living located in Pella, Iowa, has achieved AFA’s “Excellence in Care Dementia Program of Distinction” status for its specialized memory care program. WesleyLife was the first organization in Iowa to achieve this prestigious status, with The Cottages of Hearthstone being its second certified community.
“This certification is an affirmation to families that their loves ones are receiving the best care,” said The Cottages Executive Director Nancy Hamilton.
The Cottages of Hearthstone offers a range of services for older adults and is committed to transforming the aging experience. In recognition of the growing needs of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, WesleyLife has focused on improving the experience for individuals living in its dedicated memory support households.
“As the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease continues to rise, there has never been a greater need for uniform standards that ensure quality of care,” said Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr., AFA’s chief executive officer. “The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America is proud to recognize WesleyLife for raising the bar on care, and embracing the concept of providing people with dementia the dignity and supportive environment they deserve.”
“The Cottages of Hearthstone is proud to achieve this distinguished status. It affirms the quality of services we provide to individuals with dementia. It also provided a valuable opportunity for The Cottages to benefit from AFA’s expertise throughout the rigorous assessment process,” said Hamilton.
AFA’s Excellence in Care is a national program that sets comprehensive standards for ongoing performance improvements in dementia care settings. To obtain this status, sites undergo a thorough onsite evaluation. The program is open to a variety of settings, including assisted living and skilled nursing facilities, adult day centers and adult day healthcare programs, and continuum of care residential communities.
Currently, more than 5 million people in the U.S. have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, and the incidence is projected to nearly triple by mid-century. More than 70,000 Iowans have some form of dementia. Studies indicate that nationally, as many as 70 percent of residents in skilled nursing facilities show some level of cognitive impairment.
###
For additional information, contact: Nancy Hamilton, executive director of The Cottages, at 641-620-4199 or nhamilton@wesleylife.org.
About WesleyLife—a nonprofit organization
Guided by Christian compassion, WesleyLife is enhancing the independence, health and well-being of older adults. Our vision is to transform the aging experience so people live longer, healthier lives. We offer health and wellness services in 15 Iowa counties through our Communities for Healthy Living, three adult day centers and an array of services delivered to people wherever they call home. For more information about WesleyLife, please visit wesleylife.org
About the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America
The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America is a nonprofit founded by a consortium of organizations to fill the gap that existed on a national level assuring quality of care and excellence in service to individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related illnesses, and to their caregivers and families. AFA unites more than 2,300 member organizations from coast-to-coast that are dedicated to meeting the educational, social, emotional and practical needs of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and their families. Under AFA’s umbrella, these organizations collaborate on education, resources, best practices and advocacy – all resulting in better care for people affected by the disease. AFA’s services include a national, toll-free helpline staffed by licensed social workers, educational materials, professional training, community outreach, free quarterly caregiver magazine, research funding, public advocacy and programmatic services. For more information about AFA, call 866-232-8484, visit www.alzfdn.org, follow us on Twitter or connect with us on Facebook or LinkedIn.