Providence Place

Providence Place is centrally located near Mt. Zion, Kaiser and California Pacific Medical Center. The facility cares exclusively for memory-impaired clients and stresses the importance of individual residents. After an initial assessment the intake team gathers the client’s medical information and interviews family members to learn the client’s personal history and preferences. The staff then trains with each client, observing body language and monitoring changes in health. Medications are closely monitored to avoid side effects, such as lethargy. Residents’ rooms are decorated with personal items and memorabilia. Each resident is assigned to a neighborhood, which is a self-contained group of people functioning at similar levels; the common area in each neighborhood includes a memory box, containing more items of personal significance. Although the interior is thoughtfully decorated we did notice on our tour that the building’s design posed a few issues: most residents’ rooms are not exposed to natural light and the patio area is accessed via one of the resident rooms. The building is secured, which accounts for the occasionally disruptive ringing of the front doorbell heard in the foyer and main dining room. Additionally, the building does not allow for adequate cross-ventilation.