MOUNT PLEASANT, SC – Alice’s Clubhouse, a private, membership-based memory care day facility, will open on Bowman Road in late October. Open to adults with mild to moderate memory loss, the 3,100 square-foot facility will host up to 30 members per day, and is now accepting applications.
Two local residents, with a desire to improve quality of life for both the Clubhouse’s members and their caregivers, developed the facility from concept through creation. Diane Sancho, MSW, a 30-year veteran of elder care will serve as its executive director. David AvRutick, whose mother, Alice, has Alzheimer’s disease, is its president.
“We are excited to launch the first medical model memory care day center in South Carolina – and one of only a few in the United States,” said AvRutick. “Alice’s Clubhouse will allow those struggling with the disease to live at home longer and be more stimulated socially and cognitively, while at the same time helping their caregivers better maintain their own lives and health.”
The Alzheimer’s Association estimates that:
- Every minute, an adult is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in the United States
- One in 10 seniors are living with dementia from Alzheimer’s disease
- By 2025, the number of people with Alzheimer’s is expected to grow in every state by at least 13 percent. In South Carolina, that number is expected to grow by 35 percent
“Alice’s Clubhouse offers comprehensive services, enabling both its members and their caregivers to live less stressful, more fulfilling lives,” said Sancho. “The goal of our center is to offer support, stimulation, socialization, and relief to our members and their families who are shouldering these challenging conditions.”
The center will have a team of licensed medical professionals on site to assess each club member, administer medications and assist with daily care. Staff includes registered nurses, a physician liaison, a certified nursing assistant and a recreational technician. Dentists, podiatrists, physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech therapists will be in rotation. White linen food service will also be featured at lunch and snack time.
AvRutick envisions opening multiple locations of Alice’s Clubhouse to meet this tremendous growing need, as well as partnering with researchers and hospitals in the field of memory care to contribute to the body of knowledge on dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and the many other conditions that rob individuals of their cognitive abilities.
The structured environment of Alice’s Clubhouse will prioritize therapeutic and recreational programming tailored to each member’s interests, including art therapy, horticulture, baking, music, word games, guest lecturers and reading – all for cognitive stimulation. Salon services, exercise classes and visits by therapy animals will also be offered.
Alice’s Clubhouse is open to adults with mild to moderate memory loss, including but not limited to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases and other forms of dementia. A comprehensive assessment for care plan development must be completed before being accepted as a Clubhouse member. The Clubhouse is private pay, although some costs may be covered by a member’s long term care insurance.
Alice’s Clubhouse is located at 1156 Bowman Road, Suite 105, Mount Pleasant, SC 29646. Hours of operation are Mondays through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. To apply or to learn more, please visit alicesclubhouse.com.
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