The Cottages of Tucson sits in Tucson, Arizona, and is set up as a group of four small, cozy cottages, each with space for just twenty residents, and it's all on one story, so there aren't any stairs to worry about, and each cottage is self-contained with its own kitchen, dining room, laundry area, living room with a fireplace, and private or shared rooms, and this place goes further than most because it's specially designed for people with Alzheimer's or other types of dementia, though it also has independent living and assisted living choices, so people who want to be on their own or need some help can both live there. The staff are certified, trained, and around twenty-four hours a day, every day, and you see nurses and health providers five days a week, while emergency phone support and on-call help are always there, and there's a team to help move in and do housekeeping, meal prep, laundry, and even beauty services, and if people need the nurse or skilled care, they can get that on-site, so families don't have to worry about finding outside care for most needs.
Residents get three well-balanced meals each day, and there are special menus for people with dietary restrictions, so most everybody finds something they like without trouble, and mealtimes happen in the cottage dining rooms, which feel a bit more like family than most big places. There's transportation for outings, there's a fitness room, a wellness room, and planned activities all week like exercise programs, gardening, arts and crafts, social groups, and even visits from miniature horses, while outside, there's an enclosed courtyard with green spots to walk, porch sitting, and paths for safe strolling. The rooms-private or shared-are furnished, with cable TV, Wi-Fi, air conditioning, private bathrooms, and kitchenettes, and every cottage keeps a calm, home-like feel that's easier for people with memory loss to handle, especially since the whole campus is built so staff can watch over everyone without being too obvious, with alarmed exits to help keep people safe.
Memory care takes center stage, as this is set up so every resident has a diagnosis before moving in, and the staff has extra training for dementia care, and they stay close to residents for both safety and comfort, helping with daily needs, giving medication, and guiding everyone through simple daily routines, and families can get support too with advice, support groups, or just talking with staff about concerns. Social problems aren't ignored, and there are daily structured activities to help memory and make sure nobody feels left out, so long as they're able and interested, and it's easy for people to join in thanks to the smaller cottage layout and high staff-to-resident ratio. Pets are allowed with some rules, there's mental health and physical therapy on-site, and dental or hearing care comes in on a mobile basis. People can get respite stays if they just need short-term help, and everybody's over 55, with the campus licensed by the state. At The Cottages of Tucson, the day-to-day chores and care are handled by staff, so residents can spend their time socializing, joining in activities, or relaxing in a space that feels about as private and familiar as a senior living place can get.
