The Caledonian House, a new assisted living home specially designed for those with Alzheimer’s disease, will offer best in class memory care following a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 13 at the facility in North Riverside, Ill.

The Illinois Saint Andrew Society, the oldest charity in Illinois, will continue its culture of caring with the Caledonian House. The state-of-the-art residence accommodates 20 residents in a personalized and home-like, yet very high tech design. Even prior to its opening, the facility was honored with the British Consul General’s prestigious 2016 Award for Innovation.

“You may be surprised to learn that an organization founded in the 19th Century received an innovation award in the 21st Century,” said Gus Noble, President of the Illinois Saint Andrew Society. “How did we do it? We used our 100 years’ experience of providing quality, person-centered care to build the Caledonian House, a bold innovation where infrastructure and operations are designed to improve the quality of life for those with Alzheimer's disease and other kinds of dementia.”

As well as being architecturally innovative, the Caledonian House is operationally innovative. While standard, institutional models of care employ three different workers for personal care-giving, food service and housekeeping, caregivers in the Caledonian House are cross-trained to provide all 3 services. This holistic approach features consistent resident-caregiver interaction that increases meaningful interaction between resident and caregiver and, in turn, this increases the bonds of familiarity and trust that encourage residents to remain active, engaged and fulfilled.

“We have also formed a partnership with Concordia University Chicago’s Kott Center for Gerontology to document the Caledonian House’s architectural, operational and philosophical innovations in order to develop a new model of memory care – one that can be replicated throughout the caregiving community,” Noble added.

Taking cues from Scottish and Midwestern architectural design, the new two-story building will look, feel and function as a home rather than an institution. There are no long, disorienting corridors. Each of the Caledonian House’s two floors is home to ten residents, all with private bedrooms and full bathrooms, all opening onto a great room where activities take place by the fire side. At the heart of the home is an open kitchen that fills the air with the wonderful aromas of cooking and baking. The Caledonian House is focused on the future and leading in a vital new model of care.

The Caledonian House is located on the Scottish Home campus. This is a unique senior living community nestled in five park-like acres just a few miles west of downtown Chicago. It is part of the first and oldest charity in Illinois, which was established in 1845. The Scottish Home has always emphasized warm community, close bonds between residents and staff, and strong links to family and friends. Both assisted living and healthcare options are available in a warm, loving environment.

Our philosophy of one-on-one care is inspired by the comfort of home and the warmth of family.  Research shows that just such an environment fosters the best outcomes for people in memory care.

The Alzheimer’s Association projects that, by 2030, 16 million Americans will live with the disease – a four-fold increase that could cost a trillion dollars each year. The Caledonian House is a practical response to this challenge, providing a haven of expert care deeply informed by a century of experience.

For more information on the Caledonian House and the Scottish Home, visit www.thescottishhome.org.