By Mary O’KEEFE

A ribbon cutting ceremony officially opened the Alzheimer’s and Dementia ActivCare wing at Mountview Retirement Community in Montrose last week.  Members of the Montrose Verdugo Chamber of Commerce and the medical field came out in support of this new and needed facility addition.
Mountview has served the Crescenta Valley community since 1975. It offers seniors
assisted living, independent and retirement living and now ActivCare Residential Alzheimer’s Care.
Before the ribbon cutting ceremony visitors walked into a back courtyard that looked more like a Spanish village than an assisted
care facility. Balconies, some decorated with flowers
strung over a patio, were
perfect for entertaining.  A feeling of being home could
be found throughout the rooms.
That homey feel carried through to the rooms in the care wing. Rooms were decorated with pictures of grandchildren and memories of long lives lived well. The doors to the rooms all have doorknockers commonly found at any apartment.
“This is home for those who stay here,” said Jay Johnson, executive director.
The staff keeps those in their care active throughout the day with crafts and exercise. Doors are used to secure the areas that lead to other parts of the assisted living facility and to the outside neighborhood. There are large doors outfitted with an electronic sensor. If the door is open without a pass code being entered an alarm sounds. This is necessary, Johnson said, because patients with Alzheimer’s tend to roam.
In addition to offering a
comfortable and secure area for those with Alzheimer’s
and dementia, Mountview also offers a support group
for families whose loved ones have been diagnosed with the disease.
“I want the community to know that we are offering this support group,” Johnson said. “Their loved one does not have to be [a resident of] Mountview to come to the support group.”
He added that the families often suffer as much or more than those with the disease.  There is a sense of guilt
for no longer being able to care for their loved ones.  Families can come to the
support group for advice on how to help those with
Alzheimer’s and to learn what to expect.
In addition to the new Alzheimer’s wing, Mountview continues to offer seniors opportunities to live an active and independent lifestyle.
For information on the facility’s programs or on the Alzheimer’s support group contact Jay Johnson at (818) 248-6737. Mountview is located at 2640 Honolulu Ave., Montrose.