2 Women Open Unique Home For Seniors With Alzheimer's, Dementia

Kirsten McIntyre, News 9

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Deciding the best care for your loved ones can be a gut wrenching decision for families of those living with Alzheimer's and dementia. But there is a unique place in the metro for seniors who need special care.

It's literally a "home" for those suffering from memory loss. Two Oklahoma women pursued their dream after discovering their passion for helping seniors.

"The ratio of caregiver to resident is two to five here and you won't find that any place else," said Leslie McKee with From the Heart Assisted Living Home for Memory Care.

Instead of a living in a facility, these residents live in the comfort of an actual home. It's a concept being done all over the United States, but is still new to Oklahoma.

"This is the first licensed assisted living home for memory care in Oklahoma City. There are quite a few residential homes but not assisted living license which is a higher level of care," said Laura Hicks with From the Heart Assisted Living Home for Memory Care.

And that higher level of care seems to be making a difference. Some clients have made huge strides since arriving.

"We have one client here who has evolved and done a 360 turn. She came in almost not able to verbalize and now she's talking some and has the desire to try to walk," said Hicks.

To make it feel like home, there's Jake the dog and food is prepared in the kitchen.

"We're a home. We're not a facility trying to be a home. We're an actual home so I think our residents respond to that," said McKee.

The fee is $165 a day. Right now, there's room for only five clients, but eventually the owners hope to expand and offer adult day care services as well.

Even though residents live in an actual home, the owners must follow the same state regulations as nursing homes and assisted living centers.