FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 23, 2004

For further information, contact:
Paul Zemitzsch (314) 616-7873

GOVERNOR HOLDEN, DIGNITARIES DEDICATE NEW NATIONAL MODEL FOR SENIOR ASSISTED LIVING AND MEMORY CARE IN ST. LOUIS

Parc Provence, a $44 million, state-of-the-art senior care community in Creve Coeur, debuts as “a dynamic vision that focuses on the abilities of each resident”

CREVE COEUR, MO.: Gov. Bob Holden joined federal, state and local leaders Sunday to dedicate the opening of Parc Provence, the new national model for assisted living, skilled nursing and memory care, which puts the State of Missouri and the St. Louis region at the forefront of innovation for individuals and families affected by dementia.

Designed by internationally-acclaimed architects and memory care specialists, Parc Provence is a first-of-its kind senior residential environment that creates a “true community of well being, promoting the physical and cognitive abilities of each resident.” More than seven years of research and development are embodied in the Parc Provence project.

“This is an exciting and significant day for senior adults and their families,” said Charles Deutsch, lead developer of Parc Provence and co-owner of the prestigious and successful senior community, The Gatesworth at One McKnight Place. “Parc Provence, more than any other residential community in its field, empowers people and breaks down the barriers of negative attitude, isolation and inactivity.”

Conveniently located on the west outer road of I-270 (605 Coeur de Ville Dr.) between Olive Blvd. and Ladue Rd., Parc Provence is the fruition of the developers’ vision and specific legislation created by the Missouri General Assembly under the sponsorship of former state Sen. Betty Sims to create a new category of licensed facilities using innovative methods to enhance the lifestyles of senior adults with memory impairment. The legislation, passed in 2002, was signed by the late Gov. Mel Carnahan, awarded to the development team, and continued with the collaboration of the Missouri Dept. of Health and Senior Services, headed by Director Richard Dunn.

The $44 million, 154,000-square-foot building is on three levels that will be the home of 120 senior residents who will be served by more than 200 staff members.

“The architecture and programs of Parc Provence have been designed to engage all residents at their highest level of ability in a continuum of care,” Deutsch said. “We will identify their strengths and challenge them to excel in their futures as they continue to build rewarding lives.”

Parc Provence was privately developed with a world-renowned team of environmental designers, gerontologists, specialized architects, dementia care experts, and landscape architects. Parc Provence offers a continuum of care including assisted living, skilled nursing care, unique approaches to physical and cognitive therapy, rehabilitative services, and medical treatment for residents’ health issues.

Deutsch, along with principals Bob Leonard, David Smith and Paul Zemitzsch, set out to capture the essential core values of “household,” “neighborhood” and “community” evoked through sensitively scaled settings similar to residents’ homes.

Parc Provence is built in multiple, distinct and interconnected households—or “pods”—averaging just 10 residents each to engender a home-like atmosphere. Each household has its own living room and dining room, and shares a “resident useful” kitchen and sunroom with an adjacent household. The household enjoys a back porch and beautiful gardens that allow residents to remain in contact with nature in a safe environment.

Households at Parc Provence open onto a central activity “neighborhood” where residents can participate in “meaningful destinations” along a “Main Street” similar to a countryside village. Residents can enjoy such amenities as an exquisite interior gazebo, hearth room, wardrobe room, gallery and grand hall, exquisite wandering gardens and greenhouse and ice cream bistro, among others. The activities are intended to engage the complete array of human senses of sound, touch, smell and taste to promote cognitive reflection and memory, as well as enhanced physical function.

Critical to the care and lifestyle at Parc Provence are a strong programmatic component and a “Dream Team” of expert staff members. That team is headed by Jennifer Gettman, MA, NHA, one of the region’s top skilled care administrators, and Kim Warchol, OTR/L, one of the nation’s leading authorities on geriatric and dementia therapeutic strategies.

“Communication and teamwork among well-qualified staff and families are vitally important,” Gettman said. “Our ‘person-centered’ care plans maximize residents’ potentials.”

Parc Provence is also proud to have David Carr, M.D., C.M.D. as its medical director. Dr. Carr is the Clinical Director of the Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology at the Washington University School of Medicine and the Memory and Aging Project Clinician at the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center in St. Louis. The collaboration with the Washington University research staff is a key element in this demonstration project.

Completion of Parc Provence is the first phase of a plan to fully develop its 16-acre campus. Phase Two of the $110 million campus will be Le Domaine, a 236-unit senior independent living community with one, two and two-bedroom deluxe apartments. The nearly 458,000-square-foot building will be adjacent to the north of Parc Provence. The entire campus enviorment is typified by dense perimeter old growth tree lines which includes a lovely landscaped lake and adjoining city park.

Parc Provence is owned and managed by the same company which opened more than 15 years ago the luxury continuum of care and senior well being facilities known as The Gatesworth at One McKnight Place, McKnight Place Assisted Living and McKnight Place Extended Care at I-170 and Delmar Boulevard. The Gatesworth family of residences have won many national awards for their excellence in senior residential care and design.