Abingdon at Tradition Announces Partnership with Alzheimer’s Association Southeast Florida Chapter

March 12, 2010 - PRLog -- PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla.– Abingdon at TraditionSM, a retirement community located in Port St. Lucie, announced today a new partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association Southeast Florida Chapter.  The community will be a presenting sponsor of the 2010 Treasure Coast Memory Walk.

With an emphasis on person-centered care, The Retreat at Abingdon features memory care units designed to make members living with Alzheimer’s or dementia feel at-home in their surroundings.  Also known as “culture change,” person-centered care represents a transition from the more traditional, institutional model of care to an individually focused, home-like model of care.  

The Retreat at Abingdon is one of the only health care buildings in Port St. Lucie built specifically to deliver person-centered care.  From the bright red front door and welcome mat at the entrance of memory care to the nursing station designed to look like the outside of a house with flowers and window boxes, The Retreat encourages members to remain engaged in their surroundings.

This dedication to person-centered wellness in Alzheimer’s care is one reason Dottie Carson, Director of Development for the Alzheimer’s Association Southeast Florida Chapter, is excited about the partnership.

“The Treasure Coast community is truly lucky to have a facility like Abingdon in our area,” Carson said.  “The Association is grateful for their remarkable support of Memory Walk, and appreciate their willingness as newcomers to join an awesome industry network in raising Alzheimer awareness for the good of the community and beyond.”

As presenting sponsor, Abingdon will participate as a team in the 2010 Treasure Coast Memory Walk on Saturday, April 24, speak from the podium at the opening ceremony and start the walk by sounding a siren.  The community will also host the Treasure Coast Memory Walk V.I.P reception for sponsors, private donors, committee members and other special guests.

Memory Walk is the Alzheimer’s Association's largest annual fundraiser nationwide and local participants from St. Lucie, Martin and Indian River counties will be walking in the town of TraditionSM  to raise funds and awareness for national research as well as  local services and programs.

Walkers, teams or volunteers interested in participating in the 2010 Treasure Coast Memory Walk should call 800.861.7826, ext. 203 or visit www.memorywalks.com.

About the Alzheimer’s Association Southeast Florida Chapter
The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research.  Its mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.

The Southeast Florida Chapter advances efforts for researching a cure through fundraising and provides support and educational services to more than 200,000 persons with Alzheimer's disease and their families and caregivers in Broward, Palm Beach, Miami-Dade, Martin, Monroe, St. Lucie and Okeechobee counties.  It offers a 24-hour HELPLINE (800) 272-3900, support groups, the Medic Alert® + Safe Return® identification bracelet program, community education, law enforcement training and an advocate to educate Congress on critical Alzheimer policy issues and work to increase federal funding for research and care programs. For more information, call (800) 861-7826 or visit www.alz.org/seflorida.


About Abingdon at Tradition
Abingdon at TraditionSM is an all-inclusive, luxury retirement community located in Port St. Lucie, Fla.  The community’s care-free lifestyle helps members live longer, healthier and happier lives by offering an array of amenities including maintenance-free living, daily fine dining, weekly housekeeping and a personalized wellness program.  Members also enjoy access to social activities, tennis, swimming, two golf courses and receive an associate membership to the Professional Golf Association (PGA) Country Club.  The community is gated and staffed 24 hours a day.  The Retreat at Abingdon features person-centered assisted living and memory care rooms for those who need to make a transition from independent living.  More information about Abingdon at Tradition, owned and operated by Senior Living Communities, is located at www.Abingdon-Tradition.com.

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Senior Living Communities, headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., owns and operates ten luxury retirement communities in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. The company's focus is to help residents live longer, healthier and happier lives.