Prairie Elder Care, a memory care facility in southern Overland Park, has added a little farm, a community garden and a third house to treat more patients and expand its programming.
At 12401 W. 151st St., the center will expand its capacity to treat patients with dementia and Alzheimer’s by opening a third house this summer.
Prairie Elder Care patients will care for a garden and farm animals
- Through a new partnership with the Johnson County Master Gardeners and the Care Farming Network, the facility has also planted a new community garden and brought livestock, like pigs and chickens, to the farm for patients to tend.
- The Care Farming Network implements farm and animal therapy across the country for marginalized or vulnerable groups of people — such as those with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
- The farm will also serve as a job site for two 18- to 21-year old students with disabilities from the Blue Valley Access House program. These students will provide daily help with farm chores, gardening and home maintenance.
- “When we came up with the farmstead concept, we definitely had big dreams, but seeing it come together like this is truly amazing,” said Michala Gibson, co-founder of Prairie Elder Care. “I’m so proud of our team and their hard work that has helped build this community where people find meaningful connections, live a purposeful life and have a real sense of belonging.”
The third house will serve eight memory care patients
- The new house will raise the facility’s total capacity up to 26 patients, with nine patients in each of the other two houses already on site.
- Once opened later this summer, the house will also have two caregivers, just like the other two houses.
- It will also feature a new community room for families and residents, a fishing pond and picturesque views from a covered porch area.
The founders hope Prairie Elder Care keeps growing
- The center is also working on plans for new in-home services and family support services for people caring for relatives with dementia at home.
- Gibson said the new facility and new programming will also help Prairie Elder Care better serve its patients by trying new ways to boost patient morale and help patients with memory retention.
- “I think senior living is going to have to change because of the cost of providing care, workforce shortages, all of that,” she said. “To succeed, you’re going to have to get creative and think outside the box. My hope is that we continue to grow in that way.”
Go deeper: Find more information about Prairie Elder Care here.
