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TigerPlace, a group of residential apartments for active
seniors, officially opened its doors with a ribbon-cutting
ceremony June 10. Participating in the ceremony were, from
left, Richard Montgomery, CEO of Americare Systems, Inc.;
TigerPlace resident Mary Seggia; Dr. Richard Wallace, chancellor
of the University of Missouri-Columbia; Rose Porter, dean
of the MU Sinclair School of Nursing; Clay Crosson, president
of Americare Systems, Inc.; and Columbia Chamber of Commerce
ambassadors. Brian McNeill photo
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Revolutionary
Senior Care
By Kathryn Jones
Making the decision to move to a long-term
care facility can be difficult. A group of scientists and health
care professionals are working together to create TigerPlace,
an innovative health care facility that combines cutting-edge
technology and current research to develop a quality living experience
for seniors.
The University of Missouri’s Sinclair
School of Nursing is partnering with the Americare
corporation to create TigerPlace. Designed to accommodate the
progressive needs of every senior, TigerPlace sits on 7.1 acres
with scenic gardens and walking trails and is located on 2910
Bluff Creek Dr. near the A/C exit off Highway 63 in Columbia.
Other amenities include spacious walk-in closets, wide hallways
with special skylights designed to pull in a maximum amount of
light, state-of-the-art appliances, and a high-tech security system.
Marilyn Rantz, professor of nursing and research
administrator for TigerPlace, said the facility is designed so
that seniors can remain there even if their health care needs
increase, a practice known as “aging in place.” State
law mandates moving individuals to licensed care facilities as
the individual becomes more frail. TigerPlace is designed so that
this mandate can be met on site.
“Aging in Place at TigerPlace
is assured by state law so that as a person needs more care, they
can have services brought to their apartment for as long as they
need it,” Rantz said. “For most, this will eliminate
the need to move to a nursing home.”
Nurses will not be on-site 24 hours a day.
However, a wireless call system has been installed so that if
residents need help, they can call through a phone-speaker system
unique to each apartment. Wireless technology also is linked to
all doors and windows to alert the staff when the safety of residents
is jeopardized.
Six Ionic columns, the
Bengal Lair bar and dining area that is reminiscent of the
Shack, and a replica of the Jesse Hall dome on the roof
signify TigerPlace’s connection to Mizzou. Brian McNeill
photo
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In addition to health-care services, TigerPlace
will offer its residents opportunities to interact with the University.
Residents can enjoy on- and off-site activities such as lectures,
concerts, art exhibits, sporting events and cultural exchanges.
Pets are welcome and will benefit from care and treatment by students
and faculty of the MU College of Veterinary Medicine.
Because TigerPlace is the only senior housing development officially
affiliated with MU, students from many departments in the University
are incorporated into its daily activities. TigerPlace offers
a Student Mentoring Program where students are mentored throughout
their four years at MU. Nursing students will be on hand for health
care, agriculture students will help with landscaping, and computer
and engineering students will work together to develop potential
marketable ideas to help in long-term care.
For instance, researchers have developed a
detection device that could be put on the floor, with the owner’s
consent, to measure walking patterns and predict impending falls.
If someone has fallen, it will trigger a censor that alerts the
staff. Plans to design a computer that alerts residents when they
need to take their medicine, even dispensing the medication for
them, are in place.
Other research will experiment with the use
of video technology that provides silhouettes of images that can
help people with exercise programs, offering them corrections
or encouragement. Other research includes optical technology that
can be tailored to specific people with problems of low vision
to enhance their ability to see within their own apartment. There
are even plans to design a robot with the features of a tiger
that could interact with the residents and remind them of a particular
scheduled event.
“When people age, they say they
want to stay as active and vital as long as possible,” Rantz
said. “We want to help them do that.”
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Last Update:
November 15, 2007
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