United Presbyterian Residence Center for Health and Rehabilitation in Woodbury held a dedication ceremony of the new Alzheimer's unit and Memory Enrichment Program on Wednesday.

The Memory Enrichment Program at UPR offers a unique lifestyle approach to caring for individuals with Alzheimer's Disease and other dementia related conditions. The staff of physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, registered nurses, behavior management specialists, social workers, recreational therapists and nutritionists are on-site to plan and implement resident-focused care in a home-like and nurturing setting. The program includes 24-hour physician coverage, secure and protective environment, individualized comprehensive treatment program, full program of social and cognitive stimulation, spiritual services, private and semi-private rooms, unrestricted visiting hours for family and friends, family support meetings and respite care.

UPR is a facility that more than 600 people call home and is a place to restore or maintain their health, a source for home-based health services or a daily destination to remain socially active and receive medical, nutritional and other services.

Joseph Seminaro, chief executive officer of United Presbyterian Residence, began the dedication ceremony. "This is a terrific turnout and I am really excited," he said to the filled chapel at UPR. "We couldn't succeed without you, the community, politicians and staff."

Lisa Simon, Director of Community Relations for UPR, introduced Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto who presented a citation to UPR. "When you function in government and politics, there are few things you can say that someone doesn't want to debate you on," said Venditto. "One thing we can't debate is that we live in a great place in the Town of Oyster Bay. Sometimes we forget how we got here - our parents, grandparents and great-grandparents. They found the time to build this town and we inherited it all from them... The seniors should be able to stay and enjoy the town that they built."

Citations were also presented by Nassau County Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs (D-Woodbury), a representative from Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi, and a representative from Congressman Steve Israel's office.

Mary Ann Ragone, executive director/CEO of Alzheimer's Association Long Island Chapter spoke next about the need for Alzheimer's care on Long Island and her excitement about the new Memory Enrichment Program at UPR.

"I have been with the Alzheimer's Association for two months and I quickly realized that I am the voice for the 55,200 individuals with Alzheimer's on Long Island," said Ragone.

Ragone also spoke about the many fundraisers and programs offered through the Alzheimer's Association, Long Island Chapter. One of those programs is the Memories in the Making program in which individuals with Alzheimer's disease express themselves through painting. It demonstrates that even after individuals have lost the ability to communicate verbally they can express themselves in concrete thoughts and beautiful pictures through painting.

Participants meet weekly under the guidance of an experienced artist and are encouraged to express themselves. Over time, a body of work can be collected into an art exhibit and auction. It is a show that tells the story and highlights the human beings who have lost their voice to Alzheimer's disease. Memories artists are memory-impaired Alzheimer patients with mild to severe dementia. They are men and women from diverse backgrounds and from all walks of life.

This program has been known to return a sense of pride and dignity to the participants and reminds the families that the essence of whom their loved one is after Alzheimer's has stripped them of so much.

For more information about the Memory Enrichment Program, please call 622-7729 and for more information about the Alzheimer's Association, Long Island Chapter please call 935-1033 or 631-580-5100.