Story about Seguin Services and housing for elderly with MI/Dementia

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House outfitted for people with disabilities

Source: ABC 7 Chicago

By: Meyer

posted 12/27/09

EmailPrintShareDecember 27, 2009 (CICERO, Ill.) (WLS) -- One out of five

individuals over the age of 70 struggles with dementia. This also includes those

with developmental disabilities and mental illness.

To help these individuals, Seguin Services, a not-for-profit organization

serving people with disabilities, has created a unique living environment where

both needs are serviced.

Seguin Services purchased a large and beautiful single family home in Cicero.

Joe Mengoni is the vice president of adult residential services.

" In this particular home we will have up to six residents that will live here,

and there will be individuals who have a primary diagnosis of a mental illness

and secondary diagnosis of dementia, " said Mengoni.

The cost is based upon their level of care.

" It could be on the low end to higher end, $5,000 to $7,000 a month, " Mengono

said.

Research shows this population is currently underserved.

" It's a growing population, and specifically with the developmental disability

community-- folk with Down syndrome have a high percentage of dementia. In fact,

it's almost 100 percent, " said

Stuart Gaines is a member of Seguin board and a consultant on this project.

" Many of the care providers that are out there don't understand dementia care.

There's an effort on the part of the state of Illinois to have a legislation to

require more training, " said Gaines.

Finding the right home that will provide for this growing population is

essential.

" They need more kindness and more understanding, so the issues of dementia are

similar to providing good, quality care, but with a little twist, " Gaines said.

Seguin's first home for people with disabilities and dementia has been designed

with input from Bernie Marinelli. She has set up similar homes in northern

Illinois.

" I really favor a smaller lifestyle for them, because a small home is more like

a real home for them, " Marinelli said.

" I love the fact that it is so easy to navigate, everything is on one floor, it

is charming and warm, the wood toned, and the decorating is just absolutely

beautiful, " said Marinelli. " It brings just an easy energy, and I think it's

calming, and just someone who has or suffers cognitive impairment, they have so

much going on in their mind, they actually need to have a stimulation at all

times. "

While they are getting ready to move in the residents, Seguin has plans for

more.

" We have the second site already indentified in Burbanks, and then we are going

to be searching for another site out in the western suburbs, " said Mengoni.

If you want more information go to www.seguin.org.

[Guest guest]

Skip to navigation

Skip to main content

Skip to footer

House outfitted for people with disabilities

Source: ABC 7 Chicago

By: Meyer

posted 12/27/09

EmailPrintShareDecember 27, 2009 (CICERO, Ill.) (WLS) -- One out of five

individuals over the age of 70 struggles with dementia. This also includes those

with developmental disabilities and mental illness.

To help these individuals, Seguin Services, a not-for-profit organization

serving people with disabilities, has created a unique living environment where

both needs are serviced.

Seguin Services purchased a large and beautiful single family home in Cicero.

Joe Mengoni is the vice president of adult residential services.

" In this particular home we will have up to six residents that will live here,

and there will be individuals who have a primary diagnosis of a mental illness

and secondary diagnosis of dementia, " said Mengoni.

The cost is based upon their level of care.

" It could be on the low end to higher end, $5,000 to $7,000 a month, " Mengono

said.

Research shows this population is currently underserved.

" It's a growing population, and specifically with the developmental disability

community-- folk with Down syndrome have a high percentage of dementia. In fact,

it's almost 100 percent, " said

Stuart Gaines is a member of Seguin board and a consultant on this project.

" Many of the care providers that are out there don't understand dementia care.

There's an effort on the part of the state of Illinois to have a legislation to

require more training, " said Gaines.

Finding the right home that will provide for this growing population is

essential.

" They need more kindness and more understanding, so the issues of dementia are

similar to providing good, quality care, but with a little twist, " Gaines said.

Seguin's first home for people with disabilities and dementia has been designed

with input from Bernie Marinelli. She has set up similar homes in northern

Illinois.

" I really favor a smaller lifestyle for them, because a small home is more like

a real home for them, " Marinelli said.

" I love the fact that it is so easy to navigate, everything is on one floor, it

is charming and warm, the wood toned, and the decorating is just absolutely

beautiful, " said Marinelli. " It brings just an easy energy, and I think it's

calming, and just someone who has or suffers cognitive impairment, they have so

much going on in their mind, they actually need to have a stimulation at all

times. "

While they are getting ready to move in the residents, Seguin has plans for

more.

" We have the second site already indentified in Burbanks, and then we are going

to be searching for another site out in the western suburbs, " said Mengoni.

If you want more information go to www.seguin.org.