When Elderwood acquired two neighboring Williamsville assisted living communities in 2019, they created a new vision for them. Rather than duplicating services in close proximity, and recognizing the urgent need for specialized memory care in the community, Elderwood Village at St. Gregory Court (Elderwood St. Gregory) was closed for transformative renovations.

Elderwood St. Gregory is now a newly transformed home for individuals living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. “Looking at what was available in the community and the needs of the area’s aging community, we knew we could do this better,” said Elderwood Regional Director of Memory Care Elizabeth Laczi.

The massive renovation incorporated several features to meet the unique needs of individuals requiring specialized memory care services, such as calming tones and color-coded zones to aid residents with wayfinding. Each 70 single-occupancy unit offers private bathrooms spread-out over four distinct “neighborhoods” with beautifully landscaped enclosed courtyards, kitchens, laundry spaces, and other amenities that foster safe independence.

Elderwood St. Gregory is designed and licensed to support individuals as their need for additional services and care changes, allowing them to “age in place” and avoid an upsetting change to their environment. Staff at the facility are trained and certified in dementia care. “It’s important for staff to have the right tools in their toolbox to help our residents,” said Laczi.

Dana Notaro, Executive Director and Administrator for Elderwood St. Gregory will lead and oversee both Elderwood St. Gregory, and Elderwood Village at Bassett Park. With nearly two decades of experience in senior care services in Western New York, Notaro says, “I am very excited to be part of this progressive project — essentially built from the ground up. I am passionate about ensuring residents’ quality of life in memory care. The program model we are using, and specialized staff training will help us achieve that.”

Along with the outstanding dining and support services residents are accustomed to receiving, they will also have access to dynamic specialized programming and activities. “Elderwood St. Gregory will be able to safely meet the needs of residents with very mild cases of dementia and those needing more specialized and advanced memory care,” said Elderwood Regional Director of Operations-Assisted Living, Eric Bernard. Such programming includes:

  • Daily specialized dementia recreational therapeutic programming
  • Right engagement recreational programs individually tailored to each resident’s cognitive, physical, and social-emotional needs
  • Specialized dementia-certified staff that provide quality of life and care to each individual
  • The Elderwood Right Moves® Wellness Program to improve strength and balance for enhancing wellness and prolonged independence

Elderwood Village at St. Gregory Court is truly a “virtual senior campus” that includes a traditional assisted living community — Elderwood Village at Bassett Park and a subacute/skilled nursing facility, Elderwood at Williamsville. Several residents from Elderwood Village at Basset Park with memory care needs will be among the first to move into the newly renovated facility on St. Gregory Court.

Families interested in securing space at Elderwood Village at St. Gregory Court should contact Krista Savage at KSavage@elderwood.com or call her at 716-688-4011.