The small town of Quitman, East Texas is making strides toward innovation in caregiving for individuals with dementia and Alzheimer's, motivated by Mayor Randy Dunn's personal connection to the disease after his mother, Addy Lois Dunn, battled dementia for years before passing away in 2012. The town has secured a $6 million federal grant aimed at establishing a scenario similar to Scandinavian care models, which promote independence among residents. Nonetheless, the grant is contingent on matching state funds, which have yet to materialize, as reported by The Texas Tribune.
Facing a significant hurdle, Mayor Dunn, alongside healthcare professionals and community members with firsthand experience in memory loss diseases, hopes to transform memory care in the state. The proposed 54-bed hospital would prioritize independence and a less restrictive environment, proving the need for such a facility in a state where care options are often limited or subpar. "It'll be a national model," said Tom Mullins, a contractor for the University of Texas health system involved in developing the project, in a statement obtained by The Texas Tribune.
The inspiration for Quitman's facility stems from a movement that recognized the lack of adequate memory care in Texas and across the nation, where sedation or confinement often serve as substitutes for genuine care. In contrast, the Quitman project, which would cost an estimated $60 million, is envisioned to be accessible even to low-income families, revolutionizing how memory care is approached and implemented.
However daunting the $60 million price tag might seem for a community of 2,301, the dream of an Alzheimer's friendly community in Quitman persists. The federal funds awarded represent more than just money; they symbolize a potential shift in the quality of life for people with memory loss. But this vision will only become a reality if the state Legislature matches the federal grant during the 2025 session— a move that Deputy Director Kathy Green of AARP Texas hints could position Texas as a pioneer of brain health research and treatment. “It is vital that leaders prepare the state for the growing need for research on the prevention and treatment of brain-related diseases,” Green told The Texas Tribune.
Despite the model's promise, executing such a vision is challenging. Carmen Tilton, vice president of public policy at the Texas Assisted Living Association, holds reservations about the feasibility of the concept spreading statewide, noting the financial implications and the essential need for systemic support, an aspect not yet realized. “Every part of the ecosystem needs to be on the same page for something like this to work. And even when you do have it, it can be tough to sustain,” Tilton expressed her concerns in a Texas Tribune interview.
The Quitman team, nonetheless unwavering, is seeking alternative funding through educational partnerships, grants, and community efforts. They envision Quitman as a beacon of hope and acceptance, a community that, in the words of Debbie Robinson, vice president of the WoodHomePage.png County Healthcare Foundation, “They would have a place, and not just be a person with Alzheimer’s locked in a closed hallway.”
