Different living community for patients

LINCOLN, R.I. (FOX Providence) - Finding out one of your loved ones suffers from Alzheimer's Disease can be tough. You may try to take care of them on your own, but sometimes it's too much. Albion Court in Lincoln helped make it a little easier for one local couple.

Fred and Millie Coe met as youngsters, flirting across the newsroom while working at the Woonsocket Call.

"The publisher said that there was too much talking going on at the switchboard, which was her job at the time. So, I cut it out," said Fred Coe.

And although they cut out the riff-raff at work, they soon began dating.

"A couple of years later, we were married. And that was over 59 years ago," added Fred.

But, as the years went by, Millie began to change.

"She didn't know exactly where she was, or what year it was or anything."

After attempting to provide the proper care for Millie at home, worried about her safety, the responsibility became far too much. That's when they found Albion Court.

"From the time I entered the door, I said, 'this is the place for Millie'."

Albion Court is a different type of assisted living community.

"This is truly a Rhode Island facility. Or community as we call it. And truly the only one that deals exclusively with Alzheimer's Disease or memory loss, or any kind of dementia's," said Joann S. Cardullo, R.N., the Administrator at Albion Court.

The community is made up of four neighborhoods. Each offering it's own dining area, parlor, and activities area. Plus, the apartments at Albion Court are fully customizable, so you're free to re-arrange and add furniture that will remind your loved one of home. That's what makes Albion Court different...freedom.

"Our residents can come and go as they please even though they're in a secured area, because we have the beautiful courtyards. In the summertime we have barbecues out there for the residents. The family members are always invited to everything that we have. So, if they just want to stop in for a cone of ice cream with their loved one, or if they want to sit down and have lunch with them or a barbecue with them, they're more than welcome to do that," said Arlene Nihill, Director of Marketing at Albion Court.

The neighborhoods are fully staffed 24/7, and no matter what time of the day or night your family member is up, they will always have something to do.

"They vary from playing cards to bowling to golf, all different exercises. We have an exercise program, cooking club, cooking with the chef. A variety of (things), it goes on and on," added Cardullo.

As for Fred and Millie? It's been one of the toughest, but best decisions they've ever made.