Swansea, IL --- Representatives Tom Holbrook (D-Belleville) and Dan Reitz (D- Steeleville) announced that Sycamore Village been recognized by the Illinois Pioneer Coalition as one of the state’s leading providers of specialized care for those with memory loss. Sycamore Village is an assisted living, memory enrichment community located in Swansea, Illinois. 

The Illinois Pioneer Coalition was formed in 1999 with grant funds from the Illinois Department on Aging.  Its mission is to change how services are provided in nursing homes, transitional settings, and home- and community-based programs.  Under the Pioneer model, seniors make their own care decisions to the greatest extent possible. Program operation is based on the individual needs and preferences of the senior, not the convenience of the caregivers.

“We are very gratified that our work at Sycamore Village has been recognized by the Pioneer Coalition. We are also honored to be one of only 50 programs statewide featured in the Coalition’s book, Tales from the Prairie,” said Kendra Garnto, Executive Director of Sycamore Village. 

“Countless families in our area have benefited from the care that Sycamore Village is known for,” said Representative Holbrook.  “I am pleased that they are getting the recognition they deserve.” He concluded, “Over the years, Sycamore Village has shown me what senior care can be in Illinois.”  

His colleague, Representative Reitz, echoed that opinion, “You have only to walk in the door at Sycamore Village to know how deserving this recognition is.  We are fortunate that families here can keep their loved ones in the community.”

The recognition by the Pioneer Coalition is just the latest of many the unique memory enrichment community has received. In 2009, for example, Sycamore Village was selected as one of only a handful of memory loss programs nationwide to be awarded the prestigious Excellence of Care designation by the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.  

Ms. Garnto also announced that Sycamore Village will be featured in an upcoming documentary focusing on innovative care and specialized programming for those with memory loss, Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Terra Nova Films is scheduled to begin production in the fall of this year. 

“All of our staff members, residents and their families were excited to learn that Terra Nova had chosen Sycamore Village as one of only seven providers to be profiled in this informative film.” She concluded. “Bringing new awareness about this subject and new hope to those whose lives it affects is extremely important.”