Recognizing an acute need for improved programming for individuals with memory loss, including Alzheimer's, Nugent's has designed a special care unit to accommodate residents with special needs.

Nugent's Special Care Unit was designed to provide a flexible and secure living environment for residents with memory disorders. Careful research and planning went into the environmental design of the unit to promote safety and maximize resident's autonomy. The design of the unit attempts to compensate for resident's cognitive losses such as: color coded rooms to assist with room finding, carpeted and low-glare flooring that reduces reflection that impedes resident's walking, and bright non-glare lighting to reduce nightly wandering effects of sundowning. In addition to safe indoor walkways, and outdoor courtyard is inviting to residents to walk and explore. The courtyard is wheelchair accessible and its gardens are carefully landscaped with edible-safe vegetation.

Nugent's Special Care Unit breaks away from traditional nursing home concepts. The flexible nature of this environment allows staff to adapt to the resident's individual needs. The spiritual, social, and activity programs are extended to family and friends of the resident's, and educational and support programs are available to meet their needs. In addition, a volunteer program is enlisted to creatively links Nugent's Special Care Unit to the community in which it is located.