Families in Kansas City and Topeka are hearing the words Alzheimer’s, dementia, and memory care more often than ever. When a loved one begins to struggle with memory, it can feel sudden and overwhelming—but the story of dementia stretches back through centuries of medical discovery, social change, and evolving senior care.
Understanding where we’ve been helps families make better decisions about where to go next. Here’s a brief history of Alzheimer’s and dementia, how America has responded over time, and how McCrite Plaza Senior Living has become a trusted leader in modern memory care at Briarcliff in Kansas City and in Topeka.
Dementia vs. Alzheimer’s: A Quick Snapshot
Before diving into history, it helps to clarify some terms:
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Dementia is a general term for a group of symptoms affecting memory, thinking, and social abilities severely enough to interfere with daily life.
Not everyone with dementia has Alzheimer’s, but most people with Alzheimer’s will experience dementia symptoms.
Early Views of “Senility” and Memory Loss
For most of human history, memory loss in older adults was considered a normal, if unfortunate, part of aging—often described simply as “senility.” Only in the early 20th century did dementia begin to be understood as a disease process rather than an inevitable part of growing old.
Families typically cared for older relatives at home. Those without family support or financial means might end up in almshouses, poorhouses, or large institutions, where medical knowledge about dementia was limited and specialized care was rare.
The Discovery of Alzheimer’s Disease
The turning point came in the early 1900s with a German psychiatrist and neuropathologist named Dr. Alois Alzheimer.
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After she died in 1906, Dr. Alzheimer examined her brain and found abnormal clumps (now called amyloid plaques) and tangled fibers (neurofibrillary tangles)—the hallmark changes we still associate with Alzheimer’s disease today.
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That same year, he presented his findings at a medical meeting in Tübingen, Germany, describing a new kind of “presenile dementia.”
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In 1910, Dr. Emil Kraepelin, a leading psychiatrist, used the term “Alzheimer’s disease” in a major psychiatry textbook, officially naming the condition.
At first, physicians thought Alzheimer’s mainly affected younger patients with early-onset symptoms. Over time, doctors realized that many cases of “senile dementia” in older adults had the same kinds of brain changes, and Alzheimer’s disease came to be recognized as a major cause of dementia across older age groups.
How Dementia Care Evolved in the United States
Early–Mid 20th Century: Institutionalization
In the early 1900s, as life expectancy increased and communities urbanized, more seniors needed care outside the traditional extended family. The early 20th century saw the rise of nursing homes and hospitals focused on elder care.
Key policy milestones shaped this era:
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1935 – Social Security Act: Provided income support for older adults, making it easier for seniors to afford some level of professional care.
However, dementia itself often wasn’t well understood. Many older adults with memory loss simply lived in general nursing home units without targeted therapies, dedicated environments, or specialized staff training.
Late 20th Century: Alzheimer’s as a Public Health Issue
From the 1970s through the 1990s, Alzheimer’s disease moved into the public spotlight:
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Advocacy organizations formed, raising awareness and supporting families.
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The National Institute on Aging established Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers in the 1980s, a signal that the condition had become a major research priority.
During this period, more communities recognized that traditional nursing home environments were not ideal for people living with cognitive changes.
The Rise of Dedicated Memory Care
In recent decades, long-term care providers across the U.S. have created specialized memory care units and stand-alone memory care communities. These are designed to provide:
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Secured, easy-to-navigate environments to reduce confusion and wandering risk.
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Higher staff training levels in dementia-specific communication and support.
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Activity programs tailored to cognitive abilities, focusing on purpose, routine, and joy.
Research and policy reviews show a growing focus on person-centered memory care within assisted living communities and nursing homes, in response to the needs of a rapidly rising population of older adults with dementia.
What Modern Memory Care Looks Like Today
Today’s best memory care communities build on lessons from the past century:
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Personalized assessments and care plans
Modern memory care begins with understanding the individual—history, preferences, medical needs, strengths, and current abilities—and adapting support around that, rather than expecting the person to fit a rigid routine. -
Safety without sacrificing dignity
Thoughtful layouts, secured access, and visual cues help residents move freely while staying safe. The goal is to preserve independence, not to restrict it. -
Consistent, specialized staff training
Ongoing training helps caregivers respond calmly to confusion, agitation, and communication changes, supporting residents with patience and respect. -
Meaningful daily engagement
Instead of only “keeping busy,” activities are designed to spark memories, build confidence, and maintain skills—music, crafts, conversation groups, walks, and familiar household tasks. -
Support for families
Family members are seen as partners in care, receiving education, updates, and emotional support as they navigate their loved one’s journey with dementia.
How McCrite Plaza Leads the Way in Memory Care in Kansas City and Topeka
At McCrite Plaza Senior Living, memory care isn’t an afterthought—it’s a carefully designed part of a full continuum of care. The McCrite family has served seniors for over 50 years as a locally owned and family-operated community with award-winning campuses in Kansas City at Briarcliff and in Topeka.
Purpose-Built Memory Care Neighborhoods
McCrite Plaza offers specially designed memory care neighborhoods in both Kansas City and Topeka. These neighborhoods provide personalized programming in a comfortable, secure, home-like setting, so residents feel safe and supported while maintaining as much independence as possible.
Key features include:
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Environments laid out with purposeful design to reduce confusion and promote autonomy.
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Family-style dining and shared spaces that encourage social interaction and familiarity.
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A daily schedule focused on well-being to create a soothing sense of routine and predictability.
These features mirror the best of contemporary memory care thinking: secure, but warm; structured, but personal.
Continuously Trained Memory Support Staff
One of the most important parts of cutting-edge dementia care is the people providing it. At McCrite Plaza, the entire staff is continuously trained in memory support, which helps residents and families feel confident in the quality of care being delivered.
Ongoing training supports:
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Effective, compassionate communication with residents who may have difficulty expressing needs.
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Calm, reassuring responses to anxiety, sundowning, or behavioral changes.
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A shared culture of respect and dignity throughout the memory care neighborhood.
Personalized Assessments and Evolving Care Plans
Modern memory care recognizes that no two residents with dementia are exactly alike. McCrite Plaza starts with an individual assessment for each memory care resident to understand both needs and remaining abilities, then builds a care plan that emphasizes what each person can do.
Care plans are regularly reassessed and adjusted over time, ensuring that:
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Residents receive the right level of help with bathing, dining, medications, mobility, and other daily tasks.
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Independence is encouraged wherever possible, preserving confidence and self-esteem.
This approach reflects the latest thinking in dementia care: dynamic, individualized, and centered on the whole person.
Comprehensive Health and Support Services
McCrite Plaza’s memory care neighborhoods integrate health and daily living support that align with best practices for seniors with cognitive changes, including:
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Regular nurse visits and ongoing clinical review.
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Medication management and monitoring of vital signs as needed.
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Assistance with personal care such as bathing, transfers, and dining.
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Laundry, housekeeping, meal delivery when needed, and an emergency call system for peace of mind.
For families in Kansas City’s Briarcliff neighborhood or Topeka, this means loved ones can receive advanced, attentive memory care without leaving the community they call home.
Recognized Leadership in Memory and Dementia Care
McCrite Plaza isn’t just providing memory care—it’s being recognized for it. In Topeka, McCrite Plaza has been top voted for memory and dementia care, and families across Topeka, Lawrence, Manhattan, and Wichita rely on the community when early signs of dementia appear.
With decades of experience and a strong local reputation, McCrite Plaza continues to refine its programs to reflect current research and best practices in memory care.
From “Senility” to Specialized Memory Care – And What That Means for Your Family
In just over a century, our understanding of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease has gone from vague ideas about “senility” to a sophisticated medical and caregiving field focused on dignity, safety, and quality of life.
For families in Kansas City and Topeka, that progress is reflected every day in the memory care neighborhoods at McCrite Plaza:
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Thoughtfully designed, secure environments
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Continuously trained staff
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Personalized, evolving care plans
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Engaging daily routines that honor each person’s story
If someone you love is showing signs of memory loss, you don’t have to face the journey alone.
McCrite Plaza Senior Living at Briarcliff in Kansas City (816-888-7930) and in Topeka (785-267-2960) welcomes you to schedule a tour, ask questions, and see how compassionate, cutting-edge memory care can support your entire family.
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