St. Louis Center has received a $2 million state allocation to help create a new Nursing & Memory Care Center, a major step toward meeting the growing needs of aging adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Approved as part of Michigan’s 2026 state budget, the funding will launch the renovation of part of St. Louis Center’s original 1960s main building. The project will transform aging infrastructure into a modern care center for residents experiencing dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and other complex medical conditions.
The allocation follows a two-year effort by St. Louis Center with the support of state leaders who recognized the growing need for specialized aging and memory care.
“Our residents deserve the opportunity to age with the same dignity, compassion, and sense of family they have always known at St. Louis Center,” said Fr. Satheesh Alphonse, SdC, CEO of the Center. “This investment helps ensure we can continue providing that care for generations to come.”
As adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities live longer than ever before, many face age-related conditions that require specialized care. Families often discover there are few options designed to meet those unique needs.
Plans include a dedicated memory care area, an expanded nursing station, an additional examination room, and a Snoezelen multisensory therapy room that uses calming lights, sounds, and textures to reduce anxiety and improve quality of life. The renovation will strengthen clinical care and meet residents’ increasing medical needs, reducing unnecessary hospital visits.
St. Louis Center is grateful to State Representative Kathy Schmaltz for her leadership and advocacy in securing this important investment and to State Representative Carrie Rheingans, who toured the campus in 2025 to learn more about the Center’s growing need for expanded memory care and clinical services.
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