Ground broken for first Alzheimer's/memory impairment residence.

Castle Senior Living, LLC, a leading provider of supportive living for seniors, broke ground at a recent ceremony for the first free-standing facility in New York City dedicated exclusively for persons with Alzheimer's or other forms of memory impairment. The ceremony took place at the residence located at 430 East 80th Street (between 1st and York Avenues).

Because of the importance to the city, the ceremony boasted a long list of distinguished public officials in attendance. Among the over 15 distinguished officials who attended were: Chairman of the Board of CUNY, Herman Badillo, whose late wife, Irma, had Alzheimer's for a decade; City Council Speaker Peter F. Vallone; Budget Committee Chair Herbert E. Berman; and Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields.

Commissioner of the Department for the Aging, Herbert W. Stupp, delivered Mayor Giuliani's remarks.

The 80th Street Residence, a stately nine-story building, had been a vacant shell for the last four years before Castle undertook its total renovation, thereby eliminating a neighborhood eyesore. Castle expects the facility, which will house 70 seniors, to open its doors in the fall.

The 80th Street Residence staff has been trained by the Alzheimer's Association and will offer many innovative programs, such as workshops for families of its residents. These workshops will help families cope with the stress and exhaustion that accompanies caring for a family member or friend with Alzheimer's or other forms of memory impairment.

A resource center at the residence, open to the public, will contain the most up-to-date literature on memory impairment. The 80th Street Residence is affiliated with New York-Presbyterian Hospital and its Irving Sherwood Wright Center on Aging. There will be an examination room on the premises so that physicians can make "house calls."

Stanley Diamond, chairman of Castle Senior Living, said "This state-of-he-art facility offered at The 80th Street Residence will set the standard in the senior housing industry for people living with all forms of memory impairment."

Castle's mission is to provide a caring and compassionate environment for residents to live in comfort and dignity in a home-like setting. The 80th Street Residence-will give its residents a feeling of living in a family-like, close-knit community. Independence and friendship are stressed through activities which allow residents to pursue their interests, while recognizing their abilities and needs."

The staff's education never stops. "They are trained to recognize the needs of our residents, and communicate the latest advances in memory impairment care," said

"Family participation is strongly encouraged, and together-with our knowledgeable staff, we promote a setting of understanding which will help dispel the-myths and stigma related to all forms of memory impairment."

The 80th Street Residence features a community garden, tea room, concierge and examination room on its first floor. Its lower level, which will be highlighted with murals that represent the surrounding neighborhood, will have a beauty/barber shop, bistro, flower shop area and a theater.