In 1991 the New York State Veterans' Home in Oxford determined there was a need for a specialized care unit for those individuals with dementia. The unit was then designed with secure care alarms to allow these individuals to ambulate safely throughout the unit. This specialized unit houses individuals with varying degrees of dementia. The residents' basic needs of sustaining life, health, spirit, and individuality are met with the assurance of a team of trained staff. The team cares for, manages, and intervenes with the precept that these are residents who are at risk, vulnerable, and often unaware of the consequences of their own actions.

The maintenance of this higher quality of life is further accomplished by reducing and/or eliminating the need of restraints, training of staff to the environment, unique activities programming, and the involvement of the family in providing care.