Specialized Alzheimer's and Dementia care that brings daily comfort, engagement and joy.
The impact of memory loss can be devastating. At Sayre Christian Village, we understand and consider everyone involved when it comes to specialized memory care. Our highly trained team works with those with memory loss from Alzheimer’s or dementia to ensure the highest quality of life. With over 40 years of delivering the best senior living in Lexington, Kentucky, our daily mission is to engage each resident in a way that preserves their choices, promotes their current abilities and supports their independence in a secure environment.
Families are also provided assistance to help them understand and cope with the challenges presented by memory loss. We always welcome family members to visit their loved ones frequently, and to take advantage of every amenity offered at Sayre Christian Village. Share a meal in the dining room, take a stroll through the courtyard, or play a game in the common area.
When our team of caregivers get to spend time with families, we get to understand more about our new friend. Likes, dislikes, hobbies, past times, childhood memories, occupations, family members and milestones all provide our team with an opportunity for a deeper level of connection and understanding. This knowledge transforms into personalized activities and conversations that promote exceptional care for your loved one.
Our Residents Feel Safe, Secure and Valued with the Best Friends™ Approach to Memory Care.
A hallmark of our memory care program is the Best Friends™ approach to dementia care. This comprehensive approach was developed in the 1990s by Virginia Bell and David Troxel while they were conducting research at the University of Kentucky's Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. The trademarked approach is based on the idea that the single most important thing a person with dementia needs, is a "best friend." A best friend understands their situation, empathizes with them, is steadfast with love and support, and is dedicated to helping the person feel safe, secure and valued at all times.
The Best Friends™ approach is a cornerstone of our staff training and allows us to provide these value promises to our residents in our memory care program:
- Recognize the basic rights of a person with dementia
- Understand what it is like to have dementia
- Know and use the person’s life story
- Know just what to say when communication is breaking down
- Develop the ‘knack’ of great dementia care
- Experience meaningful engagement throughout the day
- Recast the relationship and your language from staff to best friend
Studies have shown that individuals suffering from dementia benefit from a specialized memory care program, such as the Best Friends™ approach. It decreases isolation, depression, and gives them an overall better quality of life.
Friendship Towers' Best Friends™ Certified Master Trainer is Angela Mullins, Life Enrichment Director. Angela demonstrated mastery of the principles and practices of the Best Friends™ approach to dementia care and has the responsibility of leading co-workers in the provision of this superior, person-centered care model. Maintaining a Master Trainer Certification requires completion of yearly certification standards, which ensure fidelity in ongoing implementation and sustainability. Written information relating to this community's or facility's services and policies is available on request. (KRS 216.595 (1) (b).
Contact Us to learn more about the Best Friends™ approach to memory care program offered at Sayre Christian Village in the Friendship Towers community.
Healthcare Center Amenities
- State-of-the-art Rehabilitation Center
- OT Therapy Kitchen
- Sayre Healthcare Center’s Life Enrichment Program
- Therapeutic Life Enrichment Activities
- Chapel
- Life Enrichment Dining & Event Center
- Courtyards
- Dayroom Lounges
Life Enrichment Options by Location
Healthcare Center Dining
At Sayre Healthcare Center, three well-balanced meals are served daily in the Life Enrichment Center, day rooms, or in the comfort of resident rooms.
Guests are always welcome; meal tickets are available at the front desk for a small fee. Snacks are available at any time.
We have a full-time Registered Dietician on staff and a culinary team that cares about the residents' dining preferences and enjoyment.
Most therapeutic diets are able to be accommodated.
Health Services
Sayre Healthcare Center provides medical services as part of our Continuing Care Retirement Community. Villagers have priority access to services. We strive to create an environment that promotes quality of life and freedom of choice. Health Services are there if and when they are needed. Sayre Christian Village has been enabling residents to age in place for 40+ years!
Worship Services
We are blessed to have a full-time Chaplain on staff to be a part of your spiritual journey, to lead worship and weekly Bible studies.
Frequently Asked Questions
We Prioritize Our Sayre Christian Village Community
Our first responsibility is to those residing at Sayre Christian Village community. Because of this, our long-term nursing beds, skilled memory care units, and short-term rehab rooms are most often filled from within, OR those that are coming directly from the hospital.
If we have an opening and can meet your loved one’s care needs, we will follow up directly in response to your inquiry.
We May Not Be Able to Return Every Inquiry
Due to the high number of inquiries we receive, we’re unable to respond unless we have a potential opening that matches your needs. Please know this isn’t a reflection of your loved one’s importance; we simply want to be respectful of your time and transparent about our process of serving our own residents first and those that are coming directly from the hospital.
Tours Are by Invitation
We’re currently only offering tours to families and hospital caseworkers we’ve reached out to for possible move-ins. This helps our team stay focused on both the care of our current Villagers and the thoughtful evaluation of new admissions.
What’s Required for Admission
To be considered for admission to Sayre Healthcare Center:
- An H&P that is less than 30 days old or a current discharge summary
- A bed must be available
- Our team must be able to meet your loved one’s specific care needs
Some placements happen quickly, while others may take days or even weeks, depending on the situation. Each request and inquiry is carefully considered, regardless of the ability to follow up.
Ready to Inquire?
Please submit an inquiry through our Contact Us page. We’ll reach out if a potential match becomes available.
Thank you for your understanding, your grace, and your trust in Sayre Christian Village.
Dr. Paul Ilkanich is a Board-Certified Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physician who works in conjunction with our Medical Director for the best outcomes for our residents and their families. As a physiatrist, his focus is on restoring function, improving quality of life, and managing pain.
How having a physiatrist on staff benefits residents and families:
Faster pain relief
- On-site expertise means quicker evaluation and treatment decisions
- Reduces wait time for outside referrals and appointments
Targeted, non-surgical pain management
- Specialized in restoring function and reducing pain from strokes, falls, fractures, and chronic conditions
- Uses therapies, medications, and interventions tailored to each resident
Stronger rehab outcomes
- Works alongside therapy teams to adjust plans in real time
- Helps residents progress more efficiently and safely
Shorter length of stay (when appropriate)
- Faster treatment = quicker recovery milestones
- Supports smoother, earlier transitions back home or to the next level of care
Better coordination of care
- Aligns nursing, therapy, and medical treatment under one plan
- Reduces fragmentation and delays
Added support for hospice & palliative care
- Focus on comfort, pain control, and quality of life
- Helps manage complex symptoms with a compassionate, function-focused approach
Peace of mind for families
- Less waiting, fewer appointments off-site
- Confidence that pain and recovery are being actively managed every day on campus
Due to the high demand for our care services, we require a bed hold agreement for those requesting a room while making their final decision.
This ensures that families who are ready to move forward are not turned away while others are still in the decision-making process. The bed hold secures your loved one’s space and allows us to plan more effectively for everyone’s care needs.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we strive to serve all families with transparency and fairness.
Written information relating to this community's or facility's services and policies is available on request. (KRS 216.595 (1) (b).
All staff, from maintenance team to the nurses are trained in the Best Friends™ Approach upon hire and based on their position, have different levels of continuing education. In this community, the staff are not 'staff' to the residents. They are trained to approach every encounter as if interacting with their best friend for the day.
Please visit our Volunteer page to learn more.
Sayre Healthcare Center is certified for Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement.
Private pay, private insurance, and most other payer sources are also accepted. (Humana, Aetna, United Healthcare, VA)
Helpful links:
What Friends & Family Say
A very close friend of ours lives here now and we're so grateful this place exists. He's very well taken care of and loves being there. The staff is excellent and it's a good community. Clean and well kept. The surrounding campus is nice too, and it's in a decent neighborhood. We're very happy with it.
Aaron Jones
I love everything about Sayre Christian Village. All the steps that have taken and are taking to keep COVID out are truly impressive. Also, I believe their faith-based approach to care giving gives them a leg up.
Biff Buckley
I have had the pleasure of seeing the care that Friendship Towers gives to their residents. The staff truly cares for the residents and their families. They have fun, engaging activities and the residents feel a great sense of community. A wonderful place for seniors to thrive!
Amy Broaddrick
Lexington's Most Awarded Senior Living Community
For more than 40 years, Sayre Christian Village has been the trusted choice for senior living in Lexington, Kentucky. Our single campus offers a full range of senior care - independent living, senior apartments, assisted living, skilled memory care, and skilled nursing - along with short-term rehab and respite care. We are the only nonprofit continuing care retirement community in Fayette County and the largest skilled nursing community in the county. Our residents have voted us Lexington's favorite retirement community for 9 years running, and our Life Enrichment Department is the most awarded in the city. The recognition we have received - from Caring.com, GreatNonprofits, the Herald-Leader, Smiley Pete's, and Candid - reflects a consistent standard of care our team has built over four decades.
