A New Albany radiologist's response to his wife's Alzheimer's diagnosis is becoming what organizers describe as Ohio's first freestanding non-medical dementia respite care center, set to open at 7293 Sawmill Road in Dublin by early October.
Lisa's Place, named for founder Dr. Ken Vitellas' wife, will offer adult day programming and respite care for individuals with early- to moderate-stage Alzheimer's and other dementias. The facility gives caregivers structured time to rest while their loved ones participate in supervised activities.
"This curse on Lisa came with a blessing to me and the community," Vitellas told the Columbus Dispatch. "Without going through this journey with Lisa, EnergizeCare would never have been created."
Vitellas, a radiologist at Mount Carmel New Albany Surgical Hospital, began working from home to care for Lisa after her diagnosis. He and his three adult daughters navigated the disease together before he decided to build a resource for other families facing the same isolation. He launched the nonprofit EnergizeCare in early 2025.
The organization has raised $150,000 through its first gala and individual donors, funding that helped make Lisa's Place possible.
EnergizeCare already runs respite sessions on Saturdays and Sundays at Healthy New Albany and Thursdays at the Columbus Zoo from April through October. Its signature programming includes "Memory Discos," silent discos built specifically for people with dementia.
Vitellas told the Dispatch that most communities only see Alzheimer's when it reaches a crisis point, such as a hospitalization, a wandering episode or the transition to long-term care, after families have been living with the disease privately for years. Lisa's Place aims to reach families earlier.
Jim Mendenhall, an EnergizeCare board member and care partner to his wife of 40 years, Gail, said the organization's rapid growth has surprised him. "This thing's going to get bigger. I could see it going nationwide," Mendenhall told the Dispatch.
The Dublin Ohio Daily reported Aug. 23 that the center is on track for an early October opening. EnergizeCare held a ribbon-cutting at the Sawmill Road location in June.
Residents can learn more or register for respite care at energizecareoh.org.
Upcoming community events:
- Thursday, Aug. 27: Night at the Disco tennis and pickleball fundraiser at The Country Club at Muirfield Village, 6 p.m. The event benefits Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio. General admission $100. Register at rmhc-centralohio.org/racquets-for-rmhc.
