Doctor Makes House Calls at Woodstock Memory Care Community

Staff Report

Autumn Leaves of Towne Lake, an innovative memory care community that recently opened in Woodstock, is announcing a partnership with geriatric specialist Dr. Gary S. Figiel of Southeastern Geriatric Healthcare Group. Dr. Figiel will provide specialized medical care to residents at the community.

Dr. Figiel is highly trained in the early diagnosis and management of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Autumn Leaves of Towne Lake is the first and only free-standing memory care community in Woodstock. The 28,000 square foot memory care community specializes in caring for residents living with Alzheimer’s, dementia and memory impairment.

“At Autumn Leaves, we provide high quality care and services to our residents and their families,” said Susan Tidwell, executive director of Autumn Leaves of Towne Lake. “Dr. Figiel has focused on memory care for more than 20 years, and we are thrilled to partner with him. He is a true expert in the field, and by having him come to our community on a regular basis, it will give the residents easy access to the healthcare they need.”

Through this partnership, residents at Autumn Leaves of Towne Lake will be offered the opportunity to have Figiel as their primary care doctor. He will be at the community weekly to provide regular exams, treatments, and medication regulation, while working with the nurses and caregivers on staff. The community will also have access to him around the clock via telephone.

“I am pleased to be working with Autumn Leaves in working towards our mutual goal of providing the highest level of care and highest quality of life for our patients, while minimizing decline from medical problems,” Dr. Figiel said. “In summary, I applaud Autumn Leaves’ goal of providing the highest level of care.”

Figiel created geriatric programs at Duke University, Washington University, Wesley Woods at Emory University, and the Eastside Heritage Center in Snellville. He is trained in the early diagnosis and management of memory disorders, including Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. In 2003, he started Southeastern Geriatric Healthcare Group in Atlanta. He graduated from St. Louis University School of Medicine in 1985, and he completed his internship, residency, and fellowship at Duke University.

“Dr. Figiel is a breath of fresh air to medicine,” said Christa Hoffman, Director of Healthcare for Autumn Leaves of Towne Lake. “It’s a challenge to find someone with such a level of expertise and also a great bedside manner. Families are blown away by how he engages with them, and we are impressed with how well he communicates with the residents and staff.”

In addition to his partnership with Autumn Leaves of Towne Lake, Figiel is also working with Autumn Leaves of Sugarloaf in Suwanee.

“Families have always been very impressed by Dr. Figiel,” said Kim Waid, director of sales and marketing for Autumn Leaves of Towne Lake. “He uses his understanding of both the physical and mental side of memory care to determine what will work best for his patients. He is incredible at what he does.”

(Photo: Dr. Gary S. Figiel)