Char Hu's mission when opening Georgetown Living, an Alzheimer's disease care facility in Georgetown, was to create a stimulating environment for people with the disease, he said.

"We've started focusing on just our approach to Alzheimer care, which is very unique," Hu said. "We're very proactive when it comes to our residents, stimulating them and coming up with activities and a ton of social interaction to battle that depression that starts to happen when you get older and you start realizing you have something like Alzheimer's disease or dementia."

The family-owned and -operated facility opened in January 2010 with 16 beds, and in November 2011, the center opened a second 9,000-square-foot building with room for an additional 16 residents.

Georgetown Living features specially designed floor plans, coloring and lighting to help residents in any stage of Alzheimer's disease.

"Our motivation from day one was to have a very intensive approach toward [resident care]," Hu said.

Hu earned a Ph.D. from Baylor College of Medicine while researching biochemical mechanisms used to care for Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Hu is developing a software package with the help of some of his former professors that he hopes to commercialize and make available for other care facilities that would help track and monitor residents' statuses.

Georgetown Living, 2700 Shell Road, 863-9888, www.gtownliving.com