As persons with developmental disabilities grow older and/or experience a degenerative condition due to a characteristic of their diagnosed disability, an advanced care crisis has emerged. Many individuals with developmental disabilities are place in nursing homes staffed with personnel who are not experienced in attending to their special needs After two years of nationwide research, the Annandale Village Board of Trustees made a decision to address the needs of this special population.

The long awaited Laura Grier Center for Special Care is now open. The Center was originally named in honor of Laura Grier McKinney, granddaughter of the late D. Scott and Jacqueline Hudgens; now in her memory as Laura Grier passed away in 2003. The D. Scott Hudgens Family Foundation contributed over $2.2 million to Annandale Village in an effort to help bridge the gap in service needs for those with MR/DD or traumatic brain injuries.

The center is composed of two wings. The Laura Grier House provides 24 hour assisted living for up to 16 residents. Many adults with special needs experience a decrease in independent living skills due to aging and/or characteristics of their disability. Annandale is providing attentive care for these individuals through appropriate increased assisted living support.