Reprinted with permission of The Hogeweyk: ©Copyright 2015 Be Advice/De Hogeweyk/Vivium Zorggroep
This article is Best Alzheimer’s Products’ most successful, most viewed, and most shared of all time. In the months following its publication (August, 2013) it was viewed by over 500,000 visitors from around the world. The story was originally brought to our attention by a CNN report. You can see that telecast below in this post.
It is Dr. Sanjay Gupta and the CNN telecast that dubbed the care community in the Netherlands “Dementia Village”, but that is a name that the founders are not particularly fond of, so we will limit our use of the moniker. In fact, with the help of Jannette Spiering, senior managing advisor & founder The Hogeweyk®, our original article has undergone a major revision.
Ms Spiering contacted us recently asking if we would be willing to make some modifications and corrections. This from the founder! Of course we are willing to make some changes. Accuracy is a primary goal of the Best Alzheimer’s blog.
The Hogeweyk®, located in the Netherlands, is the only care facility of it’s kind in the world and is home to 188 people living with severe dementia to whom they provide highly skilled nursing home care The care concept was already developed in 1993 by the existing management team after exploring the question: How do you want to live if you are diagnosed with dementia? The answer was that the traditional nursing homes were not what they preferred. ‘Dementia Village’* is a place where residents live a normal life, where they have the freedom to be outside, socialize with other residents or just enjoy what’s going on in the neighborhood.
The Hogeweyk has 27 homes were 7 residents live together, supported by care staff. The entrance to the community is guarded by a receptionist during daytime. Residents can leave the the community but must be accompanied by family or staff or a volunteer
Residents are free to roam around, visit the supermarket or the restaurant, get their hair done or be active in one of the 25 clubs available at The Hogeweyk. As well as the psychological benefits this provides, staying active also improves general physical health. The residents here take fewer medications, eat better and seem to live longer. And although joy is a hard thing to measure, the staff at the Hogeweyk think the residents are more content on a day to day to basis because they experience a more meaningful life then those living in traditional nursing homes.
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*We do not like the term Dementia Village because it is stigmatizing. CNN dubbed us with that name. We prefer to talk about a neighborhood or community or or just : The Hogeweyk ~ Jannette Spiering, senior managing advisor & founder
Is The Hogeweyk Dementia Village the future of Dementia Care?
Germany and Switzerland have been studying the Hogeweyk and might be next to create their own dementia care villages. there are followers of the concept all around the world : Italy, New-Zealand, Australia, Sweden. Can something like this work in the United States? Would you prefer to send your loved ones to a Dementia Village?
That last paragraph was written in 2013 when this article was originally published. Things have change since then. The founders of the original “Dementia Village” have since created an organization to extend their vision of compassionate care for people with dementia. Be Advice “supports and advises healthcare organizations, governments, architects, project developers and entrepreneurs around the world to improve the quality of life of people with dementia.”
Reprinted with permission of The Hogeweyk: ©Copyright 2015 Be Advice/De Hogeweyk/Vivium Zorggroep
It’s working. People in other countries and continents are creating their own “places” where people with Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive disorders can live their lives “as normally as possible.” It’s happening in Germany and Italy and Norway. It’s happening in Australia and New Zealand. And it is starting to happen in the United States. Communities based on the model developed at Hogeweyk are popping up all over the world.
Dementia Village Associates is another organization that grew out of the success of the original community in the Netherlands. DVA helped with the original concept and did the architectural design:
DVA Dementia Village® Associates -together with our partners- advise our clients on the inseparable hardware (build environment/development and business case) and software (vision and organization); an holistic approach in Dementia care. All our projects are aiming for social inclusivity, connect generations, supporting the community and are feasible on organization and financial side.
If you are serious about creating a de-institutionalized, person centered care community we highly recommend that you contact both We and DVA. They exist to help others create their dreams.
So the answer to the question above is “Yes”; something like this can work in the United States. As you can see, the ideas that built The Hogeweyk are taking hold around the world. With guidance and encouragement from Be Advice, Center for Hospice Care, in South Bend, Indiana, operates “a day centre for people living with dementia and their caregivers”. Milton Adult Day Services which opened recently continues to receive a positive reception from the care community and the press.
Sadly, when we moved our blog to our new website, we lost our social sharing stats, but this blog post went viral and was shared more than 500,000 times over the course of a few months. Obviously this is a subject people care deeply about and we plan to write more posts like this one. If you know of any inspiring places or stories we should share please let us know!
Dementia Village on CNN with Dr. Sanjay Gupta
See the CNN report that broke the story about this incredible community in the United States. Sanjay Gupta visited the village to learn how dementia care should be done!
“Is it time to rethink how we care for dementia patients?”
That is the title of a recent (January 19, 2023) radio show hosted by WBUR in Boston. The program guests included Iris Van Slooten, advisor at Be Advice. You can hear that broadcast by clicking below.
Some time ago we (all of us at Best Alzheimer’s Products) were throwing around the idea of putting a care community like this into abandoned shopping malls; there are a lot of them around the country. So, we found it interesting that among the guests of this radio program was Emily Roberts, an associate professor of interior design at Oklahoma State University. She is looking into doing just that.
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This is such a wonderful place. I was wondering how to get involved in opening a community like this in Canada? If you have any information please reach out!
I think a good first step would be to follow this link == https://www.ozy.com/the-new-and-the-next/the-rise-of-dementia-villages-the-happiest-places-on-earth/79270/
There is a group that is very near to bringing the Hogewey idea to the United States. They left a comment on one of our Facebook posts and directed readers to https://www.dementiavillage.com/ to learn more. This is a great idea, and many of our readers agree, as comments on this post affirm. I have toyed with the idea of at least investigating the possibility of building one, likely somewhere in the Midwest or in the East. Anyone like to join us???
I really believe in this design and bringing the model/concept to N. America. How can this happen? How can I get involved in it (live in Canada)?
I think there are two things you can do, Sarah. First, look for a group in Canada. If you can find one near you, better. If you find none, start one yourself. I know it can seem daunting, but that is how great things begin. Let me know what you discover. I would like to help like-minded people get together on this.
I also dislike our long term care centers here. I’ve been in the building industry for 13 years and would love to help build something like this. I recently (for the first time) worked as a medication manager at a long term care/assisted living facility in Iowa. The care givers are over worked, under paid and don’t have much time for the elderly. It seems as though these places are only concerned about meeting minimum requirements vs. exceeding those. They (the ltc facilites) nickel and dime the residents for every thing! These residents are paying upwards of 3,000 per month and their food isn’t “real” food. There is so much more. I wanted to name this facility To The Moon and Back Elderly Care. I’ve also started a newsletter to come out in December.
Hi Karen,
Have you made any progress as to being involving building a facility as this in the US?
So Beautiful To see This I have Traveled around the world and There DONT have place like this But there so involved with there Family Together with Alzheimer’s Love to see more in other Countries
Agreed! Hopefully, this is the new face of dementia care. Unfortunately, new things and ideas usually take way too much time to implement and to become the norm, no matter how good they are.
Here is an informative link — https://www.ozy.com/the-new-and-the-next/the-rise-of-dementia-villages-the-happiest-places-on-earth/79270/
Hi John,
I absolutely love the idea of this and am interested in knowing about that group starting one in the US! I realize this post is over a year old so maybe with a little more surfing around, I cna find more information. I live in Texas and am very interested in possibly getting involved in this concept! I will also be in Amsterdam in April … do you know id they allow visitors to Hogewey. I know Dr. Gupta said the don’t but possibly they do now?
Thanks, Debi
Dementia Care is very close to my own heart. At Present I am studying for a Degree. I believe individuals worldwide, especially in England UK, would benefit profoundly with better dementia care. I absolutely believe and support these ideas.
The came up in my Facebook memories from 2015. If there hasn’t already been one built in the states we surely do need one still specially after year and a half we have gone through. We need some joy and hope for humanity like this. Build one and they will come please and thanks. From the 518ofNYS I thank whoever can do this!!
I’m all for building a dementia village in the northeast where we r known for our prestigious hospitals. How can I help?
Hi Lisa,
I am pleased to see that there are people in this country still interested in this concept. Earlier I referenced a post == https://www.ozy.com/the-new-and-the-next/the-rise-of-dementia-villages-the-happiest-places-on-earth/79270/. This is still a good place to start. A Netherlands based consultant firm (DVA Dementia Village) is working to help develop locations around the world based on the Hogeweyk concept == https://www.dementiavillage.com/. They are on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/dva-dementia-village/. This site does mention a Hogeweyk inspired residence in Hudson Hills, NJ. Your reference to prestigious hospitals makes me think you are thinking about the Boston area, But NJ is relatively close.
As far as helping goes, you may have to be a pioneer rather than an aide. This is a concept still in its infancy. But, judging by the response we continue to get to this post we think you could find co0conspirators without much trouble. It will be an arduous process, but surely a rewarding one as well.
The website DVA Dementia Village has a graphic that outlines the process you will likely have to complete to meet your goal. I include that chart here pending permission from the authors.
Hi there,
Im trying my luck here but I was hoping that someone can tell me the contact details of Hogewey dementia village please?
My father had dementia. He occasionally became violent or inappropriately sexual. Are there safeguards in place for such eventualities?
I have the same question, Pam! I’ve been searching online for any mention of this and haven’t found information from a dementia village on how these situations are addressed. This article does mention having twice the amount of staff to residents, but nothing directly discussing interventions and management of resident-to-resident violence and abuse. Any facts about this from those who know would be great! We all have aging loved ones and these are very real concerns as we all grow older and look for appropriate care in the event that we can no longer provide that ourselves.
it’s different Because care givers are so well Trained Because you Treat them like it’s your family not as just care giver I Dislike how there treated in other Countries like there not normal you have to have a Heart ❤️ compassion Keep busy know when it’s time to let them be alone but really supervised with cameras at all Times
I have only dreamed of a facility where the client is the focus. Ultimately budget always takes precedent. We should all be so lucky to wind up in a facility such as this one.
I have had two parents with Alzheimer and have seen and experienced many levels of care…but can attest that the Eden philosophy is an amazing approach and can be found at many facilities in Canada and internationally! I was lucky enough to get my mother into Czorny Alzheimers Center in Surrey British Columbia for the last few years of her life and can only hope that I will be treated with such respect in my later years regardless of what state my mind is in! An amazing approach to a devastating disease!
It sounds like a new and different way to care for dementia and alzheimers patients…I appreciate that the door getting out is locked and I hope that the door getting IN is always UNLOCKED.
Did it say how large of an area this place covers?
I cant say that i love this idea…dont hate it either though.
I am reminded of when some people talk about prisoners, and prisons they often say something like just put them on an island somewhere, etc.
When they built it in 2009, it was a 1.5 hectare (four-acre) complex that has 23 housing units. I’m not sure if it has expanded since then. The main ideas behind the security (locked doors) for this place aren’t new to dementia units, it’s only what they have put inside these doors that have changed. https://www.cnn.com/2013/07/11/world/europe/wus-holland-dementia-village/
WOW , I BET THAT IT IS EXPENSIVE TO STAY THERE IF YOU WANT ( OR NEED TO ) WHAT ARE THE REST OF US GOING TO DO . THIS WILL BE THE NEXT CORPORATE STEP IN KEEPING SHARE HOLDERS HAPPY . I HOPE IM NOT HERE ANYMORE IF I CANT MANAGE MYSELF . BUT BY THEN THEY SAY THAT YOU DONT KNOW ANYWAY . I HOPE THE PEOPLE I KNOW AND LOVE UNDERSTAND WHEN IM NOT HERE .
I know exactly how you feel, Frank. I worry sometimes about how I will manage if at some point I need extensive healthcare for any reason. We all really do need comprehensive healthcare no matter where we live. That’s not entitlement – that’s one of the perks of living in a modern society. Without it an argument can be made that that society is not modern.
I am a caregiver to my parents. My parents don’t have dementia but there are many in our local care home. Quality care is compromised all the time due to no ratios in Canada , short staffed, and burnt out workers. The whole system needs an overhaul. I love your approach.
Hi, I think its a fabulous idea and facility, and can be part of a variety of options for care, dependent upon the persons needs/dementia level. Years ago society was structured in families and close knit communities, where care of the elderly and infirm was shared. Then the pendulum swang completely from personal/family responsibility to collective/societal responsibility where we expect ‘the government’ to step in. Perhaps the pendulum can now come to a place of balance between the two, where families are supported to look after their elderly relatives at home. I moved my mother in with me last year after 8 years of supporting her to live independently in her own home. I am single, I have to work to support myself, I have carers coming in for 6hours a day so mum has 1on 1 care. She needs 24hr supervision. She gets direct payments from the local authority to pay for her care, so she is the ’employer’ and we get to chose the carers and their rate/conditions of pay. You don’t have to put dementia sufferers into institutions, there are alternatives. X
I would love this to happen in the us My dad is going through this now and I think this would be a great alternative to a home.
Can’t imagine the cost of a facility/program this size and how much the residents pay. Most of the elderly cannot afford care facilities and I know for a fact our government can’t flip the bill were strapped as it is.
In the Netherlands, where Hogewey is, they take care of their elderly. Residents do not pay anything. It’s unfortunate that in other countries, the level of care depends on how much one can pay. On the other hand, residents who do pay for their care certainly deserve better than they are getting in most cases. When you think of how much a monthly fee is in many care communities, couldn’t we use that money to offer better quality of care?
Great idea wish canada would do this
Don’t vote conservative or liberal!! Cutting all nurses!! Bringing in new model for care .. Whic,h means untrained lpns !! And yeah privatization as well ! 1 care aide for sometimes between 6-9 people and that’s what I do in extended care in BC!! Oh and let’s cut the wages!! You take your car to a mechanic and pay them upwards of close to 100 an hour!! I looked after humans.. Living people for 23 an hour! Ridiculous and people think we make to much!i love granny’s and grampas and couldn’t survive myself on less.. But wait.. Bringing in boat loads of foreigners will do it for a lot less to send money to their families abroad!
You clearly should not be a nurse. Un-trained LPN’s?? I have met more amazing and well trained LPN’s than ive met RN’s. Anyone can go get a nursing degree, but it takes a loving, compassionate, selfless person to truly be one. And sadly, there are way too many people like you who are at the hands of our precious loved ones. Real nurses do their work because of the passion they have for helping others. Yes, we all need to make a living….but being a nurse is first about making a difference, not money. And foreigners??? Arent they people?? And if they come to our country to work they arent taking yours or anyone elses jobs. They are usually working the minimum wage jobs that lazy un-employed selfish americans refuse to do and who would rather collect welfare. I truly pray that no helpless, sick, “foreigner” is ever at your mercy. People are people, and being a nurse means there Is no discriminating, no borders, no “foreigners”. Saving and caring for lives is GLOBAL!!!!
I have read this once before and think the concept is wonderful. I have been a care nursing assistant for nearly 20 years specializing in dementia care. I have worked for 3 different company’s striving to make changes as the whole institution concept is sad and scary. I have seen it all and am appalled at the way we look after our seniors here in Canada. Our home are expensive and the folks do not receive even close to adequate care. Not that there is not some fantastic people working there, there is just no time nor are the companies interested in making things better for the elderly, for them it is only about the MONEY. I know I will never put my folks in a home. If I had the capita and a group of like minded people I would build my own home, but for now I must take time off for the sadness of it all can get to you.
Thank you for sharing Carrie! I am shocked to hear all of these horror stories about elder care from Canadians. I thought healthcare in Canada was far better than the U.S., but it sounds very similar in all of these comments.
All we can do is spread stories like these as much as possible in hopes that they eventually get into the right hands – whether it be government or people with a lot of money to spare.
stay passionate and thank you for all that you do!
This sounds amazing but could something like this be implemented here in Canada and in what capacity could it become a reality!!!!
Wow…. This is so what we need here in Nova Scotia for our residents with dementia!!!! It takes very special people to work with people with this illness as it does with any type of illness. This idea is so a home and normal life. I would so love to do this.
Way to go ladies!!!!!!!
I quit long term care after 21 years as I could no longer deal with the collapse of the health care system in Saskatchewan, Canada. We had 1 aide to 6 Residents and 1 Nurse to 35 Residents. I was that one Nurse, not safe at all! I quit because I could not provide quality care and could not take the guilt of not being the Nurse I trained to be. How can anyone nurse 35 Residents at one time and give good, consistent care, you can’t. I got out so I would cause no one harm. The health system is cutting staff so they will never see 2 to 1 nursing care. The elderly are the last on the list of priorities in Canada even though the politicians who control the money will need long term care sometime in their future. I would go back to nursing in a heart beat if we had the system that the above article talks about.
Thanks for sharing Jason, I hope that one day you will find yourself back in the profession you’re passionate about! I am sorry to hear things are so poorly managed in Canada, much like they are in the U.S. We all have to keep talking and making things like healthcare and our elders a matter of importance.
I work in a long term care facility near (Cleveland Ohio USA) This is so much better than the current program we have. It is a daily one on one 1/2 hour session that includes simple math, simple reading aloud and matching numbered chips to corresponding numbers on magnetic board. Naturally the residents are at different levels.The sad part is this is an extra service that the family’s pay for,so not everyone benefits from it. After their session they are just taken back to a common area or their room with no further social interaction until lunch or dinner The program we have is called SAIDO it was was developed in Japan.
This makes me so angry. These 1/2 hour sessions are completely inadequate. And then to ask the family to pay for it! They should be ashamed of themselves. Every facility, should have an Activity Director that provides daily activities for every resident at the resident’s level of ability. This is an expected part of providing care. Attention families! Be more demanding. Get in there and find out how the care community that your loved one is in is being cared for. Bring your own activities to do with your loved one when you visit. A CD player with favorite music, a stuffed animal for comfort, an easy puzzle that you can do together, a family photo album that will bring back memories and always, when weather permits, go outside. Caregivers have little time to spend one on one outdoors. We all need to be more proactive.
What about bathing, meds, toileting, etc?
There is no possible way that this could ever become a reality in nova Scotia. The senior care facilities we have now are already struggling. My fiance’s grandmother was on a waiting list for the first available room at whatever facility had a spot open for two years before she was placed. She now lives in a closed ward of a facility with not near enough staff to meet her needs *and* keep her active. If the poor soul still had her faculties she would be appalled at the state they leave her in all day. Not a day went by that she didn’t dress to the nines and she had her hair done every 3 weeks like clockwork. Now she sits in a bed in a nightgown with her teeth on the bedside table. Tell me, if we can’t afford enough staff for existing facilities who the heck is going to pay for 400 staff to run this eutopia? And what pensioner could afford it??? It’s certainly a dream, but that’s where it ends. Canada does not place our elderly very high on the priority list. Officials would rather pander to the youth, trying to keep them in the province to keep us afloat than take care of our rapidly aging population. A sad truth.
IMAGINE all long term care residences being set up and run like this……. keeping everyone active….. and socializing…. with MEGA support…..
This is amazing and is so what we need here in soutg wales (United kingdom) x
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwiOBlyWpko This video helped me a lot with understanding this concept. I was a little skeptical but now I am more interested in seeing something like this come about.
In a perfect world this would be nice 🙁
Folks, not everybody understands the process of Alzheimer’s. it’s basic understanding is being trapped in a body, You cant escape from, lived in it all Your Life. yet You can not remember. would it not be better,to wonder in a little town where You are safe, than been put in a chair so You cant run away?
Absolutely fantastic. I doubt whether it would ever happen in the UK … our politicians just wouldn’t spend the money on the initial outlay sadly. My dad has dementia and he is so fit, he’s classed as a “wanderer” … he could do with alot more going on to stimulate his mind … his physical health is 100%, but sadly he needs 24 hour supervision.
I’m sorry to hear that Wendy. And yes I agree, in the United States, an idea like this would probably need to be privately funded. Although we are getting some new facilities built around memory care, I’ve never seen anything of this caliber in the U.S. Although the more common dementia becomes and the more people it effects – the greater the need and *hopefully* the more traction ideas like this will get.
If you are looking for activities for dementia try Best Alzheimer’s Products – 100s of games, activities, etc. for people with Alzheimer’s and dementia. I wish you and your dad the best.
Excellent idea a mall not in use there are lots in detroit I am acare giver yes a cure would be wonderful and you speak of the cost we have that now if you have3500 plus a month u get the pool tables the vaulted ceilings piped in music dinnersettings well you get the idea or for 1000 you get abed food and one caregiver for every 17 patients dont look down on anything that may help one senior they have lived worked and saved and should have what they can afford there is nooooodoubt that someone has been dealt a bad hand and cant afford it all and while u are thinking about that iam oneof them and do not begrudge them their happiness in the forever mall
Awesome idea……my Mom passed away June of 2013 from Dementia…..it’s a sad disease. Anything that we can do to make Dementia patients feel more productive is an amazing thing….wished my Mom had been able to participate.
It kind of sounds better but it depends on the severity of the dementia. If more Caregivers could be hired in most of the nursing homes that would give more people jobs and better attention to the people. The Caregivers should not have to do food prep or dinning room set etc. I am sad my Dad had to be moved to the most locked area of the home he is in, but he wanders into other rooms too much. I am glad he doesn’t live in one of the really large places in the States. I saw a tv documentary on violence in Senior homes and it mentioned a place in Saskatoon, Sask. called Sherbrooke house. I liked this model.
I work in a nursing facility on an alzheimers unit and people need to be treated with respect and love no matter there availability to communicate with you,. We have a lot of severe dementia where they become agitated and angry but I think a lot of this comes from not having anything to do we put them in a common area and that is where they stay all day unless there is an activity to go to and then some times they can go but we are doing other things like toileting and have not the manpower or time to spend with the residents, I love my job and wish that I can do more for them, I find it is hard to keep their attention for a long period of time. Having different sections with different activities would be great.
You have an important job Susan. I wish you the best in all that you do! If you ever have ideas that you would like to share with the community, please contact us!
What is she going to do with all the groceries? Lol are they plastic stuff and empty boxes? Can’t figure that one out? Work in health care… People with dementia are unpredictable.. Could be some major fights in the grocery store over the carts etc? For extended care patients this doesn’t make a lot of sense? In a perfect world maybe.. Unfortunately people are living far to long… Over medicated and sad to see people that can’t speak or feed themselves. Confined to a wheelchair as we must feed them and look after all daily needs.. It’s awful to keep going on trying to get them to open their mouth of their contracted bodies don’t let them be able to even sit in a wheelchair…. And they lay in bed some for a few years! It’s not humane and hopefully one day we will have the right to make a decision on living that way!
While this certainly looks like an amazing place, I am wondering what happens as the dementia progresses? My mother has gone rapidly downhill and other patients in her ward are mobile, but most now, are not. They also don’t seem to grasp the concept of normal daily living. What happens to these patients when they are no longer mobile or able to participate in this type of village?
I am so encouraged to hear of this compassionate,loving and respectful method of care. No nursing home I have ever visited here in the United States is even acceptable. I hope to visit the Netherlands in 2014 and if so would dearly love to tour this facility and find out more!
I want to join your blog… about demetia and Alzheimer’s.. But your site does not give me a place to put my email? What is up with that? only down here.. and you have to have a question to do it.. Bridget Kulesa , Caretaker for my husband
Hi Bridget, click on any post and in the top right corner there is a place to enter your email and subscribe. Sorry if it was confusing!
Has there been any issues with violence between the residents? I know many dementia patients can be violent and lash out at others.
I work in geriatric psychiatry and I think this is amazing…the elderly are getting shuffled around from place to place here in Ontario. They looked after us/were part of building our future for all these years I think it’s our turn to help them out! Would love to have facilities such as this in Ontario and would absolutely love to be part of designing/building such a facility! Too bad the government wouldn’t support it 🙁
I actually think an outdoor area like a courtyard is better.They would get fresh air and someone to talk to as well as a little gardening if they wish.This could have a retractable roof for rainy days or winter days.
I love the idea but what happens when the residents get into to fight.Is the food in the store changed regularly(this would be costly) or do the residents actually buy it and eat it fresh.Someone could get sick if it isn’t.Also if someone wants their hair done but doesn’t understand waiting their turn they could get quite upset and get aggressive.Do they need actual money to pay for things or what would you tell them when they want to pay?I have also worked with dimentia patients for more than 20 yrs and although the concept is good I can see problems happening.
The facility my Mother lives in is locked & she is aware it is locked & would LOVE to be able to go outside in the fresh air & sunshine by herself! I don’t believe the caregivers “lie” to her , perhaps redirect her attention or other strategies including honesty. I believe the majority of the people working in these places are caring but there is always a shortage of staff to accompany them outside or do anything other than the running of the system! Hogeway is wonderful in the relative “freedom” that is offered to people who have lost it due to their dementia.
My friends and I have talked abt a place like this in the country that we can all be part of and live in if we need to.
Fantastic.What an efficient and compassionate way to support those with dementia…improving life all around.
I would love this for my mother, I’m not looking forward to the next step of putting her in a home. I would have her at my home, but can’t not work myself. I would like to know how to go about presenting this to someone and having it in Canada….
Great idea but i am sure here in the usa it would be so freaking expensive that only the rich people with Alzheimers would be able to afford
Am I the ONLY one who thinks this is messed up? While the concept is intriguing, I have several ethical issues. One, regardless of the patients mental state, we as care givers should not LIE to them.
I’ve worked in home health dementia facilities, Internal Med…you name it.
I also worked at an aquarium in my town where we had a similar thing for our animals.
We called them enclosures.
While I understand the need for a safe facility that gives the patients reign to exercise and move about, creating a human terrarium is a little on the …Orwellian side.
I would like to see more activism in the prevention of dementia as we do in its care.
My two peso’s.
I agree with you that we need to see more activism in the way of prevention. I’m not sure where you are from, but in the U.S., there is a ton of time and money put toward research for a cure (which is of course good), an okay amount of time and money spent on prevention but very little time and money spent on caring for the millions of people currently living with Alzheimer’s or dementia.
Someone with Alzheimer’s obviously requires different things than someone who doesn’t have Alzheimer’s – all this facility is doing is allowing them to live as normal as a life as they can instead of being stuck in a facility sitting in a chair with little to no activity, which is sadly the case for more people with Alzheimer’s than not.
More than the idea of this facility, the caregivers are trained specifically to communicate and interact with a person with dementia and that might be the best part – you can see the care philosophy in this video: https://alz-caregiver.com/cnns-worlds-untold-stories-dementia-village/
Doc,
With respect to your position and excellent standards l will say this.
I am Licenced Practical Nurse and have worked at MSP
( medical, surgical and pediatrics), intermediate care, extended care, psychiatry, ER, ICU and a place in an intermediate care called lets say the Bright Unit for severe alzheimer.
Your first point – you never LIE to a patient. This is a good position. May l remind you that Severe Alzheimers patients Only remember the past. The 30’s, 40’s and 50’s. what lead up to the present is gone, like it NEVER happened. So insisting that man is this women’s husband is absurd to her and confusing. Saying a friend is here to visit
you. Would be more likely to receive to the women. And is not your spouse your friend, lover5 and partner in life? Not and outward lie, but her husband is presented in a way that will not confuse and upset her.
And such wording can help an alzeimer patient live in the present.
Addressing your second point is coming up shortly, someone just came to visit.
I’ll be right back.
Respectfully Lisa
Doc,
You would like to see more Activism in prevention of dementia as we do in care.
Your second point is very much needed,
And working towards a cure would be prevention.
We still need to address the quality of living for those who suffer from dementia or alzheimers presently.
I myself would prefer an ” Orwellian” lifestyle compared to being restrained in a chair with little to do because of budget cutbacks and a shortage of caregivers.
Respectfully Lisa
I also work long term care I have worked in large centres were they keep the Dementia and alzimers resident in there own units ” locked units” I feel that a place like this would be so amazing they are allowed there freedom but yet are supervised and and nothing in this article says they are lowing they may simply be redirecting them redirecting a confused person is authoritative way to help the confused by simply saying sorry this door is locked maybe try another as appose to no you have dementia so you have to stay here …… Hmmm wich one is going to have the better outcome i loved working with the confused every day is a new day and to see something like this meats my heart there are wonderful staff and facility’s out there
Yes, I agree with you. Instead of providing care that makes people healthy and happy, we should constantly be telling these people the truth. Your husband is dead. Your family is dead. Over and over, because you know how the memory is, right? YOU HAVE DEMENTIA. That’ll work. Don’t deal with making people happy in the moment, or giving them what is clearly letting them lead a healthier life. Just give them the absolute truth even if it does nothing good for them, and makes absolutely no sense to them, and don’t forget to drug them when they can’t sleep at night.
Sounds wonderful but how much do they pay for this awesome care? Remember most senior care is well below how prisoners in a jail are treated. Prisoners get handed everything free. I’ve seen some seniors not even be able to pay for a haircut or a toothbrush because the care sucks up all their money.My point here is, do you have to be rich for this?
Koo that is an exellent question and is one l was wondering myself.
Your point is glaringly true on how ones
“Golden Years” is less than a criminals.
Maybe this is the point where ideas are put forward by us. As family, caregivers of patients with alzheimers.
With our aging population, we need creative solutions. This would likely SAVE tax payer dollars that are spread so thinly. It would offer seniors with dementia a vibrant, exciting way to live. I hope our Alberta government sees the wisdom and benefits of this and jumps on board right away. What a fantastic idea!
As a healthcare provider here in B.C Canada this would be so wonderful, as dementia seems to becoming more apparent that the age of those affected are getting younger but the physical part part is needed too.
The Hogeway care for Dementia seems novel , functional appropriate & special facility granting the patient freedom and care. .To have such a facility would require a few good contributors to a strong committee for the charity to achieve the objective controlliing the cost of achieving the objective
How to achieve this can be obtained from the pioneers and estimated the budget for the entire project . One consideration is (a) to research the need for dementia care in area where we live (b) to set up a charity (c) meet to discuss proposition .(d) For Example If patients ‘living alone .& in agreement next of kin to sell their home and make lump sum portion of proceeds payable to charity to build up a fund . We can also seek sponsorship from local community and other funds available. Of course all the professionals help Architects etc. .would have to be factored in . It could happen without to much bother -but if there a need and community willingness the sooner action is taken the better to provide this facility so badly needed. Would like to hear some positive practical comment
My dad has dementia and is in care for the last 3 years. There is not enough staff for the number of patients and therefore they do not get the exercise or therapy needed, he stopped walking after being in care for less than a year, he hardly uses his hands anymore and he always used his hands they were his living. Perhaps a place like this would have prolonged his capacity to do things for himself. It’s sad that our criminals get better facilities than the elders that built our country, it’s time the government opens their eyes to what’s important.
What a fantastic place. If it could be made affordable for all walks of life, it would be even better. I hope other countries will follow in their footsteps.
The best idea that I have ever heard
I think it is awesome, it is about time the seniors of our fine world are being treated, with respect, and like they are still important in society instead of being tucked away and basically forgot about. I know myself being the the middle sixties, and sound mind at the moment, makes a person feel that their is out there some compassion for the elders.
With so many of seniors losing their rights to drive,because of cognitive impairment, it affects every facet of a person’s life thereafter…this is a wonderful concept in order for seniors to feel that they are still somewhat independent
Wonderful, the key is it is so real.
As a LPN in a resident care home l saw how quickly the residents got bored.
A man would be given a tool box with a project to tap together with a small rubber mallet and pegs. When done it would be fussed over by the aides and taken apart for them or another to put together. You would literally see the sparkle disappear in there eyes.
Dementia Village is so real.
I commend the creaters and employees.
Wish Canada would dare to expand on this wonderful place.
What an amazing idea. I just lost my Mother in June to Dementia, while the group home she stayed in was amazing in itself, this would have been a much better environment. The nurses who are responsible for this Village should be commended and praised.
I would love to see something like this in the US. As an in home care giver, I have seen clients get to the point that there home was no longer safe for them and have to go to an Adult Family Home or a facility. AFH’s are a nicer choice, but in most facilities they don’t get the attention and activity that they need to stay active and physically and mentally healthy. Admission to these facilities is a death sentence…sometimes a long lingering one, where they do nothing and no longer know anyone. Very sad.
There’s probably an empty super mall that could be repurposed and remodeled to create a place like this.
Luella, An empty mall is a great idea! Lots of indoor space and all that surrounding parking lot could be transformed into grassy outdoor space. Okay investors…where are you?
Shark Tank, here we come!
What a million dollar idea? I wish I had the money or a partner.
Sharon – if we can find the money I think you have a partner…
I miss you dad, I wish I could done more for you .
I miss my dad too. No matter how much I did, sometimes it still feels like there could have been more done to help him. I take solace and comfort in knowing that he loved us and was well loved in return, in the end that is the most precious gift.
My farther suffered with dimentia and unfortunately spent the last precious 3 years of his life in a home. Such a sad closure to his life as he was an intelligent lovely man who would have benefitted and thrived in such a place as Hogeway . I am sure he would have lived longer, and been happier.
Too an expensive venture no doubt for our NHS here in England. A very big shame for sufferers and their families.
I would love to have a place like this. My Mother has vascular dementia & is now living in care. She is SO bored & always desperate to get out for a walk & fresh air or do something besides being parked in front of a T.V. They do have activities but there are not enough staff or activities for stimulation or daily walks . Anyone mobile is forced into using walkers which helps them become bent over. This sounds like a fabulous place. My Mother is also very social & needs mental stimulation & small jobs or her beloved dog to add meaning to her life. Way to go Hogeway! You got it right! If I had the money I would open one myself.
I would love for this to happen in Cape Breton, what a wonderful idea!
Sure wish we had that in our somewhat dememtia village…It would be great to have that,so much for our seniors to do and meet new people on their outthings..
amazing and refreshing to see innovative concepts being considered to better care for our senior population affected by dementia.I will follow this closely
What an amazing concept and idea! It is wonderful that the residents can lead seemingly normal lives. I would love to live here if needed as I get older. It looks and sounds so happy!
What a wonderful idea! I have worked in a home for special care for nineteen years and what staff we had were often too busy for much one on one care. More often than not our residents sat in their rooms till meal times. That I believe is how they gradually lose their mobility. I wish they had these kinds of facilities here in Nova Scotia however I won’t hold my breath waiting.
That’s so sad to hear – thank you for sharing Gordon. Please spread this around to anyone who works in a care facility. We can only hope if we plant the idea enough, it will become a reality.
I certainly will spread this around. Thank you!
I would love to see the idea of Hodgepodge villages throughout Canada. Unfortunately if it
does happen I feel they will only be for the rich which leaves the majority of Canadians with dementia, exactly where they are right now.
I agree, with the ratio of 2 caregivers to 1 patient as described in the article (including the hairstylists/ grocery staff) I can only imagine how expensive this might be, I love the concept though!
I wonder who funds this amazing place? This is a wonderful environment and would create jobs. I worked as a HCA for 12 years and would like to work in the field again, however there are no facilities that hire an employee to work with only clients with dementia. I remember working in a retirement residence and I would take care of 8 Alzheimer patients, who were in a locked environment, then go to the next floor and get two more clients ready for breakfast and they were heavy transfer clients. I would do this for one week then the following week I would work on the other floors with non-dementia patients. Is Hogewey hiring?