In the Netherlands, they have come up with a groundbreaking idea to create a model village concept for seniors. It is called Hogeweyk. Thanks to the project, patients suffering from the unpleasant disease can continue to live a good quality of life within the community. This complex resembles a normal life in a classic village or city district rather than a medical sanatorium or nursing home, which is very beneficial for seniors with dementia.
Ideas about the creation of a unique village were already in the past
This unique space located in Weesp was conceived as a specialized facility for seniors who have Alzheimer’s disease. The initial ideas of setting up this unique project appeared thirty years ago. The idea originated in the head of the management of a facility providing care for the elderly. The gates of Hogeweyk were opened for the first time in 2009, which was first preceded by detailed research. The idea behind the creation of the whole fictional village complex is to evoke the feeling of life in a normal village or town. The area covers an area of more than 16,000 square metres and consists of 27 houses. Seven patients live in one of them. Currently, the Village provides a home for approximately 180 seniors with severe dementia.
At first sight a village like any other
The advantage is that the concept evokes a sense of freedom in its inhabitants. They can go wherever they choose, with a choice of restaurants, supermarkets, parks or social clubs, even the theatre. Hogeweyk resembles a classic village or town with streets, courtyards and squares, you wouldn’t know the difference at first glance. The authors of the facility claim that patients who live here are happier. They live a more fulfilled and meaningful life than they would have to spend in a standard nursing home. Although this project gives the impression of an ordinary village, there is a qualified nursing staff with a wealth ofexperience and always willing to help 24 hours a week. However, the workers are dressed in normal clothes, not in special white medical clothing. They are very familiar with the health status of each senior. They look after the elderly while making their lives more pleasant, going to the theatre, shopping or going for walks with them. Approximately 250 care workers work throughout the complex.
Gives the impression of ordinary life compared to the past
The design and construction of the fictitious village cost 19.3 million euros, with a contribution of 17.8 million euros from the Dutch government. The rest of the funding was raised from local organisations and sponsors. Surprisingly, a stay in this unique complex costs about the same as a traditional facility or nursing home. The innovative centre benefits the mental health of patients as they can live a normal life, but the system also includes a positive impact on physical fitness, which improves significantly. The proof is that clients take less medication, enjoy eating more and live longer. In addition, they live in a community of friends, where they spend time together and do various activities of interest. Here they find social and human integrity and are given freedom, privacy and independence. Thanks to this special centre, dementia patients have the opportunity to live their lives as normally as possible.
He is an inspiration to others
The founders of this interesting concept have also set up Be Advice, an institution that advises other governments, healthcare institutions and entrepreneurs on how they too could set up a similar project to enable people suffering from dementia to live better and better lives. And success did not wait long. Countries such as Germany, Italy, Norway and Australia have managed to follow the Hogeweyk model village. In France , they built an almost identical place, the Landais Alzheimer village in Dax. Here seniors will find a library, a gym and a hairdresser. The Dutch township and these other concepts, led by France, serve as inspiration for the establishment of such nursing towns.
The concept has a positive effect on the condition of seniors with dementia
A number of experts agreed on the positive impact and benefits of the facility built in the Netherlands, although critical voices were also raised. Critics say it conjures up a false image of the world, but experts think it is a safe and appropriate environment for seniors who must live with a challenging and difficult diagnosis. According to neurologist Jean-François Dartigues, thanks to the project, patients can stimulate their brains every day and function within a normal daily routine, which is part of and the goal of the treatment of this insidious disease. The emergence of an extraordinary nursing place is an exceptional, remarkable and groundbreaking step in the provision of nursing care. It is an adequate solution to ensure a safe, full and dignified life until the last moment for seniors with dementia. The village allows them to live the life of an ordinary person as they once did before they became ill, and compared to their healthy peers, they are not at risk of being marginalised.
Atena sees this concept of a model village as an original and very beneficial idea that can help seniors with dementia to live a better and happier life. We think that building Hogeweyk is a great inspiration for other countries where it could become a reality.
