Dementia Care: What in the World is a Dementia Village?

This article looks at an international senior care community which is revolutionizing dementia care through dementia villages. In the municipality of Weesp, not far from Amsterdam, sits the village of Hogewey. Hogewey is home to 152 men and women living with severe dementia. The community has 23 residential units, each shared by 6-8 residents. Around-the-clock care is provided by 240 “villagers” who are actually trained geriatric nurses and caregivers dressed in street clothes. The staff takes care of everything from cooking meals, planning activities, assisting with bathing, personal care and administering medications. Even the individuals staffing the various village “businesses” are trained in dementia care, to help those with Alzheimer’s go about their day.