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AGING
with an
Attitude
A Place Where People with
Dementia Lead Normal Lives
Written by Dorie Sugay, Executive Director of Visiting Angels
M
illions of people have dementia,
causing their lives to drastically
change. Imagine a place where
there is no stigma around this disease—
a place where a person with dementia
could live a “normal life”—taking a walk,
having their hair done, going shopping—
just like they did before they reached the
advanced stages of dementia.
Hogeweyk is just such a place. It is a
village located in Weesp, Netherlands.
Walking through the village, you see
the movie theatre, the 5-star restaurant,
the grocery store, the homes, the hall
where sing-a-longs shake the windows
with giddy laughter much as it might
have been in the 50s. Caring community
members, who recognized that reminis-
cence therapy and a life with meaning
could help people with dementia, created
this “Dementia Village” in the 90s.
Hogeweyk is a secure village with
streets and sidewalks where people,
although unable to leave, don’t feel
confined. They can roam —walk to the
beauty parlor and be pampered or meet
new friends to have a drink or two at a
full bar. Residents shop, using “internal
currency.” No one judges.
In this village you are either someone
challenged by the disease or someone
who is highly trained to be there to help
those who are. The hairdresser, the gro-
cery clerk, the postal worker, the butcher
– they all understand dementia and are
trained to engage the residents and to
empower them to help themselves and
lead as “normal” lives as possible.
There are 25 clubs in this village that
provide activities from baking to crafts, to
cycling, to “doing office work.” There is
a Mozart House, where people can enjoy
classical music and even a garage where
one can tinker with cars from the 50s.
Residents live in homes built for
seven residents – six with dementia, one
care specialist. Those who have been
involved in this project say that residents
seem happier, more engaged than when
they arrived. No statistical studies have
been conducted but we know that one’s
environment can affect one’s behavior and
mood, that a more meaningful life lifts
one’s spirit.
At Visiting Angels, clients with
dementia long for the days when they
felt in control. They talk about feeling
like the disease is attacking their self
worth. The residents of Hogeweyk feel in
control—they can go anywhere they want
in the Village, do whatever they want
(minus unsafe activities of course). Even
living in an era they are used to seems
to help. Workers have noticed new-
comers opening up as the environment
encourages them to reminisce.
Our country can be proud of many
achievements and yet our score card
when it comes to caring for our older
adults does not reflect it's greatness.
We need to educate our citizens about
dementia. Families need to understand
what is going on with their loved ones
to prevent challenges from tearing
relationships apart.
A 37-year-old businessman in San
Diego is doing his part by building a
“miniature memory village” inside a
20,000-square-foot industrial build-
ing in Chula Vista, California. People
with dementia can visit this village,
called “Glenner Town Square” and enjoy
themselves but only for a few hours.
The concept is somewhat similar to the
Dementia Villages in the Netherlands—
a step back in time with activities that
stimulate the senses, allowing the guests
GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN
december 2018-january 2019
to feel “normal” while there. What is
impressive is that it only costs $95 for
an eight-hour visit or $65 for a four-
hour visit—now that is a business
with a heart!
Dementia is a spectrum of brain
disorder that cause a chain reaction of
consequences. A heartbreaking fact is
that many families are not prepared for
this challenge; even those who educate
themselves find their sanity tested. In
2018, Alzheimer’s and other dementias
will cost our nation $277 Billion. By
2050, this could rise to as high as
$1.1 Trillion (Alzheimer’s Association,
2018). Hogeweyk became a reality for
only $25 Million.
One wonders what it would take
for our country to realize that we need
to invest in educating communities,
and in more research and support for
those affected by dementia. Imagine
if we built villages that supported our
citizens as they struggle with dementia,
or PTSD, or mental health issues.
Villages that could allow families to
stop worrying about their loved ones
and get back to their
own normal. Seems
to me that we would
then have an even
greater America.
Dorie Sugay is the
Executive Director
of Visiting Angels.
gmhtoday.com
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