Rrecently, dementia village It is gaining popularity in Europe and Australia as an all-in-one solution to care and improve the lives of people with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.of new york times reported that it appears to be “the future of home care.”
Dementia Villages are small communities that provide shared housing, minor medical care, and psychosocial support in a neighborhood setting. It was born in 2009 in a village known as Hogeweyk in Weesp, Netherlands. concept We created a paradigm shift in dementia care by focusing on possibilities rather than obstacles.Currently present in 9 other his companies Countrythis care concept prioritizes autonomy and community involvement.
However, while promising in theory, it is not clear whether it will work in practice.
Home care for patients with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia in the United States has traditionally been provided in large facilities. nursing home or specialty care unit clinical Originally. Staff in these environments take a hands-on approach and Schedule settings Regularly implement regular programs and food selections for residents.
This works for some patients.the study suggest Many people benefit from a smaller-scale approach and certain design elements such as outdoor space and home-like communal living. By deploying dedicated staff who can respond to the needs of each patient, lead There will be fewer hospitalizations and fewer mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression.
Dementia Village was developed based on this idea.The residents Recommended Move freely within the community and continue the normal daily activities you enjoyed before moving in. This includes gardening, shopping, going to the hair salon, dinner at a restaurant, etc.
The residents supported by the household manager they designated and the 6-7 housemates they had. matched With people who have similar interests.interdisciplinary team Medical professionals, non-clinical workers and volunteers scattered across the site provide support outside the home. Although it is a gated community, it also has the amenities of a dementia village and an outdoor walking path. Open To the general public.
But nothing evidence Although this model of care has yet to be proven to be effective, Better Improves health and social outcomes over traditional memory care facilities.As far as I know, no the study No studies have yet been conducted to examine whether dementia villages improve behavior, functional ability, cognition, and quality of life. A clearer understanding of how dementia villages handle medical emergencies, chronic illnesses, and end-of-life care will help to evaluate these programs and compare them with other memory care concepts to determine if they are viable. It will also be helpful in determining whether it is an option for you.
Additionally, there are limitations. One implementation concern is whether the Dementia Village model includes enough sites. clinical support For the residents. for example, hogewijknurses only attend to the basic medical needs of residents. Bedroom restrict physical use restraints (e.g. bedside rails, recliners) Also for people who are at risk of falling regularly. Most dementia villages follow this example, but village Landais has an Alzheimer’s disease outbreak. France And at Village Langley Canada They have recently deviated from the norm by offering more assistance. The former built a clinic and pharmacy on the premises, and the latter designated his third of the residence for the following residents: advanced Dementia requiring intensive treatment and supervision. The fact that the model can be tailored is promising, but without incorporating more clinical support in future replications, this concept of care will not be a one-size-fits-all solution to different levels of need.
Another implementation concern is access Capital, especially if new evidence The disparities in dementia care in marginalized communities have been revealed. Further questions remain as to whether dementia villages exist. accessible Is there enough quantity for individuals living in rural areas? Publicly funded Spots that can include people from lower socio-economic backgrounds (if any), and whether the village is racially and ethnically diverse and encompasses a variety of people LGBTQ+ Elders.
However, perhaps the biggest challenge for the spread of dementia villages is implementation You guessed it: cost.
For countries with private payment markets, wefew organizations have the funds and land. Independently Building a community that can respond to the needs of a dementia village. Until late 2022, the U.S. only had a few-day program. Indiana and one in the south California — These are concept-inspired and do not include homes.
Zoning is currently underway for the nation’s first dementia resident village. approved New Jersey is estimated to cost $12,000 per month for most residents (US) average The monthly cost of a memory care facility is $7,500).meanwhile Ten% of these slots are reserved for Medicaid recipients, but it is unclear how much medical care will be covered. Even in countries with generous government subsidies, families still struggle to cover their costs (up to $10 on average). 3,500 euros By month).
This is not to say that dementia villages are an idea that should be scrapped.
Residents and their families seem to like it too. Comfortable and humane care What Dementia Village provides.Compared to traditional residential care, this structure offer Families now have more ways to connect with their loved ones, such as taking a walk outdoors, drinking coffee, or going to the movies.
But too often, advocates ignore these serious issues. Further research is needed into whether dementia villages are a sustainable and effective form of care and should be uncritically promoted as an easier option than traditional care. In fact, it may be best for researchers to study existing facilities and their patient outcomes before building more. This is important in determining whether this model is as good as it looks.
Cristina Carvalho, MSW, is a policy analyst at Boston University School of Public Health.
