De Hogeweyk pioneer shares dementia village model

Dutch architect Frank van Dillen shared the story behind the evolution of the pioneering De Hogeweyk dementia village at the Future of Care conference yesterday.

Mr van Dillen, CEO of Dementia Village Architects, explained how the design evolved as a social inclusion (holistic) model combining an economic and social solution for dementia care.

The Dutch dementia village model, which has influenced several UK care providers, including WCS Care, Belong and Middleton Hall Retirement Village, focuses on providing safe social hubs in a high care and secure environment.

Around 180 residents live in households of six to seven people who share the same lifestyle interests.

The village model, which is designed for people living with severe dementia requiring 24 hour care, consists of lifestyle houses in a community setting. People are free to roam in outdoor space within a secure area with no covered corridors or visible boundaries.

Mr van Dillen said the model represented a “paradigm shift” from “quality of care” to “quality of life”.

The Dutch architect highlighted the affordability of the model, with average daily care costs of just £150, supported by the use of volunteers and family funding of activities.

During a following Q&A, representatives from the Scottish Borders Council said revealed they were working on rolling out a dementia village inspired by the Dutch model.