In a world filled with strife and conflict, it’s important to remember that there are good things to look for in day-to-day life. Locally, nationally or internationally, big or small, there’s always something to celebrate.

This week, we’re talking about De Hogeweyk, a village in the Netherlands that exclusively houses more than 150 residents with dementia. The residents live in 27 shared homes and have access to 24-hour care. The village is meant to avoid an institutionalized approach to dementia care. This is possible because the shopkeepers and hairdressers are specially trained to handle dementia patients. 

Upon its creation in 2009, De Hogeweyk served as a safe, secure and nurturing alternative to a distressful hospital environment. Patients are allowed to wear normal clothes and live as independently as possible while still being under intensive care. They are typically put in small groups based on shared interests or lifestyles that they can continue to implement into their daily lives. 

While still a developing substitute for hospitals, dementia villages are a growing concept that have inspired other alternatives for dementia care to arise as well. These inclusive villages are just the beginning to methods of evolving knowledge on neurodegenerative diseases and how to properly care for them. 

When we can evolve our working knowledge to help care for people fighting dementia, we can shine a light in our communities.