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Amazing Village Just For People With Dementia Lets Them Live Normally And Safely
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Amazing Village Just For People With Dementia Lets Them Live Normally And Safely

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Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are terrible illnesses that are both socially and medically tough to deal with. The Hogewey center in the Netherlands, however, is helping pioneer a sensitive new form of care for dementia and Alzheimer’s patients by creating a safe, gated village where they can roam freely and lead normal lives.

The enclosed village of De Hogeweyk, located in the town of Weesp, has everything – a grocery store, parks, a restaurant, a bar and a theater. Its 23 homes house 152 seniors suffering from dementia and Alzheimer’s.

The center, designed by the Molenaar&Bol&VanDillen architecture firm, opened in 2009. It cost the Dutch government 17.8 million euros (20.1 million USD), with an additional 1.5 million (1.7 million USD) coming from local organizations. The cost for a single resident is around 5,000 euros (5,657 USD) a month.

More info: hogeweyk.dementiavillage.com | mbvda.nl (h/t: twistedsifter)

Hogeweyk isn’t your regular quiet Dutch village

Image credits: msagd.rlp.de

It’s home to 152 dementia and Alzheimer’s patients

Image credits: Madeleine Sars

Life is normal, however – there’s even a supermarket!

Image credits: Hans Erkelens

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Image credits: Hans Erkelens

Other amenities include a restaurant, a theater and a bar

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Image credits: Hans Erkelens

The residential buildings are separated by interior decor styles

Image credits: KopArt, Amstelveen

Image credits: KopArt, Amstelveen

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Image credits: msagd.rlp.de

Image credits: Hans Erkelens

The center, designed by the architects at Molenaar&Bol&VanDillen, opened in 2009

Image credits: msagd.rlp.de

The center cost the Dutch government and local organizations 19.3 mil. euros (21.8 mil. USD)

Image credits: Hans Erkelens

The caretakers and staff dress in everyday clothes to appear normal

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Image credits: Hans Erkelens

The patients that live in “up-scale” suites sometimes treat caretakers like neighbors or workers

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Image credits: Anita Edridge

Image credits: Madeleine Sars

Image credits: msagd.rlp.de

Image credits: Nieko Roozen

Image credits: Molenaar&Bol&VanDillen architekten

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bernadette_kilfeather avatar
BernadetteKilfeather
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dignity, Respect, these are words with true meanings when I see this wonderful centre

 avatar
marlene_vana avatar
MarleneVana
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's a beautiful idea but who can afford over $5000.00 a month. I know I can't.

Load More Replies...
Hadishville avatar
DarylJackson
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cheaper than keeping them in a Hospital, and much nicer. There should be many of such places.

bernadette_kilfeather avatar
BernadetteKilfeather
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dignity and Respect have their true meaning when I see this, hope as well !

sam_preston_1884 avatar
SamPreston
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Brilliant idea. I would definatly move there if I got dementia

blaylock_darkstar avatar
patricia_rauscher_7 avatar
PatriciaRauscher
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Great idea, did I read that right, cost about $5,000 a month? Doesn't seem like what the average person would be able to afford.

Tricia23 avatar
Tricia23
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Being the daughter of two parents with endstage dementia, I LOVE this idea. This concept would certainly help during the early stages.

jay_revgratz avatar
JayRevgratz
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

maybe we should send the bill of eur 5000 per month per patient to the big pharma companies who put this generation on neuroleptics ?

laural.williams.399 avatar
LauralWilliams
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wish I could send my mom there, makes me sad her quality of life is not as good as it could be.

taunte_jood avatar
T'AunteJood
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This has been a dream of mine for those with chronic mental illness. Yes we need places like this for people with Dementia and Alzheimers!

dduensing avatar
DonnaHughes
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I recently lost my dad due it complications from dementia and this would have been a wonderful environment for him to be in! So much dignity

ami_johanson_3 avatar
AmiPotts
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This video is worth a watch. http://www.upworthy.com/alzheimers-may-be-linked-to-our-diet-and-this-guy-is-making-a-movie-about-it?c=bl3

ingrid.collender.9 avatar
IngridCollender
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wish my mother who had ALZ had access to a facility such as this.We could not cope with her care at the end.Frail care was our only option

djparrish01 avatar
DawnParrish
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It does not say that the government pays for the residents to live there.

awoodsglenny avatar
AlisonMurphyWoods
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel happy for the people who are lucky enough to be there. Respect.

Tricia23 avatar
Tricia23
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Being the daughter of two parents with endstage dementia, I LOVE this idea! This concept would ease the transitions through earlier stages.

clare_pomfrett_1 avatar
ClarePomfrett
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's a great idea. What shame on UK government that we have nothing like this.

mary_robinson_7334 avatar
MaryRobinson
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

While I think that the whole program is fantastic, it is quite cost prohibitive for most people. 5000 Euros is a horrendous amount.

lkathlina avatar
LesleeKathlina
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I too am a medical professional. Curious how progression of Alzhiemer's is handled?

brenda_griffithsnanacsik avatar
BrendaGriffithsNanacsik
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mother suffered with Lewy Body Dementia and was in a nursing home for 8 years. This would have been so much better for her.

lindsey_alexander_14 avatar
LindseyAlexander
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My grandfather died from dementia and his last year was very hard on him and our family I only wish he could've been in a place like this

amyng avatar
AmyNg
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

TBH, I'd like to work there, but not at the upscale flats. It says there that some of the caretakers are treated like servants... :(

tonetoneskybaby avatar
LynBurgess
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Would love more of these around the world. Not just for alzhimers and dementia, but also down syndrom, autism and fragile x syndrome

Kinjalpharmd avatar
KinjalShah
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's awesome!! Wish we had something like this in the US!

diana.covell.5 avatar
DianaCovell
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WHAT A FANTASTIC IDEA. LETS PEOPLE LIVE SAFELY AND WITH DIGNITY.

vittoriana_mancini avatar
VittorianaMancini
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

with all due respect to the disease , I want to think about how to live well and lucid until the end of my life < 3

vittoriana_mancini avatar
VittorianaMancini
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

it seems to me , a gilded cage , where we all want to go, the right end of our irresponsible life , delegating decisions to others...

tee_salgado avatar
TeeSalgado
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think this is a brilliant idea. People are treated with dignity & respect.

maureen_coffman avatar
MaureenCoffman
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think it is wonderful for those lucky enough to be able to have a place to go. They would need one in almost every city in the USA .

becky_weaver_560 avatar
BeckyWeaver
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Folks with dimentia often loop back into their past so I wonder if any of the residents experience confusion from the surroundings?

susan_mckinnon_501 avatar
SusanMcKinnon
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Reserve me a room. Great idea, as long as people remain safe from their self and others.

IsraelSungrass avatar
DævBurger
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What's it like to steal the idea for your article from a Cracked article from last week??

bernadette_kilfeather avatar
BernadetteKilfeather
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dignity, Respect, these are words with true meanings when I see this wonderful centre

 avatar
marlene_vana avatar
MarleneVana
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's a beautiful idea but who can afford over $5000.00 a month. I know I can't.

Load More Replies...
Hadishville avatar
DarylJackson
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cheaper than keeping them in a Hospital, and much nicer. There should be many of such places.

bernadette_kilfeather avatar
BernadetteKilfeather
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dignity and Respect have their true meaning when I see this, hope as well !

sam_preston_1884 avatar
SamPreston
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Brilliant idea. I would definatly move there if I got dementia

blaylock_darkstar avatar
patricia_rauscher_7 avatar
PatriciaRauscher
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Great idea, did I read that right, cost about $5,000 a month? Doesn't seem like what the average person would be able to afford.

Tricia23 avatar
Tricia23
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Being the daughter of two parents with endstage dementia, I LOVE this idea. This concept would certainly help during the early stages.

jay_revgratz avatar
JayRevgratz
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

maybe we should send the bill of eur 5000 per month per patient to the big pharma companies who put this generation on neuroleptics ?

laural.williams.399 avatar
LauralWilliams
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wish I could send my mom there, makes me sad her quality of life is not as good as it could be.

taunte_jood avatar
T'AunteJood
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This has been a dream of mine for those with chronic mental illness. Yes we need places like this for people with Dementia and Alzheimers!

dduensing avatar
DonnaHughes
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I recently lost my dad due it complications from dementia and this would have been a wonderful environment for him to be in! So much dignity

ami_johanson_3 avatar
AmiPotts
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This video is worth a watch. http://www.upworthy.com/alzheimers-may-be-linked-to-our-diet-and-this-guy-is-making-a-movie-about-it?c=bl3

ingrid.collender.9 avatar
IngridCollender
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wish my mother who had ALZ had access to a facility such as this.We could not cope with her care at the end.Frail care was our only option

djparrish01 avatar
DawnParrish
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It does not say that the government pays for the residents to live there.

awoodsglenny avatar
AlisonMurphyWoods
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel happy for the people who are lucky enough to be there. Respect.

Tricia23 avatar
Tricia23
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Being the daughter of two parents with endstage dementia, I LOVE this idea! This concept would ease the transitions through earlier stages.

clare_pomfrett_1 avatar
ClarePomfrett
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's a great idea. What shame on UK government that we have nothing like this.

mary_robinson_7334 avatar
MaryRobinson
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

While I think that the whole program is fantastic, it is quite cost prohibitive for most people. 5000 Euros is a horrendous amount.

lkathlina avatar
LesleeKathlina
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I too am a medical professional. Curious how progression of Alzhiemer's is handled?

brenda_griffithsnanacsik avatar
BrendaGriffithsNanacsik
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My mother suffered with Lewy Body Dementia and was in a nursing home for 8 years. This would have been so much better for her.

lindsey_alexander_14 avatar
LindseyAlexander
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My grandfather died from dementia and his last year was very hard on him and our family I only wish he could've been in a place like this

amyng avatar
AmyNg
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

TBH, I'd like to work there, but not at the upscale flats. It says there that some of the caretakers are treated like servants... :(

tonetoneskybaby avatar
LynBurgess
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Would love more of these around the world. Not just for alzhimers and dementia, but also down syndrom, autism and fragile x syndrome

Kinjalpharmd avatar
KinjalShah
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's awesome!! Wish we had something like this in the US!

diana.covell.5 avatar
DianaCovell
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

WHAT A FANTASTIC IDEA. LETS PEOPLE LIVE SAFELY AND WITH DIGNITY.

vittoriana_mancini avatar
VittorianaMancini
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

with all due respect to the disease , I want to think about how to live well and lucid until the end of my life < 3

vittoriana_mancini avatar
VittorianaMancini
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

it seems to me , a gilded cage , where we all want to go, the right end of our irresponsible life , delegating decisions to others...

tee_salgado avatar
TeeSalgado
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think this is a brilliant idea. People are treated with dignity & respect.

maureen_coffman avatar
MaureenCoffman
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think it is wonderful for those lucky enough to be able to have a place to go. They would need one in almost every city in the USA .

becky_weaver_560 avatar
BeckyWeaver
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Folks with dimentia often loop back into their past so I wonder if any of the residents experience confusion from the surroundings?

susan_mckinnon_501 avatar
SusanMcKinnon
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Reserve me a room. Great idea, as long as people remain safe from their self and others.

IsraelSungrass avatar
DævBurger
Community Member
9 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What's it like to steal the idea for your article from a Cracked article from last week??

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