Amsterdam is a vibrant city that draws crowds of thrill-seeking tourists. Yet just 20 kilometers away lies De Hogeweyk, where daily life is quite different. This place is a care facility for people suffering from dementia, also known as cognitive decline syndrome. However, it doesn't resemble a large hospital at all. On the contrary, this "dementia village" looks just like an ordinary town.
The Hogeweyk Dementia Village in the Netherlands: A special place for many people
According to the official website of Dementia Village Associates, De Hogeweyk in the Netherlands offers a different approach to dementia care than standard treatment facilities. It opened in 2009 and has since become home to people suffering from severe, incurable dementia who require round-the-clock care. However, the creators of the "dementia village" believed that care should extend beyond providing professional medical treatment, physiotherapy, and medications. The village has homes for 152 residents, as well as shops, restaurants, cafes, a hairdresser, and even a theater. Although there are no walls surrounding the village, the homes create a natural boundary from the outside world. There is only one secure entrance and exit. While residents can leave with an assistant if they wish, most prefer to stay within the village's safe confines, where they can move freely and enjoy the large space. This has a very positive effect on them.
People are more energetic because they move around a lot and maintain better physical condition for longer. In other facilities, this is more difficult because they aren't as safe. That's when people become aggressive and dissatisfied. Here, most residents are completely relaxed. They are also relatively mentally sharp because they participate in activities like singing or crafts, help in the kitchen, or set the table
- explains Yvonne van Ammerongen, the village's founder, in an interview with Deutsche Welle. Moreover, even people from outside the village visit it. Children come to play, and others use the restaurants or theater. On the other hand, De Hogeweyk helps patients avoid some of the unpleasant situations they might encounter in the outside world.
De Hogeweyk is a safe space but does not isolate patients. It creates a zone of safety
Dementia affects a person's cognitive functions, including memory and concentration, leading to many unpleasant and stressful situations. Yvonne van Ammerongen provides an example of someone leaving a store without paying for their groceries. In typical settings, this would likely result in a potentially aggressive confrontation or even the police being called. In De Hogeweyk, however, all the staff are familiar with the residents, so if such an incident occurs, they simply inform the caregiver, and the product is returned to the store or paid for by the resident’s family.
Another important aspect of De Hogeweyk is the effort to recreate conditions similar to those the residents knew before their illness. The homes are designed to bring together residents who share similar lifestyles, interests, or cultures, which is not common in traditional care centers.
We simply want to give our residents the best possible quality of life. They have that here, where they are safe and feel well-treated. Outside the facility, it’s very different. The world doesn't understand people with dementia and isn't very friendly toward them. So, we decided to create a place where they are treated well and welcome visitors from outside who enjoy coming here
- concludes Yvonne van Ammerongen.
