Australia building first dementia village
Australia’s first suburb specifically-designed for those living with dementia will be built in Tasmania.
The suburb, in Glenorchy in Hobart, will provide 15 houses and includes a supermarket, cinema, café, beauty salon and gardens.
The $25 million Korongee project is backed by aged care provider Glenview Community Services, health sector superannuation fund HESTA and the Commonwealth Government.
The village follows the scaffold of other dementia suburbs around the world, including De Hogeweyk village in the Netherlands, which sees residents rely less on medication and live longer.
Glenview CEO Lucy O’Flaherty told ABC News the village would simulate real life for those living with dementia.
“For us, this is actually about providing a service for those people that can't afford to get into a service that might be bells and whistles that would cost dollars,” she said.
“This is actually about responding to the most disadvantaged in our community.”
The village will cater for 90 residents and the public will be allowed to visit various sections to encourage normality.
There will be no age restriction for residents as those with early-onset dementia can also become residents."
“They'll have staff that will [take part in] discreet observation, there will be technology, the design of the facility will be as such that it will support residents within the village.”
The University of Tasmania is researching and designing the décor of the residents’ houses.
Construction will commence next year and it is believed the village will be finished by mid to late 2019.