Dementia village coming to B.C. highlights need for diverse care options
VANCOUVER — The construction of specialized dementia care village in British Columbia that gives residents freedom to walk outside and participate in activities highlights the need for more diverse options for people living with the illness, advocates say.
The Village in Langley, B.C., is designed after models in the U.S. and the Netherlands. It will be the first of its kind in the province offering independent accommodations, amenities and programming in a secure environment to a small group of seniors with dementia, supported by an almost equal number of specially trained staff.
Unlike long-term care facilities or large assisted living complexes, the village will consist of six residences with only 12 units in each, housing a total of up to 78 people on the 2.8-hectare site in order to foster a tight-knit community.
Project lead Elroy Jespersen said he saw a need for a facility where people didn’t feel “locked in” and could dictate what they did and how they go about their day.