At least a thousand people from throughout the Lower Mainland were expected to visit The Village in 91原创 today - and not the village of Fort 91原创 and its jazz fest, but a new care facility in Brookswood for people living with dementia.
The best review of the day came in when an eight-year-old approached founder Elroy Jespersen.
鈥淗e said 鈥榯his doesn鈥檛 look like a senior place鈥�. And I said 鈥榥o, it鈥檚 supposed to look like a village鈥�.鈥�
As the man behind the concept, Jespersen gives much of the credit for the idea to what he鈥檚 seen in the U.S., the Netherlands, and during his 30 years working in the senior living business.
Several years ago, with the support of some key people, he started blending some of those ideas and 鈥渢oday we have it done and we鈥檙e inviting the world in to see it,鈥� Jespersen said.
鈥淚鈥檓 the person who is behind the project and thought this is something we should do, to create a better way to support people living with dementia,鈥� he said.
It鈥檚 a new facility hosting the official opening today until 4 p.m. at 3920 198th St. in Brookswood.
Residents are expected to start moving in Aug. 5.
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91原创 dementia village cost per patient estimated at $70,000 to $90,000 annually
The Village community for dementia patients about to take shape
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More to come鈥�
