Editor: It鈥檚 worked very well in the Netherlands 鈥� now it鈥檚 Canada鈥檚 turn.

I was excited to hear the news regarding Canada鈥檚 first 鈥渄ementia village,鈥� scheduled to open next year in 91原创.

Modelled after Holland鈥檚 successful Hogeweyk Dementia Village, a similar dementia village will be much more than just another secured long-term care centre, 91原创鈥檚 new village will include single-storey homes, a community centre, and even a barn and will be home to 78 people with dementia. Seventy two specially-trained staff will help residents remain as independent as possible as they form a community and participate in many daily activities.

One of the best benefits is that three of the new cottages are built for couples so that a husband and wife are not forced to separate when one partner requires more advanced care.

My late father had Alzheimer鈥檚 disease and, while he did receive excellent care in a secured care home, I believe that this 鈥渧illage鈥� approach will prove to be a superb means to provide seniors with dementia a better quality of life, increased independence, and a more comfortable home as they continue to age and decline.

Rick Lauber,

Author of Caregiver鈥檚 Guide for Canadians and The Successful Caregiver鈥檚 Guide