Dementia-friendly design: Hogeweyk and beyond

With few pharmacological interventions and an ever-increasing number of people likely to be affected by dementia, it seems sensible to consider other ways in which we might address their needs and maximise their independence and quality of life. I became interested in the idea of specific environmental design aimed at improving quality of life and functioning for people with dementia when reading about Hogeweyk, a specially designed village for those affected (https://hogeweyk.dementiavillage.com/en/). Hogeweyk is made up of 23 houses offering seven different lifestyles chosen to reflect the most common Dutch home environments.¹ Residents manage the household and carry out activities of daily living such as washing and cooking as far as they are able, just as they would in their own homes but aided and encouraged by a team of staff. Residents are able to shop for groceries, go to the restaurant, pub, or cinema, or simply for a walk in the village as they choose. Relatives and local …