'Alzheimer’s Village' in Dax, France is a project in development by Copenhagen-based firm Nord Architects that aims to provide better living solutions for those with dementia.
While there are many considerations that go into architectural projects and accessibility is often a concern, the fact remains that even the most carefully designed environments can be a challenge for an Alzheimer’s patient to navigate. In order to overcome this, the Alzheimer’s Village is designed as a series of highly distinctive small neighborhoods in which residents can go about their day-to-day activities safely.
At the village center, there's a shop, a hairdresser, a restaurant, cultural center, healthcare center, as well as housing and a research center. As a result, the entire design is unlike many institutional nursing homes and is rich with sensory cues.
Memory Care Communities
Nord Architects' Alzheimer’s Village is Arranged into Micro Neighborhoods
Trend Themes
1. Memory Care Micro Neighborhoods - Designing memory care communities with micro neighborhoods to provide better living solutions for those with dementia.
2. Sensory-rich Memory Care Centers - Creating sensory-rich memory care centers unlike institutional nursing homes to improve the living experience of those with dementia.
3. Integrating Healthcare and Research Centers in Memory Care Communities - Integrating healthcare and research centers in memory care communities to strengthen the care and research for those with dementia.
Industry Implications
1. Memory Care Communities - The memory care industry provides an opportunity to innovate design solutions to improve the living experience of those with dementia.
2. Healthcare - The healthcare industry can explore integrating healthcare and research centers in memory care communities to strengthen care for those with dementia.
3. Architecture and Design - Architecture and Design industry can innovate in the memory care space by creating sensory-rich environments that improve the living experience of those with dementia.