Illustrations throughout are artists impression of village when all stages are complete.
Opening our doors in September 2017, the village has been built to replicate a small-scale New Zealand town and designed to allow people to live in households, creating a foundation of independence, home and community, with 24 hour professional support and carers close at hand.
Our vision is to create a lifestyle that gives people with dementia as normal a life as possible and provides an opportunity for them to not only exist, but thrive. We believe that familiarity, comfort and a stimulating environment have the greatest impact on overall health, happiness and wellbeing.
Introducing The CARE Village.
The opening of The CARE Village, 24th February 2018.
The CARE Village was founded on the belief that there had to be a better way of delivering aged care, one which not only preserved the lifestyles of those needing care, but also challenged traditional institutional practices in the wider industry.
The CARE Village is the first of its kind to be built in the world outside of Holland. The concept of giving people with dementia the opportunity to go about their normal lives is based on the renowned Dutch dementia village, De Hogeweyk.
Our model of care is based on creating and conserving lifestyle, independence and most importantly, community.
At The CARE Village, we strive to continuously challenge and better the way aged care is delivered, both here in New Zealand and world-wide. We have worked closely with the Ministry of Health in developing our leading-edge model and our highly-skilled staff, along with the latest in technology, mean residents have the freedom to move about the village in a safe and constant environment. Where possible, residents are also able to come and go from the village as they please.
Each of the 13 single-level six and seven bedroom households look and function like a typical home, reflecting extensive research that people with dementia are much happier when they live in an environment they recognise as home.
Each household has its own kitchen, dining room and laundry. When all stages are completed, the village will also include a supermarket, café, hairdresser and clubrooms. In the meantime, we are enjoying the gardens and lakeside promenade.
Houses have also been designed and decorated differently, to reflect the lifestyles people are most familiar with.
The CARE Village has been designed and built to be a part of our wider community. Over the coming months we plan to host activities, art exhibitions, performances – you name it – to invite the community to share and care with us, and for our residents to be part of that wider community too. Watch this space!
As a community-owned, not-for-profit charitable trust, we work closely with volunteers – all of whom work under the direction of our highly-trained staff.
We also rely on community donations and funding. If you would like to donate funds or your time and expertise, please contact us.
