What if dementia care didn’t feel like a locked ward—but like a real, thriving community?
That’s exactly what I witnessed on a recent visit to Hogeweyk, the world’s first “dementia village” located just outside Amsterdam in the Netherlands. What I saw there fundamentally shifted the way I think about long-term care for people living with dementia—and it gave me hope for what’s possible here in the U.S.
What Is a Dementia Village?
Hogeweyk was created to provide a safe, supportive, and dignified environment for people with advanced dementia—without stripping away their autonomy or sense of identity. Unlike traditional memory care facilities in the United States, Hogeweyk looks and feels like a real village. Residents live in small group homes based on shared lifestyles and interests, dine in communal kitchens, visit local shops, and engage in meaningful daily activities.
During my visit, one resident accompanied our group of attorneys and social workers for the entire tour. She smiled, asked questions, and seemed deeply engaged. Only afterward did our guide explain that she didn’t speak English—and that even her Dutch wasn’t understandable due to her condition. But that didn’t matter. She felt included. She felt home.
How Hogeweyk Is Redefining Dementia Care
What makes Hogeweyk different isn’t just the design—it’s the philosophy.
Here are just a few ways Hogeweyk is reshaping how we think about memory care:
- Freedom and Dignity: Instead of controlling behavior, the environment encourages self-expression and choice. Caregivers dress in everyday clothes and assist quietly within the routines of daily life.
- Familiar Living Spaces: There are no sterile nurse stations. Instead, each home has a real kitchen and dining room, where residents help prepare meals or fold laundry if they choose.
- Community Connection: Many activities are led by local volunteers. Clubs and hobbies give residents a sense of purpose and connection.
- Personalized Care: Residents are grouped by lifestyle—rural, urban, artistic, etc.—so their homes reflect familiar customs and meals, honoring their backgrounds and life stories.
At Hogeweyk, one phrase guides everything they do:
“A well-lived day leads to a restful night.”
It’s a powerful reminder that quality of life isn’t just about medical care—it’s about meaning, identity, and human connection.
Why U.S. Dementia Care Falls Short
In the United States, dementia care often prioritizes risk management and liability avoidance. The result? Highly controlled environments that may keep people physically safe but strip away the very things that make life worth living: independence, routine, and meaningful interaction.
Behaviors like sundowning—which cause distress in many traditional facilities—are rare at Hogeweyk. Why? Because the focus isn’t on restriction. It’s on fulfillment.
What This Means for Families Navigating Dementia Care in Michigan
As an elder law attorney, I’ve helped several hundred of families navigate the legal, financial, and emotional challenges of dementia. I’ve seen the heartbreak, the fear, the guilt—and I’ve seen the fierce love that drives people to seek the best care possible.
While we don’t have a Hogeweyk here in Michigan (yet), we can move closer to that model in the way we:
- Advocate for better dementia care policies
- Support care environments that value dignity and autonomy
- Ask providers to focus on emotional well-being, not just safety
- Help families create care plans that reflect their loved one’s true identity
Moving Forward: Let’s Expect More from Dementia Care
Hogeweyk showed me that a different kind of dementia care is possible. One that’s rooted in compassion, personalization, and community—not just containment. It’s not about pretending dementia isn’t difficult. It’s about imagining that life with dementia can still include joy, purpose, and connection.