Dementia is the second leading cause of death of Australians, contributing to 5.4 percent of all deaths in males and 10.6 percent of all deaths in females each year.

In 2018, there is an estimated 425,416 Australians living with dementia, 191,367 (45 percent) males and 234,049 (55 percent) females.

The concept of care for people with dementia is experiencing some revolutionary changes.

The building of Hogeweyk in 2009, in Weesp Netherlands, is a world first. It is a nursing home designed to look like the outside world. The village comprises 23 specially designed houses each with six to eight residents.

Each home has a caregiver who cooks, takes people to do the grocery shopping at the village market and watches over them to ensure their safety. They use an in-house currency so it provides that continual real life experience.

The facilities include a theatre, café, streets, squares and a bar. The theatre and restaurant are open to the public as a means of raising extra funds. The village has set up houses which reflect different lifestyles. 

Closer to home, a new dementia specific development is being built in Tasmania called Korongee.

Tasmania has the oldest and fastest-ageing population.

It is Australia’s first suburban village specifically designed for people with dementia and will reflect the local Tasmanian landscape. It aims to provide life experiences in a real environment, meaning they are free to wander around in a supported environment. 

These centres are offering a new way of looking at how we care for our population with dementia.