Glenview Community Services is celebrating 5 years of operation of Korongee Dementia Village, a small-house model situated in Derwent Park. The village is perhaps the first of its kind in Australia.
Korongee is a bold experiment in caring for people who live with dementia. Designed as a series of family-style houses placed in a village with a café, gym, hairdresser and grocery store, rather than the typical model with hospital-like rooms off long corridors.
Residents safely walk the meandering paths, participate in various activities, and visit one another in their homes. The Village is designed to be familiar, comforting, and reminiscent of suburban life in Tasmania.
In 2022, It Takes a Village, an hour-long documentary about Korongee and its residents was screened on SBS. The film was made by ROAR film with an introduction:
“By 2050, over a million Australians will be living with dementia and, through them, large numbers of our population will be impacted… since over half of all aged care residents live with dementia, it would seem we have a serious problem.
Korongee Village takes a very different approach to many aspects of dementia care – such as where it sits in the landscape; its physical layout and architecture; the mix of private and public spaces; how residents share living spaces; and how their care is delivered.”
“It Takes a Village examines the ambitious, hopeful debut of a prototype that might revolutionise dementia care around the world.”
To celebrate the 5-year milestone, Korongee residents, families, and Glenview staff gathered for special screenings of the documentary. Emotions were high, with many viewers reaching for tissues as they were reminded of loved ones and staff who had moved on from Korongee.
There were laughs too, like when a son organised a late-night fast food run for his mum and her housemates. He said that although this was not encouraged, the staff accommodated it, and he relished the freedom of providing a special evening for the residents.
Before the screenings, staff spoke about their time at the Village and how its unique model attracted them to seek a position there. CEO Damien Jacobs highlighted that significant lessons were learned during the five-year adventure.
“It is difficult to quantify the success of Korongee, as there is very limited contemporary research to evaluate and measure the positive outcomes for those with dementia in small-house models in Australia. However, in a recent national survey, a question was asked: “How likely are you to recommend this home to someone?”
“The national average was 83% likely while the response from Korongee residents was 94% likely, that’s nearly 10% over the average.”
“We are quietly pleased that our residents are happy and comfortable in their village, and how the small house model is meaningful and beneficial to them and their loved ones.”
Korongee villagers, staff and families at the screening of It Takes a Village in 2025