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Site works start on Australia-first dementia village

Final plans for a cutting edge Australian first suburban village designed to recreate real life experiences for people living with dementia were unveiled on 17 December. Funded through a social impact investment with industry super fund HESTA, managed by Social Ventures Australia (SVA), and to be built with some assistance from the Commonwealth Government, Korongee’s village structure will be based on a typical Tasmanian streetscape.

Glenview CEO Lucy O’Flaherty said the timing of this project highlights the need to change how we provide care for people who are living with dementia who are no longer able to live in their own home.

“Korongee returns to the simple home truths of ‘it takes a village’, pushing the boundaries in terms of doing something innovative and different in aged care,” she said.

Ms O’Flaherty explained that one of the key elements of the village design is the small house model, which forms the basis of the design of Korongee.

“It highlights the significance of living in small houses with people whose values you share and have something in common with. In large buildings, the sense of institution is unavoidably present when you walk through the front door and any well-meaning ideology can easily be lost. With a village like Korongee, you walk into small homes, all with dementia design principals throughout, and a sense of the everyday is much easier to maintain.”

Ms O’Flaherty said that Korongee’s design will make it possible for residents living with dementia to walk around the village and participate in everyday life decisions which are presently not always available to those in traditional residential based dementia care – activities such as going to the café to buy a coffee or simply heading to the supermarket to buy groceries for dinner.

“In addition to the commercial hub, Korongee will consist of 12 houses, each with eight bedrooms which will be staffed by care professionals who will help reinforce the authentic home like environment,” she said.

Glenview commissioned The University of Tasmania to undertake work in creating a tool based on evidence to enable a matching of individuals and the type of house they move into. This is based on values, demography and a range of other factors.

“Creating an authentic environment is the key to this cutting edge model, with residents within each house to be matched by their similar backgrounds, experiences, interests and skills,” said Ms O’Flaherty.

“The Korongee village concept draws on a range of national and international best practice models, while contextualising this into a uniquely Tasmanian experience.”

Forging a strong connection with the community will be of upmost importance to the success of the project, said Ms O’Flaherty.

“We embrace the immense value to be found in working with local people and embedding Korongee within the community. The significance of social engagement, job creation and education opportunities linked with the community cannot be underestimated.

“Once complete, people will be encouraged to visit the village to enjoy the gardens, visit the beauty salon or have a coffee in the café.”

Director of the Wicking Dementia and Research Centre and Glenview board member James Vickers said with dementia emerging as the most important health issue of the century, the rapidly rising prevalence of this condition would have tremendous impacts across our society.

“It is vitally important to reconfigure our approach to care in order to meet the needs, as well as support the dignity and autonomy, of people living with dementia now and into the future,” he said.

“The built environment and the way we provide support and care have significant effects on personal wellbeing, as well as the progression of dementia, and so the Korongee model is a vital development and will be an internationally leading beacon for innovation in aged and dementia care.”

 

To obtain the full media release or to arrange a media interview, please contact communications and marketing officer Dawn Green:

P: (03) 6277 8800

E: [email protected]

Site works start on Australia-first dementia village