From Institutions to Neighborhoods: The Rise of Dementia Villages and a New Vision for Memory Care

Imagine a neighborhood where people living with dementia shop at a local market, sit at a pub with friends, and enjoy clubs tailored to their lifelong passions. This is not a fantasy—it’s reality in The Hogeweyk®, the groundbreaking “dementia village” in the Netherlands that’s changing everything we thought we knew about long-term care.

2025 marks a powerful milestone at AGE-u-cate Training Institute: 10 years of Dementia Live® transforming the way communities, professionals, and families understand and support people living with dementia.

Dementia isn’t a far-off concern for tomorrow’s healthcare professionals. It’s an urgent reality. One that demands not just knowledge—but empathy.

How Employers Can Lead in Supporting Family Caregivers — and Where AGE-u-cate Fits In

At the Penn State College of Nursing, empathy is being taught through experience.

At AGE-u-cate Training Institute, we believe dementia care extends far beyond healthcare facilities and into the heart of our neighborhoods. While dementia is often perceived as a personal or familial challenge, the reality is that it touches every layer of our society. Creating dementia-friendly communities is not simply a noble ideal — it’s a growing necessity that directly impacts the quality of life for millions.

Caring for people living with dementia is not just challenging—it’s profoundly personal, deeply emotional, and often exhausting. Healthcare providers regularly find themselves navigating a complex emotional landscape filled with stress, grief, and sometimes, feelings of helplessness. This can quickly lead to compassion fatigue, a state of emotional and physical exhaustion that affects both professional and family caregivers alike.