'dementia Villages' In Holland

[kvalidir]

Just read a really interesting, sad and uplifting article about the way Holland is now starting to house and treat it's dementia sufferers. I think if I get to be that old and suffer from dementia I'd rather live in a dementia village than in a regular care home. Is it right we ' lie' to them to increase their happiness? In this instance I think so, what does everyone else think?
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2109801/Dementiaville-How-experimental-new-town-taking-elderly-happier-healthier-pasts-astonishing-results.html

[woofgang]

who is lying?

[baza]

put me down for a place, I read somewhere that some care homes have tried similar with much success.

[sandyRoe]

'O, let me not be mad, not mad, sweet heaven
Keep me in temper: I would not be mad!'
There's much to be said for a heart attack.

[kvalidir]

The staff do not correct them about things which are clearly untrue to protect their happiness Woofgang- that's who are lying- the staff. Personally I think this is perfectly fine, my one brother is horrified by it however.

[woofgang]

by me that's not lying. would your brother rather they spent their final days in a mixture of terror and despair?

[kvalidir]

My brother is actually terrified of exactly that so he's a great advocate ( for himself not necessarily for other people) of euthanasia. He has said for years that he would not wish to live with dementia himself. My brother is a very kind man, he was simply saying that he thought that added to the indignity and horror of dementia for HIM. I disagree, I think it's acceptable under the circumstances.

[woofgang]

then the answer is that its not acceptable for him.

[pixie373]

Yes, a really good idea. It has been very successful in Care homes over the last 20 years, so makes sense. The vulnerability worries me slightly, but presumably there are enough staff around to deter criminals. I would love to work there.

[kvalidir]

I think we've already established that Woofgang.

[kvalidir]

I thought it was absolutely wonderful Pixie, and I can see why anyone in care work would want to be involved with it.

[pixie373]

Yes, it's so individual, kva. Imo, dementia is hardest on the relatives- they struggle to see the changes in someone they know and love. To the person affected, it appears to get better as it gets worse. There is some distress in lucid moments, but as they become rarer, contentment usually follows.

[woofgang]

not always pixie....have you never experienced anyone who is left uncontrollably violent?
kvalidir, that is my answer. Its "right" for those people who would choose it if they could still choose. Its "wrong" for those people who would not.

[pixie373]

Not uncontrollably, no. Angry, yes, which is why i said "usually". I am really tempted to start one of these here - i know which places i want. Hmmmm....

[kvalidir]

That'd be brilliant Pixie. I think there could be a huge market in care facilities like that because certainly it bothers me hat would happen to me, but also what might happen to my parents, and I certainly can't be alone. Could you fund it?

[andres]

Publicly funded at £4,169 a month!! Can't see that happening over here.

[pixie373]

That's cheaper than a nursing home, andres and similar to residential. Plus, presumably, residents would pay for their own bills, food, etc.

[woofgang]

pixie, its not common and they go to very special, usually NHS, care. I only met one gentleman during my career and he was at the point where he became a danger to himself and others, which is how he came to be in a "normal elderly care facility. He was a big man and an ex boxer, although very frail which made it worse.

[pixie373]

It isn't common, in fact the obvious people i can think of who were particularly violent, were all later diagnosed with something else as well. Usually schizophrenia, Aspergers or bipolar.

[pixie373]

Oh- and Huntingdons.

[Peaspeculiars]

Kvalidir - I watched this documentary/ CNN news story on a village a while ago - it is very interesting, definitely worth a watch: