The care social community model of living with dementia is an alternative to the current medical rehabilitation model of care. It is considered by most as a more humane solution to a growing healthcare crisis. The World Health Organization (WHO) considers dementia as a public health priority.
The medical rehabilitation model of care is extremely expensive, especially with the growing number of Alzheimer’s diagnosis at the rate of one every 68 or 69 seconds according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Every healthcare budget is now under extreme pressure to reduce the high costs of dementia care or risk bankruptcy.
When a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s is received by a family, the family goes into a crisis mode and often struggles for months and years to find the best way to provide such specialized care. Also families are separated and then must travel long distances to visit their loved one. Feelings of sadness, anxiety, isolation and grief are common.
The Netherlands Dementia Village and the Dutch Village, a residential dementia care living facilities, offer an improvement over the current medical rehabilitation model (also known as long-term care or nursing home). The person living with dementia is admitted and becomes part of a small group of residents. Families are encouraged to visit but they must also leave to return home. This means the person living with dementia is left behind and separated from their family. Feelings of sadness, anxiety, isolation, and grief continue to exist and grow.
Two things distinguish a care social community from any other facilities or accommodations, including these two villages listed above: the care partnership agreement which includes the family caregiver as a Care Partner™ and the design plan which is scientifically based for such a community.
ICA is leading the way in building such care and social communities for family living. These communities have the distinction of including the family caregiver. It also includes a dementia-specific design to reduce anxiety and other dementia-specific behaviors. Furthermore we can reduce the high cost of dementia care by creating larger interprofessional care teams which includes the family caregiver and dementia coach. The design and care model in a care/social community minimizes isolation and improves the quality of life for everyone.
THIS IS A CALL TO ACTION:
- Developers – we can offer more details and meet with you.
- Investors – leave a legacy for someone you love and change the course of dementia care.
- Caregivers – join the ICA and unite to change the course of dementia care.
Please use our contact option or call us at 1-207-764-1214
Email the care/social community team at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Click the image below to view an interview with Dr. Atherley describing Discus Dementia Home.
