A new $40 million community designed specifically for people with dementia is planned to open in Wisconsin by 2027. It will be the first of its kind in the United States.
Agrace, a nonprofit healthcare organization, is heading a large initiative to develop a new kind of community-based care for people with dementia. This approach offers an alternative to traditional nursing homes as more Americans are diagnosed with the condition.
I’m so excited to hear they’re building the new facility right on Agrace’s campus in Fitchburg, near Madison, Wisconsin! They’re starting construction this spring, and it’s scheduled to open in September 2027 – that feels like a long way off, but it’ll be worth the wait!
The campus will have eight homes designed to feel cozy and inviting, not like a hospital or clinic. Each home will offer private bedrooms, along with shared kitchens and living areas to create a warm, comfortable environment.
Modeled after a groundbreaking Dutch concept
Each house will be home to eight people who share common hobbies and backgrounds. They’ll participate in everyday activities and programs, and receive support from caregivers who have specific training.
So, they’re building apartments right on the grounds for the staff to live in – private studios, which is cool. Apparently, Agrace thinks this will draw in people who really want to connect with the residents and do meaningful work, and it’s a way to tackle the staffing problems a lot of long-term care facilities are facing. It sounds like they’re trying to build a really dedicated team!
Honestly, the dorms here aren’t like your typical institutional buildings at all. They’re really focusing on making each living space feel like a proper home – not just a place to sleep, but a comfortable, individual household. That’s what the CEO, Lynne Sexten, said in a recent announcement, and it’s definitely how it feels!
The campus will offer more than just homes, with amenities like a restaurant, spa, grocery store, shops, and a movie theater. There will also be plenty of outdoor areas, including parks and gardens. Residents can enjoy all of this within a safe and secure environment.
Sexten explained that the village is being carefully planned to both keep residents with dementia safe and offer them a lively and engaging community.
This new community is the first of its kind in the U.S., but it’s based on a successful idea that started in the Netherlands with the Hogeweyk dementia village, which opened in 2009. The concept of creating village-like communities for those with dementia has since spread to Europe, Australia, China, and Canada.
I recently read about this amazing village idea, and the founder, Eloy van Hal, told a newspaper that it’s actually working really well! He said people who live there are noticeably happier and healthier – they stay longer and are doing better physically, mentally, and even spiritually. It’s just great to hear that something like this can make such a positive difference in people’s lives.
The number of people with dementia is expected to increase significantly in the years ahead. Currently, about 6 million Americans live with the condition, and around 500,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. Experts predict this number will rise to 1 million new cases annually by 2060. Unfortunately, many people with dementia aren’t receiving the ongoing, well-coordinated care they need.
As a long-time follower of this research, it’s really disheartening to hear Dr. Sexten explain that studies consistently show a steep and steady decrease in quality of life for patients, starting from the moment they’re diagnosed and continuing until the end. It’s just a really tough reality to face.
This Wisconsin village will be home to as many as 65 people who live there full-time. It will also host 40 to 50 Day Club members, who live with their families but come to campus each day for activities.
Agrace hasn’t announced how much care will cost yet. Families will be responsible for the daily living expenses, and medical bills will likely be submitted to their insurance.
According to an Agrace representative, monthly costs for residents will be similar to those at typical assisted living centers. Agrace also offers financial assistance, adjusting fees based on a person’s ability to pay, thanks to its endowment fund.
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2026-02-17 23:49