Doreen Freeland, a former “land girl” during World War II in Britain, is now 94 years old and residing at The Village Langley, a dementia care facility near Vancouver. The facility, spanning five acres, resembles a community with various amenities like a store, hair salon, café, woodworking shop, and animal barn.
Diagnosed with dementia five years ago, Freeland now participates in the facility’s activities, including tending to garden beds, feeding chickens, and spending time with friends and animals, particularly the goats she adores. Her daughter, Gail Deyle, who is also her full-time caregiver, brings her to the facility’s adult day program weekly.
The Village Langley, housing about 75 residents in six cottage-style homes, caters to individuals in the mid-to-late stages of dementia or with other cognitive impairments. Elroy Jespersen, the co-founder, initiated the concept based on experiences from decades of working in senior homes, aiming to provide a more engaging and dignified living environment for residents.
The facility is part of a research project by Simon Fraser University and McMaster University to assess the impact of such settings on individuals with dementia. This initiative aims to create evidence-backed policies to enhance long-term care practices nationwide, promoting a more supportive and enriched care community.
Despite the positive outcomes observed at The Village, concerns about affordability persist, with costs ranging from $10,000 to $13,000 per month. Jespersen hopes that the research findings will advocate for government funding to make such care accessible to a broader population. While farm-style care is not a cure for dementia, experts highlight the benefits of social interaction, physical activity, and outdoor engagement in improving the well-being of individuals with dementia.
As the number of Canadians living with dementia continues to rise, organizations like the Alzheimer Society emphasize the importance of combating stigma and facilitating social inclusion for individuals with dementia. The Village Langley serves as a model for fostering connections and enhancing the quality of life for residents like Freeland.