b"HEALTH CARE DESIGNIllustration of the central courtyard at the Landais Alzheimer's Village in Dax, FranceDesigning with empathyCreating dementia villages as socially sustainable communities that incorporate elements of a home environmentBy Johannes M. Pedersen N ORD Architects has played aIntegration in local communitiesThe Village, which houses 120 major role in the innovationAs people age, it makes sense topatients, consists of 16 units with of international health carestay in a familiar setting; it providesabout eight residents in each house. design for care-home concepts. Wecontinuity in their daily life. MostThe houses are comfortable and have been involved in the creationpeople want to live in close proximityhomey, without the long, connecting of dementia villages, designed liketo friends and family and feel thecorridors typically found in traditional communities, that focus on diversity,security of a well-known city orlong-term care homes. Each house daily-use facilities and a balanced co- landscape. As well, active socialacts as an independent, private unit. existence between residents.relations between people of different ages and backgrounds are vital inThis concept supports varying degrees The number of people diagnosed witheveryday life.of care that can be adjusted from dementia is growing continuously,house to house and adapted to each affecting a younger, more diverseWith that in mind, NORD Architectsresidents individual needs. The aim demographic. This calls for a newhas developed projects that focusis to create conditions that allow approach to health care design on socially sustainable communities,residents to live as active a life as pursuing alliances between civic,possible within the framework of their one that focuses on diversity andpublic and private stakeholders todisease progression.community. Specifically, we needcreate synergy in health care facilities. more flexibility in both our health careThere are familiar amenitiessystem and housing areas to allowAn example is our Alzheimersrestaurant, hairdresser, library, store for the development of residencesVillage in Dax (2020), the first healthand gymall organized around a designed for people staying healthycare centre in France dedicated topublic square. As a result, residents and longer at home. Alzheimer's and dementia patients.experience the Village as a traditional, 44 LONG TERM CARE TODAY Fall/Winter 2021"