A partnership with the University of Canberra (UC) will see the ACT gain its first purpose-built dementia care village.
The university has signed a memorandum of understanding with The Neighbourhood Canberra (TNC), which seeks to build a $40 million village designed to support the around-the-clock needs of people living with dementia, while still offering services to non-residents to build intergenerational connections with the broader community.
According to UC Vice-Chancellor Professor Paddy Nixon, the facility will benefit from the expertise of UC’s dementia researchers across many faculties.
“It will be valuable for TNC to have our researchers so extensively engaged with the project, so they can develop industry-proven innovations that are backed up by the latest research.
“The partnership will give our students even more opportunities for unique Work Integrated Learning opportunities right here in the Canberra community,” he said.
The village’s 15 homes will house six residents each, with community facilities including coffee shop, library, hairdresser, and childcare centre also on site.
Luisa Capezio, President of TNC, says the university’s input will shape best-practice approach to the care provided in the village.
“We have a lot of ideas, but at this stage, they’re just ideas. With the University’s help, we’ll be able to really push a lot of them forward to the implementation stage.
“Once everything is up and running, there’s also a very exciting prospect for the partnership to flourish with ongoing employment and training,” she said.
A $25 million dementia care village, Korongee, opened in Hobart last July, and is run by Glenview Community Services; community operator Boandik is also building a village in Mount Gambier, South Australia.
