Oakwood Creative Care (OCC), an Arizona nonprofit dedicated to enhancing quality of life for older adults living with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and other age-related cognitive and physical challenges, is celebrating a groundbreaking milestone in dementia care: the opening of what is being called the first dementia village in the United States.
A Big Move by Willow Valley Communities
The Marlin and Doris Thomas Memory Care Center at Willow Valley Communities in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, recently celebrated its opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Inspired by the internationally recognized Hogeweyk Dementia Village in the Netherlands, the new community represents a dramatically different approach to supporting people living with dementia: one centered on autonomy, engagement, connection, and quality of life.
Rather than resembling a traditional memory care facility, the seven-acre community is designed to feel like a neighborhood. Residents will live in household-style environments and have opportunities to move around a secure community with spaces for dining, shopping, socializing, wellness, and everyday life. The center is expected to welcome 82 residents beginning next year.
The Dementia Village & What It Means for the Future of Aging
For OCC, the opening represents more than the arrival of a new facility. It reflects a growing national movement toward reimagining what life with dementia can look like, something OCC has been championing for the last 50 years.
“People living with dementia are still people with stories to tell, choices to make, relationships to build, and so much life left to live,” said Sherri Friend, President and CEO of OCC.
“For too long, dementia care has focused on what a person has lost. Innovations like this challenge all of us to instead ask: What is still possible? How can we create environments where people continue to experience purpose, independence, belonging, and JOY?”
This philosophy is embedded in every pillar of OCC’s services. Across its Adult Day Clubs, community support Hubs, and the OakFit healthy living and resilience clinic, OCC moves beyond traditional models of senior care by creating opportunities for older adults living with Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, the effects of stroke, and other cognitive challenges to continue learning, moving, making music, building friendships, and engaging in meaningful activities within their communities.
A Call to Take More Steps Forward
OCC also recognizes that creating a more dementia-friendly world extends beyond the walls of any one organization or community. It is a call to action for businesses, healthcare providers, public spaces, neighborhoods, families, and community leaders to reconsider how people living with dementia remain included and supported.
“This is the kind of innovation that moves the entire conversation forward,” Friend said.
“Whether someone lives in Pennsylvania or right here in Arizona, they deserve a community that sees the person before the diagnosis. We applaud Willow Valley Communities for investing in a model that recognizes dignity, ability, connection, and quality of life as essential parts of dementia support.”
As the number of Americans affected by dementia continues to grow, OCC believes innovations like this offer an opportunity for communities across the country to challenge the stigma of aging by empowering everyone to continue living meaningful lives, even after diagnosis.
“Every one of us can take up a role in building a dementia-friendly village.”
Watch: One-of-a-Kind Dementia Village
Creative Aging, at Every Stage & for Every Age
Oakwood Creative Care is bringing back the JOY in aging! We believe a diagnosis should not have to define your life. Instead, we have devoted our mission to reigniting hope for caregivers and older adults with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and other age-related challenges.
