In Fitchburg, a suburb located just south of Madison, a healthcare organization called Agrace is launching America’s first “dementia village.” This new community is specially designed for people living with dementia. Residents will be able to shop for groceries, walk through gardens, eat at a café, and move around freely in a safe environment. Caregivers and trained staff will be present throughout the village to provide support while allowing residents to maintain as much independence as possible. Agrace President Lynne Sexten said the goal is to create a place that feels like a real neighborhood instead of a traditional nursing home. The idea is inspired by a similar dementia care model in the Netherlands. The $40 million project is expected to begin construction in the spring and will accommodate up to 65 residents when it opens next year.
