The United States is preparing to open its first dementia village, a $40 million project designed to feel like a neighborhood rather than a nursing home. Led by Agrace, the project will be built on the Fitchburg campus near Madison, with construction beginning this year and doors expected to open in September 2027.
The Safe Village will house up to 65 residents and include shops, a restaurant, theater and green spaces, providing an alternative model of care as dementia diagnoses continue to rise across the country.At the heart of the development are eight small cottage-style homes instead of one large facility. Each house will accommodate about eight people, with private bedrooms, shared kitchens and living rooms.
The goal, Agris says, is to recreate the rhythms of daily life and reduce the stress and confusion often associated with institutional environments.
How to reshape a dementia village Elderly care
Beyond the homes, the campus will have amenities that reflect a real city. Residents will be able to visit a grocery store, eat at a restaurant, attend movie screenings at the on-site theater, and spend time in parks and gardens. Movement within the village will be unrestricted but safe, allowing people to walk freely while maintaining their safety.
Residents will be grouped based on common interests and life experiences, encouraging familiarity and socialization. Specially trained caregivers will support daily activities, while also living on site in separate studio apartments. This model supports relationship-based care and can help attract and retain staff in a sector facing chronic shortages, Agris says.“Living here will not feel like an institution,” said Lynn Sexten, president and CEO of Agrace.
“We build families that feel right at home, while ensuring people get the care and safety they need.”The American Village is inspired by the pioneering Hoogwijk Dementia Village in the Netherlands which opened in 2009. Similar communities have since been developed in parts of Europe, Australia, Canada and China. Studies with these models indicate improvements in quality of life, reduced anxiety and depression, and decreased psychological distress for families and caregivers.
Meet the growing need
Dementia rates in the United States are expected to rise sharply in the coming decades, and annual diagnoses are expected to double by 2060. More than six million Americans already live with the condition, many of whom experience fragmented or inconsistent care. Agris believes that village-style communities can provide a more humane and effective response to this growing challenge.Agrace said the monthly fees will be similar to assisted living costs.
Families will pay for accommodation and food, while medical services can be covered by insurance. The organization also plans to introduce a sliding fee scale supported by an endowment, with the aim of making the village accessible to people of varying financial means.
Rethinking elderly care
Dementia Village will not treat this condition. Her ambition is different. By replacing closed wards with streets, shops and shared routines, the project seeks to maintain dignity, independence and social connection for as long as possible.If the Wisconsin Village succeeds, it could become a blueprint for how the United States will care for people with dementia in the coming years.
