Under the Spotlight – Developing Dutch Models of Care in a NZ Environment

Under the Spotlight – Developing Dutch Models of Care in a NZ Environment

Developing Dutch Models of Care in a New Zealand Environment

In a bold new move to further revolutionise the way dementia care is provided in the Southern Hemisphere, a New Zealand based residential aged care provider have engaged Ansell Strategic to undertake a feasibility study for the development of a world class dementia village in the Southernmost City of New Zealand, Invercargill.

With most developed countries experiencing a rapidly ageing population, dementia presents itself as a growing area of concern for Governments and Health Care systems worldwide. With New Zealand and Australia being no exception, the levels of persons affected by dementia in both countries is expected to significantly rise in the next decade.  Specifically, the number of New Zealanders affected by the degenerative condition is expected to exceed 100,000 persons by 2030, an increase of almost 40,000 persons since estimates in 2016.  The development will seek to replicate many of the care concepts employed in the internationally acclaimed De Hogeweyk ‘dementia village’ in the Dutch community of Weesp, the Netherlands.  Since its establishment in 2009, The De Hogeweyk care concept has gained worldwide attention for its transformative approach to dementia care.

Constructed with a deliberate resemblance to its surrounds, the village blends into the local community in such a way that it is almost indiscernible to the neighbourhood houses and shops.  The site features cobbled streets lined with flowerbeds and fountains, a local grocery store, village café, restaurant and a hair salon. The concept brings to life a

The site features cobbled streets lined with flowerbeds and fountains, a local grocery store, village café, restaurant and a hair salon. The concept brings to life a care environment where dementia afflicted seniors are able to live normal, individualistic and social lives in small grouped households with people of similar lifestyles and values.  The Dutch model has proven groundbreaking in its ability to care for severely dementia afflicted elders.

The Dutch model has proven groundbreaking in its ability to care for severely dementia afflicted elders.  Residents introduced into the small house groupings structure of De Hogeweyk reportedly experience reduced levels of challenging behaviours, reduced need for some medications and increased appetite.

Additionally, satisfaction surveys show De Hogeweyk residents and family as 8.9 out of 10 relative to the country wide average of 7.5. Such outcomes are a clear goal for the Invercargill provider.
Ansell Strategic have been engaged to leverage from our specialised sector knowledge and experience to develop a service model that will uphold the essence of De Hogeweyk and reconceptualised to thrive within the context of New Zealand.

The exploration into this model in New Zealand is not entirely unprecedented. In recent years, the Whare Aroha facility in the North Island city of Rotorua has been conceptualised on the Dutch model. The facility, named Whare Aroha Care (which translates to “House of Love” or “House of Caring” in indigenous Maori language) is scheduled to open its doors in September this year and will be the first of its kind in New Zealand.

It appears that the drive to develop new service models for residential aged care in New Zealand continues to grow. Further, just last week Glenview Tasmania has announced plans to construct a dementia village similarly based on the De Hogeweyk care concept. In line with these trends, Ansell Strategic will leverage from internationally esteemed and innovative models to adapt the De Hogeweyk concept and philosophy of care within Invercargill.

However, whilst looking to international examples to provide direction around service model development and building structure can lead to innovative design, there can be complex implications when transferring concepts to countries operating under different aged care funding models.

The New Zealand and Australian aged care funding models are typically classified as mixed funding systems, whereby residents and the government both contribute to the cost of care. Comparatively the Netherlands operate under a more tax-financed system, allowing for residential aged care models to be developed based on optimal community modelling rather than a focus on efficiency, scale or aesthetics.

Within a more volatile funding pool with an increasing reliance on consumers to fund their own care, it is important that the transferability of the radically styled Dutch model in question is considered in the context of New Zealand. Specifically, our feasibility analysis will involve undertaking substantial financial modelling and extensive market analysis to ensure the proposed model is of optimum scale and design.

This intricate study will likely provide us with great insight into what the future of dementia care in the Southern Hemisphere may involve. Should this model prove feasible in the aged care sector down under, it is possible the model may be replicated in future developments of dementia specific service models throughout Australia. Ultimately, it will be wise to keep up to date with how the model may evolve and roll out in countries not so dissimilar to our own.