Heathcote Dementia Village

Central Victoria could become the home for one of Australia’s first dementia friendly villages – boosting the local economy to the tune of 260 ongoing jobs and injecting $15m per year into local businesses.

The concept of a dementia facility integrated into a friendly town promotes social interaction and lifestyle. Happier residents spend more time in the fresh air and exercising, so have fewer complexities associated with their illness, require less medication, and perform daily living activities for much longer than those in traditional care,

Working with Bendigo City Council, local group Advance Heathcote and their business advisors (Bridge Advisory); H/Advisors APA mapped a public affairs plan to take the concept from vision to reality. This included working through the business feasibility study, with government to gain financial support, with locals to grow a movement behind the village, and to generate opportunities for partners and donations.

The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety was undertaking hearings as the Heathcote Village concept started taking shape. In January 2020, the Commission’s Research Paper 3 – Review of Innovative Models of Aged Care called the village approach “innovative”:

“People living with dementia themselves have reported that the features they would like in residential aged care are…supports for independence,exercise and sport opportunities including areas for walking, lifestyle and diet (including palatable food). In terms of design, people with dementia…would also like connections to the general community, family and friends within the home including the opportunity for people to be able to stay overnight.”

Work on the project continues with a focus on finding a site and finding partners to operate and fund the proposed facilities.