2023-12-22 19:02:51
BBC Francis, a resident of the village, is determined to continue doing his best in life despite having Alzheimer’s.
Landes Alzheimer’s Village is located in southwestern France. It is a village different from the rest of the villages in the world, because all its residents suffer from senile dementia.
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The village includes a store in the main courtyard that provides its residents with simple grocery items, such as a loaf of French bread, “baguettes,” without charge, so no one needs to remember their wallet.
I suggested to a former farmer, Francis, who kept his daily newspaper, that we go together for a cup of coffee in a nearby restaurant, which represents a center for social gatherings within the village.
I asked Francis how he felt when the doctor told him he had Alzheimer’s disease.
He nodded, and following a period of silence, he said to me: “It is very difficult.”
“I will live my life”
His father also suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, but Francis is not afraid.
He says: “I am not afraid of death, because it will come one day.”
He adds: “During that period, I will live my life despite my illness.”
“I’m here to live, even if it’s not the same,” Francis says.
He adds: “If you give up, the disease will overcome you.” So you must move forward and make your best efforts.”
In addition to the store and restaurant, the village managers encourage its residents to attend the theater and participate in activities.
BBC Philip and Vivien live as normal a life as they can
Philip and Vivian told me that they continue to live as normal a life as possible even following being diagnosed with dementia.
“We’re going for a walk,” Philippe says, looking away. walk”.
When I asked them if they were happy, he immediately turned his head and told me with an optimistic smile: “Yes, we are, really happy.”
BBC The village is part of a research project
Then, following finishing drinking coffee and putting on warm clothes, the couple went back for a walk in the park.
The village guide says time passes differently here.
There are no set times for doing things, shopping or cleaning, just a gentle rhythm to persuade and encourage the villagers in order to provide them with as much freedom as possible.
The village is being closely monitored, and the doctor, Elaine Ameyeva, says that preliminary results indicate that the lifestyle in the village is already affecting the condition of patients.
She adds: “We are accustomed to seeing patients’ cognitive level deteriorate rapidly when they enter a treatment institution, but we do not notice this happening in this institution.”
“We are observing a very smooth kind of development,” says Elaine. “We have some reasons to believe that this type of institution can influence treatment.”
BBC Doctor Elaine Ameyeva says that families feel reassured regarding relatives living in the village
Doctors also observed a “sharp decline” in feelings of guilt and anxiety among patients’ families.
“I feel at peace, because I know she is reassured and safe,” Dominique says, pointing to her 89-year-old mother, Morissette, sitting in her bedroom.
The room contains many family photos, paintings, and family furniture, and it also contains a large window overlooking a garden.
Since there are no specific appointments for the village residents to visit, the patients’ families come to visit them at a time that suits them, and Dominique says that she and her sisters did not expect at all that the care would be so good.
She adds: “When I leave her (her mother), I feel reassured, and when I visit her, I feel as if I am at home, at home with my mother.”
BBC Dominique can see her mother Morissette at any time
Each chalet accommodates regarding eight people, consists of one floor, and contains a shared kitchen, living and dining rooms.
Although village residents pay a financial contribution to the foundation, the costs of care, similar to an intermediate nursing home, are mainly covered by the French government’s Department of the Territory, which paid $22 million for the village’s construction.
When the village opened in 2020, it was the second village of its kind, and the only one to be subject to a research project.
It is still believed that there are less than ten villages like it in the world.
However, this village has received global attention, especially from those looking for a solution to combat the expected rapid growth of dementia.
BBC The village encourages its residents to visit the store every day
Inside a hairdressing center in the village, 65-year-old Patricia, who had just finished drying her hair, said that the “Lande Alzheimer’s Village” gave her life back.
She added: “I was living at home, but I was bored.”
“I had a cook, I was tired, I didn’t feel good,” she says. “I knew that Alzheimer’s disease was not easy, I was afraid.”
“I wanted to be in a place where I might help, too,” Patricia adds. “In other care homes, everything is specific, but they don’t do anything.”
She adds: “But here, there is real life.” And when I say real, I mean it really is real.”
BBCPatricia says village life is more like real life
Dementia often causes those suffering from it to become isolated.
But it’s different here in this village, where there is a strong sense of community, and people really care regarding seeing each other and participating in activities.
Researchers say that this social aspect represents the key to enjoying a happier, and perhaps healthier, life in light of dementia.
BBC
About 120 people live in the village, the same number of health care professionals, and some volunteers.
The specialists provide full support to every resident who suffers from an advanced medical condition.
Although this stage represents winter in the lives of these residents, the work team in the village here believe that it is a winter that comes slowly and is accompanied by happiness throughout the journey.
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