Everything old is new again: a new model for memory care villages in downtown Lindsay, Ontario, to reduce the effects of dementia

Abstract

As of 2023 statistics, a person develops dementia every three seconds worldwide. Research in neurology, gerontology, and medicine has revealed numerous factors in the built environment that lead to an increased likelihood of developing dementia, yet this research is often not leveraged enough by architects. This thesis offers a design framework developed from multidisciplinary research and evidence-based principles to propose a model for long-term care facilities that productively counters the physical and emotional factors that accelerate residents’ cognitive decline. The mid-sized town of Lindsay, in southern Ontario, was selected as the site for the design of a dementia village, due to its ageing population and the lack of suitable long-term care facilities. Focusing on the downtown site of the historic mill, the architecture, urban design, and wayfinding foster direct community integration, promote intergenerational relationships, and facilitate social interactions that improve the quality of life of residents and the larger community.