The Village of Hope is a project of Mature Resources Foundation. Village of Hope is a community developed with the specific purpose of changing the lives of those 5.8 million American’s living with dementia. We believe that people living with dementia should not be separated from community, engagement and interpersonal experiences.
The Village of Hope will support those living with dementia to age in place in the community supported by their housing, environment and community as a whole. The Village of Hope will be comprised of people of all ages and abilities living together in a supportive community for those with dementia.
Village of Hope is not a facility, it is a village whose strength arises from the connectedness within the community. Everyone living, studying and growing in the community will be taught methods for communicating and supporting others in the community. The Village of Hope will create opportunities for creative expression through arts, engagement through music and sound and interactions with people of all ages.
Housing in the Village of Hope will be made of up small homes developed by Dr. Bill Thomas’s company Minka. Minka homes are created with the concept of aging in place in mind through the incorporation of smart home technology. As needs of the residents of the Minka increase the technological features of the home can be turned on.
Village of Hope is based on Dr. Thomas’s M.A.G.I.C. concept which is multi ability, multi generational, inclusive, community. Dr. Thomas states: “It is now becoming clear that the deliberate effort to segregate people living with dementia actually weakens people living with dementia, their families, and their communities. They are also very expensive while at the same time requiring family and loved ones to be separated from each other. In fact, people and communities are stronger and more resilient when they can rely on each other. Interdependence is the foundation of independence. The Village of Hope will become a replicable model that can reduce expenditures from public programs while improving the health and well-being of people living with dementia, their families, and the surrounding communities. It can change the way we organize and deliver supportive services in the context of dementia in Clearfield County, and across the country”.
The Village of Hope also creates needed infrastructure for the community where it is located in rural Lecontes Mills Pennsylvania. The village brings to the community an adult day center, grocery and general store, memory café and restaurant, clinical and medical facilities, pharmacy, multi purpose room for theatre, art and congregate meals, art studio and music rehearsal spaces and a family room to accommodate overnight and out of town visitors.
We believe that living with dementia can be different and seek to create a solution to increases joy and quality of life for all community members. We believe that costs associated with caring for those living with dementia can be reduced through our model. We believe that there is hope for positive change to the current treatment of those living with dementia.
Visit our website for more information
www.ourvillageofhope.com
