The dementia care solution that arrives on the back of a truck
An architecturally designed, 1.5-bedroom care villa, featuring the latest in dementia design and cutting-edge technology, is being trialed in Victoria, and offers an innovative potential care option, particularly for regional and remote areas. For country families with a loved one living with dementia, support and care can be located hundreds of kilometres away, and availability of services is often limited. For the last four years, Not For Profit community organisation Heathcote Dementia Alliance (HDA) has been researching and planning an innovative solution: hi-tech, small homes meticulously designed especially for those living with dementia. These ‘care villas’ can be delivered on the back of a truck to rural properties or be delivered to sites to form small community clusters where centralised care is available..
HDA, which is made up of volunteers, was established in 2014 in Heathcote, Victoria, 100km north of Melbourne, to reimagine dementia care services by providing housing solutions and respite, particularly for those living in rural and regional areas.
Four years of planning “For the past four years, we have researched, held community focus groups, taken advice from experts and above all, listened to feedback provided by carers and people living with dementia,” Sandra Slatter (pictured), Founder and President of HDA, told SATURDAY.
Inspiration for the care villas also came, in part, from a 2014 visit to Hogeweyk, located outside Amsterdam, Holland, the world’s first resident-centred dementia village where residents are enabled to live independently. The outcome of DHA’s research is Costerfield House, a 1.5-bedroom smart care villa designed for people to have “in their backyards” on rural and regional properties. Designed by architect Simon Drysdale (a former HDA board member), the 70 square metre care villas will sell for between $220,000 and $240,000, including installation. A Costerfield House prototype was built in Mildura and transported to Heathcote, where it sits alongside Heathcote Hospital. Since September 2023, the smart villa has been used as a ‘living lab’, with research and testing informing the future development of the care villa. Funding for the pilot has come from donations from members of the community, local businesses, and community groups, and locals have volunteered their time with some aspects of the fit-out to keep costs down. Costerfield House has successfully completed its first testing period, and will be transported to Merbein, 10km west of Mildura and 550km northwest of Melbourne, for further research and testing and will eventually be used for respite tourism.
Costerfield House design
Costerfield House’s design is inspired by the country setting in which the homes will sit. Sponsor Wattyl Paints developed a dementia-friendly colour palette. After lengthy consultations with experts and the community, a bright golden yellow colour has been used at the entrance of the building and for the window frames, and is a key feature of Costerfield House. Costerfield House features the latest in dementia design. When you enter the home, a swipe card opens the door, turns on the lights and television, and opens the blinds. Appliances and fittings can be controlled with a single button, and many are voice activated using Alexa, the voice of Amazon’s digital assistant.
Sensors and alert devices worn by the resident combine with Artificial Intelligence and machine learning to monitor and assess the resident’s movements and behaviours, such as sleep, bathroom visits, meal preparation, and vital statistics such as blood pressure. ‘Red flags’ are sent to family or care staff if triggers are activated, for example, if a fall is detected or if the fridge has not been opened by a certain time in the morning. Medication dispensers automatically release medication and send an alert if medication has not been taken. A circadian rhythm feature matches the home’s lighting to the daylight and is said to improve energy levels and sleep patterns. Automatic blinds open in the morning and close at night. High-quality audio equipment is fitted into the light fixtures and can play music or peaceful recordings of the natural environment.
Cupboards have clear doors so residents can see the inside contents.
personal. A decade ago, Sandra was asked to lead a steering group looking at dementia care services in the Heathcote region. Having had her own cancer diagnosis previously and given only four years to live at the time, now far exceeded, Sandra could relate to the challenges families facing a dementia diagnosis were facing. Her husband also had cancer. Sandra has a particular interest in supporting carers. “They start grieving with the dementia diagnosis and they have to give up everything,” she said. From that initial steering group, Sandra has just kept on going. “My heart goes out to the families,” she said. “If I have the skills and expertise to help, I’ll do all I can do.” Commercialising the care villas Due to keen interest in the smart care villas, HDA formed a Profit for Purpose organisation Care Villas Australia (CVA) to commercialise development of the smart villas. CVA have created a community cluster concept, with each cluster including five care villas, a display/training facility, a community hub, and a garden. CVA, along with partner Rural Care Australia, which is providing the land in Merbein, have secured a planning permit. CVA is currently working with a number of partner organisations on a grant application to secure funds to build the cluster, and is seeking donations. The original Costerfield House will sit alongside the cluster project. “We’re really proud”
Last year Gaelle Broad MP, the state member of Northern Victoria congratulated HDA on the pilot in Parliament.
“This prototype is an inspiring look at the future and how to care for relatives and friends living with dementia. Costerfield House is a transportable, purpose-built facility that provides a safe environment for people to live independently and with dignity."
“The idea has great potential for rural and regional communities, as care villas are transportable and allow for in-home care in a familiar environment.
“I congratulate Heathcote Dementia Alliance founder and president Sandra Slatter and her team.”
"We’re really proud,” Sandra said. “To say that a community organisation, which is a Not For Profit charity, a very small, full volunteer organisation has been able to come up with this – it’s a real credit to the team.”