Exploring Innovative Residential Options for Persons with Alzheimer’s Disease

On October 22, 2018, the Founder and Director of the Dementia Village in Weesp, Netherlands, Eloy van Hal, provided an operational overview of the renowned facility created in 2009 as an alternative to traditional institutionalized care provided in nursing homes. This village, for individuals with Alzheimer’s or other cognitive impairments, groups residents with shared interests and backgrounds in family-like settings in carefully designed environments emphasizing open, outdoor spaces and amenities like parks, a restaurant, grocery store and auditorium. It’s a new twist on assisted living, enabling residents to stay active with trained staff helping to maintain their freedom and abilities. Following the presentation, a panel discussion focused on how to bring these innovations to senior and dementia-related facilities in New York.

Welcome and Introductions:
Honorable Donna Corrado, New York City Commissioner for the Department of Aging (DFTA)
Judith D. Grimaldi, Grimaldi & Yeung LLP and Chair, NYSBA Elder Law and Special Needs Section

Featured Speaker:
Eloy van Hal, Founder and Senior Managing Consultant of De Hogeweyk, Weesp, the Netherlands.

Panel:
Can a Dementia Village be created in New York? What policies, design, space and funding do we need to make it happen?

Sponsoring Association Committees:
Legal Problems of the Aging Committee, Britt Burner, Chair
Housing & Urban Development Committee, Daniel M. Bernstein and Jennifer Kubicki, Co-Chairs
Disability Law Committee, John Egan, Chair

Co-Sponsoring Organizations:

NYSBA Elder Law and Special Needs Section, Judith Grimaldi, Chair
Dynasty Advisors LLC 
Alzheimer’s Foundation of America