In Monza, northern Italy, a pioneering project is reshaping dementia care: the country’s first Alzheimer’s Village, designed to give people with Alzheimer’s and dementia the chance to live with independence, community, and dignity.
The village, known as Il Paese Ritrovato, was created in 2015 by the La Meridiana social cooperative and officially opened in 2018. It is a safe, dementia-friendly community where residents live in protected apartments, move around freely, and decide whether to join social activities or enjoy the privacy of their own space.
According to Marco Fumagalli, vice-president of La Meridiana: “A fundamental principle of this village is freedom – the autonomous choice to manage one’s own life.”
What is an Alzheimer’s Village?
The Alzheimer’s Village in Monza is a purpose-built community inspired by the well-known Hogeweyk dementia village in the Netherlands. It recreates the feel of a traditional Italian village, with small shops, a bar, a gym, a parish church, a cinema, gardens, and even a hairdresser.
Around 100 people – including residents, caregivers, and volunteers – contribute daily to the lively social atmosphere. Unlike traditional care homes, this village provides an environment where those living with dementia can continue enjoying everyday life.
Living spaces designed for independence
The residence is made up of two buildings with eight apartments each, housing 64 residents in total. Every apartment includes eight single rooms with private bathrooms, as well as shared kitchens and living areas.
Residents can personalise their rooms, share communal spaces, and also access the wider village. This layered structure gives people three levels of daily life:
- Private space – their own bedroom and bathroom.
- Community space – shared kitchen and living room within the apartment.
- Social space – the village itself, with shops, services, and activities.
Admission and care model
As a healthcare facility, the Alzheimer’s Village in Monza follows specific admission criteria. Prospective residents must have a diagnosis of dementia and sufficient mobility. Entry involves an assessment by a multidisciplinary team to ensure suitability.
Most residents are referred by families looking for a different approach to dementia care, but rehabilitation centres and healthcare providers also collaborate with the village.
Unlike traditional nursing homes, the Alzheimer’s Village does not impose rigid schedules. Residents are free to decide when to wake up, whether to stay in, or to join social activities. Studies have shown that when people are free to choose, social interaction happens more naturally.
A successful experiment in dementia care
Since its opening in 2018, the Alzheimer’s Village has been widely recognised as an innovative model for dementia care in Italy. Despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, the project has produced valuable research on the role of social life in dementia well-being.
The village has also welcomed almost 300 visiting groups from around the world, becoming a point of reference for professionals and institutions interested in new approaches to Alzheimer’s care.
Today, it is the only Alzheimer’s Village of its kind in Italy, but the model is spreading across Northern Europe and France, where dementia-friendly villages are becoming more common.
A sustainable and replicable model
While cultural and institutional barriers exist, La Meridiana believes the concept is replicable in other parts of Italy. The project succeeded thanks to strong community involvement and local investment from families and businesses.
The model is also financially sustainable, supported by resident contributions and regional healthcare funding, as with other social and healthcare facilities.
Stories that show the human impact
There are countless personal stories that highlight the village’s value. One involves a woman with early-onset dementia who had worked as a hairdresser but had stopped due to her condition. At the Alzheimer’s Village, she now runs the village’s hair salon, regaining not only her profession but also her sense of purpose.
A new approach to dementia care in Italy
The Alzheimer’s Village in Monza represents a groundbreaking approach to dementia care in Italy, combining safety with freedom, medical support with community life. It offers a model where residents can rediscover independence, dignity, and social connection – and may inspire the future of dementia care across Europe.