There is a town in the southwest that is unique. Mostly people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease live there. It is peaceful and safe, and everything has been adapted for patients in order to check whether patients who stay in an environment close to natural for as long as possible will develop the disease more slowly.
Landais Alzheimer in France. Time flows differently there
The village of Landais Alzheimer doesn’t look much at first glance. On the main square there is a place where you can buy bread. However, it is free, so the patient does not have to remember to have money with him. The heart of the village is the restaurant where you can drink coffee. In addition, residents are encouraged to visit the theater and engage in many activities, such as walking. Thanks to Landais Alzheimer, many people, despite a difficult diagnosis, try to lead a calm and as normal life as possible. – Time flows differently here – said one of the residents in an interview with . In the village, meeting times are not pre-arranged. Moreover, the town is constantly monitored to ensure the safety of patients. There are no specific visiting hours, so residents’ relatives come to the village whenever they want. About eight people live in each one-story house. They share a kitchen, living room and dining room.
Does the disease really develop more slowly? “It also affects their families.”
Professor Hélène Amieva, in an interview with the BBC, shared preliminary research results on the impact of living in a village on the course of the disease. “What we typically saw when people entered institutions was accelerated cognitive decline, which is not seen here,” she said. – We have reason to believe that such institutions can influence the course of clinical outcomes.
The fact that Alzheimer’s patients live in a village also affects their families. They know that their loved ones are safe, so they can feel safe themselves. The costs of staying in the village of Landais Alzheimer are covered mainly by the French government, which allocated over $22 million just to establish the institution. Residents incur costs similar to an average stay in a nursing home. According to the BBC, there are fewer than 12 similar places in the world today. Scientists believe that staying in a village among other sick people may be the key to a happier and healthier life for sick people. Currently, approximately 120 residents live in Landais Alzheimer.
Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
