The implications of a new paradigm of care on the built environment. The Humanitas© Deventer model: Innovative practice

Abstract

As people live longer, rates of long-term conditions such as dementia are increasing and healthcare costs are exponentially increasing. Dementia services recognise there is a need for change; this paper provides an example of how people interacting within an architectural-led care system can positively influence this need for change. The adopted method within this paper is the ‘thinking, making and living’ approach underpinned by a one-time post-occupancy evaluation. The architectural-led care system, the Humanitas© Deventer in the Netherlands, is a good example of a new paradigm of care built on sustainable collaboration, which positively contributes to the well-being of the recipients of care – people with dementia.