SFU's Groundbreaking Dementia Care Model in Canada
Simon Fraser University researchers are pioneering a novel long-term care approach that seamlessly blends nature-based therapy with village-setting care, aiming to enhance the quality of life for individuals living with dementia. This cutting-edge model, known as Green Care Farms (GCF), was initially developed in traditional farms in the Netherlands, integrating long-term care with farm-related activities in a therapeutic setting. Now, a groundbreaking research project is bringing this innovative model to Canada.
The GCF model focuses on fostering autonomy, cognitive stimulation, and emotional well-being for those living with dementia. Habib Chaudhury, a professor in the Department of Gerontology and SFU research lead, highlights a critical issue: older adults, especially those with dementia, often face limited access to outdoor spaces in long-term care homes due to safety concerns and a lack of appropriate outdoor areas. This situation raises ethical concerns, as it challenges their human rights to access the outdoors, and compromises their mobility independence, autonomy, and overall well-being.
The GCF project at The Village Langley, a unique dementia village in Canada, is part of a collaborative research effort between Chaudhury at SFU and Sharon Kaasalainen at McMaster University School of Nursing. The project is supported by funding from the Government of Canada's New Frontiers in Research Fund. The research aims to evaluate the impact of Green Care Farms on cognitive, physical, psychological, and social well-being among individuals living with dementia in two Canadian facilities, one in British Columbia and the other in Ontario.
At The Village Langley, long-term residents have unrestricted access to the outdoor space within the village environment. Researchers will conduct semi-structured interviews and informal conversations with residents, their families, caregivers, staff, and management, beginning in spring 2026. Social engagement and interaction with natural elements will be documented through direct observation and validated assessment tools developed in the Netherlands. Additionally, the research team will collect data on residents' mental health using standardized depression scales and assess sleep quality through structured questionnaires.
The Village Langley, inspired by the Dutch dementia village concept, is one of only two dementia villages in Canada. Located on a secure five-acre property, it features six cottage-style homes, landscaped gardens, tree-lined walkways, a bistro, a general store, a salon and spa, a woodworking shop, a community center, and ample green space. While not a working farm, the village includes a red barn, a chicken coop, goats, fruit trees, raised garden beds, and a new greenhouse, all elements of the Netherlands' GCF model. Residents can freely explore the property, making it an ideal setting for this research.
The research team has also introduced an adult day program, inviting participants from community-based day programs to visit the Village, socialize with residents, and enjoy the outdoor environment for a few hours each week. Gail Deyle's mother, Doreen Freeland, has been attending the adult day program throughout the summer and fall, and Deyle notices improved cognition and mood on program days. Freeland, a former 'land girl' in Britain during World War II, finds the program fulfilling, as she grew produce to feed soldiers and values the connection with nature.
Chaudhury emphasizes that this initiative at The Village Langley is a unique example of merging two transformative care models: dementia villages and Green Care Farms, to reimagine long-term dementia care in Canada. The research team's goal is to provide evidence that can inform future policies to promote and implement innovative approaches in long-term care, creating a normalized and naturally rich supportive care community.
SFU's involvement extends to another research project at the only other dementia village in Canada, Providence Living at The Views, a publicly funded facility in Comox on Vancouver Island, B.C. In this study, the SFU team explores the impact of the physical environment of the care village on residents' quality of life and staff care practices and social interactions.
SFU Experts:
- Habib Chaudhury, Professor, Department of Gerontology; Associate Director, Gerontology Research Centre
- Tianci Dong, Graduate Student, Project Researcher
- Myia Wilhelm, Graduate Research Assistant
