Growing old graciously

Manthorpe describes a nursing home for people with dementia in the Netherlands. With 120 beds it is large but splitting it into six-bed wings, each with separate sitting room, bathroom and kitchen, means that it still feels homely. The heart of the home is a central courtyard that has the feel of a market place in a small village. There is a large café bar in which residents, families and local residents can mingle. Crucially, there is also a small but well-stocked supermarket. There is no central provision of meals - staff cook with the residents. Residents can make a leisurely visit to the supermarket with staff. Preparing for and cleaning up after the meal becomes a framework for the day providing a normalising rhythm and purposeful activity.