But unknown to them, they are leading an orchestrated life, a false reality.
There are surveillance cameras everywhere, and residents are watched every hour of the day.
Hogewey is a nursing home disguised to look like a village.
It was designed to house people suffering from severe dementia.
Every shopkeeper, every waiter, and every housekeeper is a Hogewey employee playing their part, inTruman Show-style.
Hogewey has around 150 residents, and 250 caretakers.
Photo: Business Insider
Residents choose their own daily schedules for meals and activities.
Some residents may choose to dine at the village cafe or restaurant.
Others may choose to be served in the house.
Every month, residents are doled out fake money to use at the village supermarket or at the restaurants.
Sometimes residents pick what they need from the supermarket and simply walk out the door.
No (fake) money exchange takes place.
Even the smallest detail can mean a lot for some.
so you’re able to make that choice every day," said facility manager Eloy van Hal.
That you’re free to still decide what you put in your coffee is important.
The psychological benefit of leading a happy and contented life on physical health is immense.
Hogeweys success has inspired many other dementia villages across the world.
The novel initiative, however, faces one criticism.
Some question whether it is ethical to deliberately deceive vulnerable people by creating a fake, manufactured utopia.
But proponents of dementia villages argues that there is no harm in benevolent manipulation.
It is a space for people to live in, like any other space.
It doesnt trick people in any way.
