Dementia Care Campus

Where innovative dementia care meets the future of health services

We are developing a world-class, dementia-friendly space that redefines how we support people living with dementia and their care partners. The Dementia Care Campus will serve as a community-based, inclusive hub where programs are integrated with opportunities for advanced healthcare training and research in dementia care.

To Meet the Growing Need

Currently there are close to 12,000 individuals living with dementia in Durham Region, and the number is expected to grow to more than 20,000 by 2030. The Dementia Care Campus will allow those individuals and their care partners to receive the care and support they need.

Dementia-friendly to improve quality of life for those living with dementia

The campus will include a day-use space that provides community based programming as well as respite options for care partners. Featuring evidence-informed dementia care concepts from across the globe, including village-like concepts, somatic design approaches and green dementia care.

Grow the capacity of the skilled dementia workforce in Durham Region

The campus will allow for on-site experiential learning for undergraduate and graduate students or residents in a variety of faculties (i.e. Health Sciences, Education, Engineering, Medicine) and will provide opportunity for an immersive community-based health care training.

Contribute to local
dementia care research

The campus will provide a platform to conduct research and evaluate the impact of socialization and recreation for individuals living with dementia. Promote existing local research initiatives and connect ASDR clients directly to opportunities to participate in new and innovative programs.

A New Way Forward for Dementia Care

Rendering of Dementia Care Campus by Craig Jeffery,
This accessible and dementia-friendly space will provide enhanced and unique community-based dementia programming. Featuring an open concept, with an indoor walking path connecting various amenities including:
  • Teaching kitchen
  • Cafe
  • Indoor sensory room
  • Washrooms, showers and personal care
  • Library
  • Theatre
  • Multi-purpose space
  • Open area for group events and meetings
The Dementia Care Campus will also feature an outdoor space for nature based programming. The outdoor areas would be around the perimeter of the building and accessed directly from programming space.
Artist rendering of care in the Dementia Care Campus
Ai generated image of outdoor space for The Dementia Care Campus

Image above left: Artist rendering of Dementia Care Campus. Images above left to right: Artist rendering of Cafe, artist rendering of indoor walk path, AI generated image of outdoor space.
All renderings were created by designer Craig Jeffery of Dream, Design, Develop Ltd.

Turning Plans into Progress

The vision for the Dementia Care Campus began more than five years ago, first imagined as the “Indoor Village”. While the project paused during the pandemic, work has since gained momentum, and since 2022, steady progress has brought this concept closer to becoming a reality.

Key milestones to date:

November 2022
Signed Memorandum of Understanding with Ontario Tech University

2023 to Present
Exploration of available space and land including review of various region-owned and municipal properties and vacant land, meetings with Durham Region, Town of Whitby, Municipality of Clarington, City of Oshawa and local MPPS

March 2024
Ontario Tech Brilliant Catalyst student project and Ontario Tech University and Alzheimer Durham Partnership Launch

December 2024
Established Trent University MOU

February 2025
Launch of Ontario Tech’s Social & Economic Impact Study: Environmental Scan and Scoping Review on Village Models of Care

September 202
Establishment of Alzheimer Durham Project Steering Committee; new project name “Dementia Care Campus” launched

October 2025
Development of Social and Economic Impact Study Manuscripts

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