Evaluating the Impact of the UK's First Day Center Dementia Village: A Qualitative Study.

BACKGROUND: In 2023, Age UK developed the UK's first day centre dementia village at a facility in the North West of England, designed to evoke positive memories and promote engagement in meaningful everyday activities. However, the impacts introducing this dementia village facility have not yet been systematically explored. This study aimed to qualitatively examine the experiences and perceived impacts of engaging with the Age UK dementia village. METHODS: This is an in-person qualitative semi-structured interview study with people with dementia (PLWD) and Age UK staff. Eligible participants were adults aged 18 and over who either attended or worked at this Age UK day centre. Data was analysed using reflexive thematic analysis within a social constructivist paradigm. RESULTS: Twenty-two interviews comprising 11 members of Age UK Wirral staff and 11 PLWD were conducted. Thematic analysis identified three over-arching themes: (1) Seeing the client as a person; (2) meaningful activity and engagement; and (3) factors shaping engagement with the dementia village. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that dementia village approaches embedded within day care settings may offer a promising model for enhancing person-centred care by supporting staff to engage with individuals' identities and tailor meaningful activities. While such initiatives show potential to enhance engagement and social inclusion, their effectiveness is likely to depend on careful adaptation to individual needs, alongside appropriate resourcing and staff support. Further research is required to evaluate long-term outcomes, cost-effectiveness, and the ethical implications of increasingly immersive dementia care environments.