Navigating new pathways – healthcare personnel’s experiences transitioning from traditional nursing homes to the dementia village care model in Norway

TL;DR

This study explores how healthcare workers in Norway adapt to a new dementia care model called dementia villages, which aim to give residents more autonomy and dignity.

Contribution

It provides new insights into healthcare personnel's experiences and challenges when transitioning to dementia village care models.

Findings

Healthcare personnel experience professional growth and innovation in dementia villages.

Adapting to residents' increased freedom of movement is a key challenge.

Person-centred care requires flexible and creative caregiving solutions.

Abstract

The global rise in dementia has led to growing interest in care models that promote autonomy, dignity, and well-being for people living with dementia. In response, dementia villages, pioneered in the Netherlands, have emerged as innovative alternatives to traditional nursing homes, integrating daily life routines with secure, dementia-friendly environments. Norway has followed and established dementia villages in four municipalities. Despite the innovative appeal of dementia villages, little is known about their impact on healthcare personnel’s care activities. This study aims to explore healthcare personnel’s experiences transitioning from traditional nursing homes to the dementia village care model in Norway.

The study employs an explorative-descriptive research design. Ten focus group interviews, involving a total of 53 healthcare personnel employed at two dementia villages, were conducted between October and November 2024. The data were analysed using qualitative inductive content analysis. The study is reported following the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ).

The data analysis revealed that healthcare personnel viewed their experiences working in dementia villages as opportunities for professional growth, innovation, and adaptation to a new care environment. This perspective is captured in three overarching categories: (i) Adaptation in a new care environment; (ii) Managing residents’ increased freedom of movement; and (iii) Development of the caregiver role within DVs. Together, these categories illustrate a shift away from traditional models of dementia care toward more flexible and person-centred approaches, in which healthcare personnel, despite challenges, adapt their roles and practices to meet residents’ individual needs through innovative and creative caregiving solutions.

This study provides a nuanced understanding of how healthcare personnel experience their evolving roles within dementia villages. While the dementia village model supports resident autonomy, healthcare personnel reported several challenges in balancing the opportunities of person-centred care within a new physical environment. To fully realise the potential of dementia villages, caregiving roles must be supported through tailored training, appropriate staffing, and opportunities for professional growth that preserve staff identity and competence.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-026-14223-9.