14/09/2026
A really interesting perspective on how the places we live and the communities around us can support healthy ageing. 💜
At Abbeyfield Wessex, we believe that living well is about more than having a place to live — it’s about connection, companionship, independence and feeling part of a community.
This is an important conversation, and well worth a read. 👇
These World Health Organization figures make one thing clear: responding to cognitive decline is not only about medical care. It is also about the places where people live, the relationships they maintain and the opportunities they have to remain active and involved.
The Abbeyfield model offers a practical, community-based response:
• Small, homelike houses where residents live with others—not alone.
• Shared meals and everyday conversation that create regular social contact.
• Opportunities to participate, contribute and maintain familiar routines.
• A supportive environment that encourages independence while reducing isolation.
• A model that can be adapted across countries and cultures.
Abbeyfield is not a treatment or cure for dementia, and social connection alone cannot remove the risk of cognitive decline. However, homes that foster companionship, participation and belonging can help address several issues identified in the WHO report, including social isolation, inactivity and loss of connection.
Alongside accessible health services and professional support, we need more age-friendly homes and communities where older people can live with dignity, purpose and connection. Abbeyfield is one part of that solution: bringing people together, strengthening communities and helping older people age well.
Read more here: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240123557
