29 Jun 2017 Bendigo Advertiser, Bendigo VIC (General News) THE state government has contributed $150,000 towards a feasibility study to investigate the viability of developing a dementia village in Heathcote. Member for Northern Victoria Jaclyn Symes made the announcement in Heathcote on Wednesday morning. A further $150,000 will be needed to complete the study into the development of a residential village for 150 dementia patients. The village would be an Australian first, based on a Dutch model in the town of Hogeweyk, Wheesp and include facilities such as a supermarket, hairdressers, cafes and a theatre. Heathcote Health chief executive officer and chair of the dementia village steering committee Dan Douglass said dementia was the single greatest cause of disability in older Australians. It affects the brain but is not one specific disease. It affects thinking, behaviour and the ability to perform everyday tasks, he said. Caption Text: GRAND PLANS: An artists impression of what the dementia village in Healthcote will look like once completed. Picture: CONTRIBUTED Licensed by Copyright Agency. You may only copy or communicate this work with a licence.