simply walking around the community, seniors are encouraged to be active and involved. By normalizing senior living, the MICRO TOWN® model fosters community interaction and challenges the stigma around aging and dementia. “We have various community programs to teach what dementia is, how to interact with someone living with cognitive change, and how to engage with aging positively,” says Chadwick.These initiatives contribute to a more compassionate, informed community, reducing the fear and misconceptions surrounding aging. BREAKING THE BARRIERS OF ISOLATION The MICRO TOWN® community is designed to welcome residents, neighbours, and visitors from the surrounding Moreton Bay region. Unlike traditional aged care facilities, it encourages interaction by opening its on-site cafe, corner store, wellness center, cinema and other amenities to the public. Visitors can stop by for a coffee, do some grocery shopping, or access wellness services—fostering an inclusive atmosphere where the lines between aged care and everyday community life naturally blur.“People from the houses next door to the aged care community come in and use the facilities, creating natural interactions and a real community feel,” Chadwick explains. MICRO TOWN® 2.0: EXPANDING THE VISION Despite the success of the current MICRO TOWN®, Chadwick isn’t content to rest on her achievements. Plans are underway for what she calls “MICRO TOWN® Version 2.0,” an expansion of the current Bellmere community. The improved model will 13 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 06, ISSUE 11 NEWDIRECTION CARE
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