'An attractive center, also for people with dementia'

Where do Nuenen residents prefer to do their shopping? If it's up to center manager Henry van Vlerken in the center of Nuenen. 'The entrepreneurs in the center of Nuenen are doing everything they can to keep the center clean, whole, safe and attractive, also for people with dementia.'

Together with 140 entrepreneurs, center manager Henry van Vlerken makes a case for an attractive and complete center. 'Just look at how well cared for our center is, thanks in part to bright flower boxes in the summer period and cozy mood lighting in the dark December days. Together we keep the heart of Nuenen safe, clean, easily accessible with a varied and complete range of stores, good catering establishments and the right services.'

Future-proof center

It is important for the continuity of a shopping area to look not only at today but certainly also at the longer term. Van Vlerken: "Future-proofing is essential for the survival of the center and its functions. Of course in the first instance as a shopping area but certainly also from the perspective of the other functions, social meeting and residence place and activity place for example. Together with the entrepreneurs, the property owners, the residents and certainly also the municipality, we are continuously working on improvement projects, including in the areas of mobility, safety, sustainability, vacancy and livability.

Dementia-friendly center

One such ongoing project is a dementia-friendly center. Van Vlerken: "Dementia is becoming increasingly common. Entrepreneurs also notice it, but do not always know yet how to deal with it. For example, an entrepreneur recently told me that he had called the police because he suspected a customer of shoplifting. An elderly lady stood for minutes in front of a store shelf. She appeared to have a form of dementia and could not remember why she had gone to that store.

Recognizing and acknowledging dementia is the first step to achieving that dementia-friendly center. We want to start helping our business owners and their staff in this through training. In our center, everyone should feel welcome and safe. Dementia is unfortunately a growing issue within our society and we all have a duty to deal with it in a dignified and correct way. The entrepreneurs in our beautiful center are going for it!

In the next episode, Marion Heppel explains what Leeflandgoed Opwetten has to offer people with dementia.