Imitative 1950s-Era Towns Are Popping Up Across the U.S. to Help People With Dementia

The George G. Glenner Alzheimer's Family Care Centers has started erecting faux towns resembling the 1950s and '60s to remind people with dementia of their youth, reports Business Insider . In August, the nonprofit opened the first "Town Square" in Chula Vista, Calif., just outside downtown San Diego. Town Square designs reflect reminiscence therapy, which is used to help those with dementia recall decades-old memories. The Atlantic cites studies demonstrating that such therapy helps improve subjects' quality of life and heightens their cognitive function. Earlier this year, Glenner Alzheimer's teamed with senior care franchise Senior Helpers to expand their operation. "Adult day care gives people a chance to continue to live their life independently in their own home," says Senior Helpers CEO Peter Ross. "It is an opportunity to have social interaction when they want it during the week at the Town Square." Each Town Square has several staffers, including a center director, an enrollment director, an activities director, a staff member who can provide health guidance and dispense medication, and a receptionist. Ross says moving forward, each Town Square will be able to hold about 105 seniors for daily programming. Senior Helpers currently has more than 300 locations around the country.