Livasu Village: America's First Dementia Care Community

In the quiet beauty of Sheboygan County, something truly groundbreaking is taking shape. Livasu Village dementia care isn’t just another memory support facility – it’s the first dementia village in the U.S., and it’s turning the idea of care on its head. 

Designed specifically for individuals with Alzheimer’s and other cognitive disorders, this innovative community is all about freedom, dignity, and finding joy in everyday life.

A Family's Journey Inspires Innovative Dementia Housing in the United States

For Jim Holmes and his family, Livasu Village is more than a project; it’s personal. Jim’s wife, Patti, passed away at age 74 after battling dementia and Alzheimer’s. 

Described as the “Energizer bunny,” Patti was full of life, always moving, and endlessly devoted to those she loved. When the disease began to change her in her early 60s, her family watched her struggle with once-simple tasks, like painting or packing for a trip.

Through their heartbreak came inspiration. Jim, their daughter Amy, and the team behind Dementia Innovations have created something rooted in deep love and real experience – a community where others facing similar challenges can live as freely as possible.

A Supportive Sheboygan County Dementia Community

Located in scenic Sheboygan County, this Alzheimer’s care community in Wisconsin is a model of what memory care housing can become. Instead of isolating residents, Livasu Village integrates them into a vibrant, safe neighborhood. 

There will be 124 homes, individually owned, where people with dementia can live with their families. It will be a place where routine life continues, with support when needed and independence when possible.

What Makes Livasu Village Different?

The village design draws inspiration from a Dutch model, where the focus is on abilities rather than limitations. Co-founder Mary Pitsch put it best: the goal is to “foster abilities, rather than create disabilities.” That mindset carries through the entire community.

Residents won’t feel boxed in. There will be a grocery store, restaurant, spa, and gym – all open to the public. This blend of everyday life with specialized support helps remove the stigma that often surrounds cognitive decline.

A Passion Project Fueled by Purpose

Jim Holmes once wrote on a bucket list, “I would like to start a dementia village in Wisconsin.” Thanks to the continued work of the Dementia Innovations nonprofit and its growing support base, that dream is now well underway. 

Jim now serves on the board, while Amy is the lead advisory architect, helping shape every inch of the village in memory of her mother. They see Livasu as a place where people with dementia can live as usual, which is, in fact, where the name comes from: LIVing AS USual.

How You Can Help

This ambitious project still needs help to move forward. The Dementia Innovations nonprofit is actively raising funds to complete the next phases of development. 

If you’re interested in supporting this effort, whether through donations or sharing the vision, you can learn more at dementiainnovations.org.

Livasu Village Dementia Care Is Changing the Future

With its thoughtful design, heartfelt inspiration, and groundbreaking approach, Livasu Village dementia care is a shining example of what’s possible when community, compassion, and innovation come together. As the first dementia village in the U.S., it’s setting a bold new standard for memory care housing in Sheboygan and beyond.