Agrace breaks ground on first-of-its-kind dementia village in Fitchburg

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

As reported by Samantha Calderon, Channel 3000

Construction is officially underway on a first-of-its-kind dementia village in Fitchburg.

Community leaders broke ground on the $40 million project on Tuesday. The development, led by Agrace, is designed to rethink memory care for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

Modeled after dementia villages in the Netherlands, the community will look and feel more like a neighborhood than a traditional care facility. Plans include small homes, walking paths and a cafe.

“Our vision is grounded in a simple belief: A dementia diagnosis should not end a person’s ability to live a meaningful life,” said Lynne Sexten, president and CEO of Agrace. “People still need joy, purpose, connection and the ability to make their own decisions.”

Plans call for eight homes that can house up to 65 residents on Agrace’s Fitchburg campus.

The dementia village is expected to open next year.