Villa Wittenburg is a care villa with around 24 apartments for people living with a form of dementia. Jacquelien van Sante works as a residential support worker and activities coordinator, dedicating herself every day to bringing happiness to residents. The open care facility is situated in the middle of nature: "Residents can walk into the orchard whenever they like and truly enjoy that freedom," says Jacquelien.

Personal connection as a foundation

"Every day I try to put a smile on the residents' faces, and often it comes from small moments," Jacquelien explains. Residents generally move in during the early stages of dementia, giving care staff the opportunity to get to know everyone well. "By getting to know each person individually, we can more easily make choices for them at a later stage, such as clothing preferences, musical taste, or hobbies."

Exploring the world virtually

"We want residents to maintain as much of their own autonomy as possible," Jacquelien continues. "Many of our residents have traveled extensively or even lived abroad, and they love being able to virtually revisit those places." With Bike Labyrinth, residents virtually explore more than 900 locations around the world.

At Villa Wittenburg, Bike Labyrinth is set up in a calm living room with minimal stimulation. "As a caregiver, we always stay close to set up the bike," Jacquelien explains. "I determine the level of stimulation for the route. For some residents, a low-stimulation route works much better than a busy one." She also experiences it as a valuable one-on-one moment with the resident. "The resident truly feels heard, and at the same time they are getting some physical activity too."

From wheelchair to walking through the orchard

Bike Labyrinth also encourages movement in surprising ways. "One of our residents arrived in a wheelchair and had lost a great deal of self-confidence as a result. We took them on a virtual cycling session every day."

Revisiting memories through familiar places

Bike Labyrinth also brings back meaningful memories. By virtually visiting familiar places, residents spontaneously share their stories. "One gentleman used to work on cruise ships in Rotterdam (the Netherlands) and lights up completely when he cycles the route through Rotterdam (the Netherlands). The route passes the boarding point of the Holland America Line, and he has many stories to tell about that," says Jacquelien. "There is also a woman who preferred not to cycle or move at all. When we showed her that there was a route past her childhood home, where she grew up with her eleven brothers and sisters, she was immediately convinced."

Autonomy, never obligation

Autonomy is a core principle at the facility. "Nothing is mandatory, including cycling or exercise. We do try to encourage residents, and once they are on the bike, nine times out of ten they are convinced. They then come to us themselves to ask if they can cycle again," says Jacquelien. "In short, Bike Labyrinth is so much more than a physical activity. It is a bridge to memories, a source of joy, and a wonderful way to let people with dementia step into their own world for a moment. A true must-have in care."