Feeling at home even
as memory fades
Sandra et Adrien s’engagent
pour les personnes atteintes de troubles cognitifs
Leur agence immobilière DESORMIERE & VANHALST a choisi d’être partenaire de la Maison Hemma
Sandra Vanhalst and Adrien Désormière, sensitive to the social impact of their profession, have long explored projects where housing becomes a vector for well-being.
The meeting with Ms. Mikaela Halvarsson, an expert in cognitive disorders and director of the Charmettes nursing home (EMS), was decisive. They thus discovered Maison Hemma, and were immediately touched by its innovative mission and human approach.
“At Home” at Maison Hemma
Maison Hemma, inaugurated in September 2023 in Bernex, is a unique facility in Switzerland dedicated to active individuals facing memory disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Inspired by Swedish models, it offers a non-medicalized environment where residents truly feel “hemma,” which means “at home” in Swedish.
Living Environment and Accommodation
Hemma is a spacious and comfortable double villa that can accommodate up to eight people. Each resident has their own room, furnished according to their preferences, and shares common areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms, and the recreation room. A large garden is also available, offering a setting conducive to relaxation and outdoor activities.
Resident Profile
The residents of Maison Hemma are individuals in active mid-life who are facing memory problems. Some continue professional activities, have family lives or intense hobbies, and may even have pets. Each person leads their own lifestyle while benefiting from the support and solidarity of other residents.
Daily Life and Support
The philosophy of Maison Hemma is based on the active participation of residents in daily tasks, such as cooking, cleaning, shopping, or gardening, with everyone contributing according to their talents. Support staff are present to assist with the organization of communal activities, external errands, or outings, ensuring a caring presence at all times, even at night.
Meeting Maison Hemma
It was during the sale of a beautiful house in Bernex that the Désormière & Vanhalst real estate agency met Ms. Mikaela Halvarsson. She was looking for a new location for the Hemma Association to accommodate people with memory disorders. Bonds were forged between the association members, the owners of the Bernex house, and the sales team, leading to the acquisition of the house by the association at the end of 2023.
Real Estate Agency’s Commitment
Throughout this process, the Désormière & Vanhalst real estate agency supported the initiatives undertaken, keen to protect the interests of the owners while contributing to a social project. This collaboration led to the creation of a second reception facility – Maison Karmin – for people facing memory problems, and represented a profound life experience for the sellers’ family. Read this wonderful story in our blog and in the article published by Le Journal de l’Immobilier.
By supporting Maison Hemma, our real estate agency reaffirms its commitment to social projects related to housing, thereby contributing to offering a dignified and adapted living environment for people facing memory disorders.
“The greatness of a society is measured by how it treats its most vulnerable members.”
Mahatma Gandhi.
You too can make a difference to support people facing cognitive disorders by choosing Adrien Désormière and Sandra Vanhalst to realize your real estate project.