Beyond being a guest: lessons from Odensehuis Zuid for dementia-inclusive communities

Purpose This paper aims to reflect on a practice visit to Odensehuis Zuid in Amsterdam to understand dementia inclusion beyond enabling people with dementia to attend community activities, focusing on contribution, belonging and shared responsibility. Design/methodology/approach Two Japanese university faculty members visited Odensehuis Zuid for approximately three hours in July 2026 and participated in daily activities. This paper presents a practice-based reflection on observations from the visit, complementing the literature on participation and dementia-inclusive communities. Findings The difficulty in distinguishing between people receiving and providing support was noticeable. People with dementia appeared not only as participants but also as contributors to the everyday social environment. Staff emphasis on respect and safety was consistent with an environment supporting agency and contribution, while one participant’s description of Odensehuis as “my lifeline” highlighted the potential importance of connection and belonging. The visit also emphasized structural conditions – including transportation and organizational resources – that may allow continued participation. Practical implications Dementia-inclusive initiatives may benefit from considering not only whether people with dementia can access community spaces but also the opportunities they have to contribute to creating and sustaining them. Originality/value This paper shifts attention from inclusion as access or attendance to contribution and considers how such opportunities may support more co-creative forms of community life. It suggests that inclusive communities can be understood not only as places created for people with dementia but also as places created with them.