Could This Be the Secret to Longer, Happier Lives? Devon Care Model Emulates ‘Blue Zones’
By Business Correspondent
Small communities of just seven people, shared meals, and garden living are helping older adults in Devon rediscover independence, friendship — and even something like family.
Across the world, so-called “Blue Zones” — regions where people routinely live into their 90s and beyond — have long fascinated scientists.
Their secret isn’t miracle medicine, but lifestyle: strong social bonds, daily routines, outdoor living, and meals shared together.
Now, a new care model in Devon is bringing those same principles to the UK by creating homes where just seven residents live together, not as patients, but as a household.
Devon Care and Living has begun developing small bungalow communities designed for seven people. Each resident has a private en-suite room, while open-plan kitchens, shared living areas, and gardens encourage daily interaction.
Over time, residents don’t just coexist — they form close, family-like bonds.
For 82-year-old Louise, one of the first residents, the impact has been life-changing.
“I have my own space, but I’m not alone,” she said. “We eat together, talk together — it feels like we look out for each other. I’m happier and more confident.”
Her daughter Michelle says the environment feels fundamentally different from traditional care settings.
“It feels like a real home, not a facility. The seven residents have become like a family. That sense of belonging has transformed my mum’s life.”
Experts increasingly recognise that loneliness can be as damaging to health as smoking or obesity, while strong social connections are linked to improved mental wellbeing, physical health, and even longer life expectancy.
Marie Davis, Registered Manager for Devon Care and Living, said the model is designed to recreate those protective social structures.
“When people live in small, stable groups, they naturally form meaningful relationships. They share meals, routines, and daily life.
"It creates a sense of family, belonging, and purpose — which are incredibly powerful for mental wellbeing and quality of life.”
With loneliness among older adults rising across the UK, leaders say this small-home model offers more than just care.
By replacing institutional environments with genuine households, it may help residents not only live better — but potentially even live longer.
Devon Care and Living was established in 2006 to provide bespoke care for residents in small communities that focus on building relationships and maintaining independence.
Its residences are located in the Barnstaple area of Devon. Over the past twenty years, the organisation has grown to operate eleven residences in the area. In 2026, Devon Care and Living celebrates twenty years of this living model, which has demonstrated the need for a more community-based approach to care.
Devon Care and Living, through its care provider Hadley Care, is registered and regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the independent statutory regulator of health and adult social care in England. Hadley Care is rated Good by the CQC.
