Getting dementia: the housing challenge ________________________________________________________________________________________ alzheimers.org.uk Jeremy Hughes, Alzheimer’s Society

Dementia: A national priority Dementia costs the UK: £23 billion per annum 2/3 live in the community: majority mainstream housing some specialist housing 1/3 of people with dementia live alone in the community 550,000 carers of people with dementia in England ________________________________________________________________________________________ alzheimers.org.uk

________________________________________________________________________________________ alzheimers.org.uk What do people with dementia want? National Dementia Declaration I have personal choice and control or influence over decisions about me I know that services are designed around me and my needs I have support that helps me live my life I have the knowledge and know-how to get what I need I live in an enabling and supportive environment where I feel valued and understood I have a sense of belonging and of being a valued part of family, community and civic life I know there is research going on which delivers a better life for me now and hope for the future

________________________________________________________________________________________ alzheimers.org.uk What do people with dementia want from housing? ‘ We were living in a house that wasn’t suitable for my wife’s medical needs. We had stairs and she can’t walk up the stairs. The stairs were really murdering and that’s why we got the bungalow’ Carer of person with dementia in rented mainstream housing ‘I don’t want to put her in a care home. I want to stay with her for as long as possible. To part with her; I couldn’t do that. Unless it came to something serious and I couldn’t look after her’ Carer of person with dementia in owner-occupied housing ‘I’ve got Parkinson’s and my wife has Alzheimer’s. The reason we came here was me getting Parkinson’s, not my wife getting Alzheimer’s’ Carer of person with dementia in owner occupier specialist housing

________________________________________________________________________________________ alzheimers.org.uk Home truths report recommendations 1. Recognition that housing and housing services are effective mechanisms of supporting people with dementia in the community 2. There should be a choice of housing options for people with dementia 3. People with dementia and their carers should have access to information on housing options, services and sources of funding adaptations. 4. People with dementia should have access to homes designed around their needs

________________________________________________________________________________________ alzheimers.org.uk Successes Further evidence on the role of housing and supporting people with dementia Housing sector recognised as a key partner in Prime Minister’s challenge on dementia Housing and dementia group established at Department for Communities and Local Government. Housing playing an important role in the development of Dementia Friendly Communities Many housing organisations demonstrating innovation in supporting people with dementia

________________________________________________________________________________________ alzheimers.org.uk Riverside Home Improvement Agency (HIA) HIA help people with dementia live safely in their own homes for longer through intelligent design and adaptation HIA retro-decorate people’s homes to promote well-being Transistor radios 1960s holiday posters Mid-century chairs Use simple design principles to support people to maintain routine and live independently for longer Open-fronted drawers Glare-free lighting Re-organising mirrors

________________________________________________________________________________________ alzheimers.org.uk Challenges for housing Future proofing new housing and adapting existing stock Lifetime Homes design guidance could incorporate guidance on dementia. Lifetime homes standards could be added to building regulations. Existing housing stock should be adapted to ensure it is appropriate for people with dementia.

________________________________________________________________________________________ alzheimers.org.uk Challenges for housing Assistive technology Technological solutions mean people with dementia can remain independent for longer New housing could be built with technology imbedded or easily installed Technology can be used to improve existing housing stock

________________________________________________________________________________________ alzheimers.org.uk Challenges for housing Workforce skilling Staff should have access to training appropriate to their role Housing providers should work with health and social care providers to deliver integrated training

________________________________________________________________________________________ alzheimers.org.uk Looking to the future Integration with health and social care Early diagnosis and intervention Dementia Friendly Communities

Dementia Friendly Communities

Loneliness

________________________________________________________________________________________ alzheimers.org.uk Housing 21: peer support for people with dementia Housing 21 are running peer support groups to tackle social isolation and improve wellbeing Peer support groups run for people in the early stages of dementia in three Housing 21 extra care schemes in London Residents in these schemes live in assisted living housing developments Group members learn practical coping strategies to increase independent living skills

________________________________________________________________________________________ alzheimers.org.uk Dementia Action Alliance

______________________________________________________________________________________________ alzheimers.org.uk Helping to create more dementia- friendly communities. One million Dementia Friends by Dementia Friends

Thank you Jeremy Hughes, Chief Executive, Alzheimer’s Society ________________________________________________________________________________________ alzheimers.org.uk