Dementia: Our Housing Challenge Housing LIN 2nd July 2013 Amy Swan

Where is housing? Housing associations are the primary providers of housing based care and support for vulnerable adults. Around 50% of housing associations provide care and support services.

Poor housing equals poor health Poor housing equals poor health. The NHS currently spends £600 million each year treating people due to severe hazards in poor housing, mainly from falls-related injuries.

The design of someone’s home makes all the difference. For people with dementia, early provision of support that uses the home as a delivery channel for services can a decrease institutionalisation by 22%.

Housing with care and support helps people retain their independence Housing with care and support helps people retain their independence. £1.7bn of capital investment in specialist housing delivered an annual net benefit to the exchequer of £639m. Appropriate housing with care and support enables people to remain independent and receive health, social care and support services in their home rather than have to move to more institutional settings, including hospital. Specialist housing can ensure a person’s home is ‘care ready’, responding flexibly to their changing needs19.

Dementia: Our Housing Challenge People with dementia occupy 40% of hospital beds. Only 21% of people with dementia have their dementia diagnosed before hospital admission. 60% of people with dementia enter hospital from their own home, but just 36% return home after discharge. Dementia report and dementia and housing working group developed in response to the following three points … People with dementia are currently occupying a staggering 40% of general hospital beds and 80% of care home placements. The role housing organisations can play in helping people with dementia live independently for longer needs to be clearly understood.   This report highlights how good housing and related services can impact positively on the lives of people with dementia, from delaying more intensive forms of care to preventing admission and readmission to hospital.

Preventing health emergencies and hospital admission Care and Repair Leeds – Minor adaptations and hospital discharge Reminiscence library ‘Dementia proofing’ and retrofitting ‘If only I had known…’ – information and advice on housing options to older people with dementia in hospital

Delaying a move to residential care Irwell Valley Housing Association – Shore Green Dementia-friendly design Design minimises confusion Promotes a culture of dignity and independence

Facilitating early diagnosis and early intervention Riverside Housing Association LiveTime service, health checks for tenants and older people in the community. Dementia awareness training of staff Diagnosis and support packages

Understand the routes people take through local services Key messages Understand the routes people take through local services Build on the expertise and infrastructure in the housing sector Put housing into care pathways

Contact details Dementia: Our Housing Challenge Amy Swan Amy.swan@housing.org.uk 020 7067 1090