Prioritising for changes ahead: meeting

the dementia challenge

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alzheimers.org.uk

George McNamara, 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

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alzheimers.org.uk

What do people with dementia want?

• 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 National Dementia Declaration

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alzheimers.org.uk

Experiences of 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

The Care Bill: an opportunity

for change

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alzheimers.org.uk

Building on success

• New evidence - housing and supporting people with

dementia

• Housing sector a key partner in Prime Minister’s

challenge on dementia

• Housing and dementia group - Department for

Communities and Local Government

• Demonstrating innovation in supporting people with

dementia

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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alzheimers.org.uk

Looking to the future

• Integration with health and social care

• A focus on prevention

• Dementia Friendly

Communities

www.alzheimers.org.uk/dementiafriendlycommunities

Dementia Friendly Communities

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alzheimers.org.uk

Housing 21: peer support for people with dementia

• Tackling social isolation and improve wellbeing

• Peer support groups run for people in the early stages of dementia

• Assisted living housing

developments

• Practical coping strategies to

increase independent living skills

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alzheimers.org.uk

Dementia Action Alliance

Thank you

George McNamara, Head of Policy and Public Affairs,

Alzheimer’s Society

www.alzheimers.org.uk

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alzheimers.org.uk