Creating Dementia-Ready Homes in West Yorkshire

In the UK, there are almost a million people living with dementia. This number is expected to double by 2050 (opens new window). Many of us know someone who is affected, and thanks to the Alzheimer's Society and other charities’ great work, awareness of dementia is growing.

I’m proud to be a Dementia Friend, along with a huge number of my colleagues at West Yorkshire Combined Authority, working hard to transform lives in the region through our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion. Alongside our public and private partners, we have a significant role to play in supporting those with dementia on our public transport network in public spaces and with housing.'

Most people with dementia do not live in care homes or other specialist accommodation. About 60% live in ordinary homes (opens new window). Every day, they experience challenges related to their symptoms, affecting their quality of life. The home environment can play a huge role in alleviating those challenges, improving independence, safety and quality of life. My Dementia-Ready Housing Taskforce, made up of representatives from health, housing and third sector organisations, was established to reflect this role, working to influence policy and practice in this important area.

Dementia is forecast to cost the UK economy £42bn in 2024, rising to £90bn in 2040 (opens new window). Residential care represents almost half of these forecasted costs. Changing our homes to help people with dementia makes economic as well as practical sense. It also supports what most of us want: to stay at home as we age.

The taskforce has worked with health and housing professionals to develop ten clear, effective criteria. They can be applied to all housing categories, not just those intended for older people, to score homes for dementia-readiness. They are carefully balanced to facilitate a healthier, happier lifestyle but avoid an institutional appearance. We are delighted that the West Yorkshire Housing Partnership, our alliance of Registered Housing Providers, has adopted the criteria, incorporating them into design standards and considering them when making any changes to existing stock.

But we can’t stop with social housing. We need to go further, so that all homes are ready for dementia. It’s a long game, and private sector homes are next on our list: applying the criteria at design stage has a minimal cost and avoids the need for what can be unattractive adaptations later. What’s more, the changes we’re proposing will help those with other needs, such as learning disabilities and partial sight. Many of the criteria just make a home easier to live in for everyone.

Steps closer to a cure and promising treatments for dementia are emerging all the time. Do we really need to play the long game? Well, if dementia is one day consigned to the history books, building homes that make everyone’s lives easier is something I think we can live with.

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For more on the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Dementia-Ready Housing Taskforce and to read about its achievements, visit here (opens new window).

And for more resources on housing and dementia, visit the Housing LIN’s dedicated webpages which also enable you to access the APPG Inquiry Report, Housing for People with Dementia – Are we ready?