Adapting homes for dementia

Research at the BRE Innovation Park has developed a method for assessing the effectiveness of measures taken to create supportive environments for those with dementia.

As part of the development of the demonstration house, launched in July 2018, 12 key factors affecting people living with dementia were identified. These have been used to develop an adaption assessment method.

[edit] Introduction

Home adaptation to deal with an ageing population and the increasing occurrence of dementia is currently fragmented and often driven by grant funding, product marketing and market research by individuals, rather than by research-based information.

As part of the development of the dementia-friendly demonstration house (‘Chris and Sally’s House’) at the BRE Innovation Park, 12 parameters common in most housing were identified as having both negative and positive effects on someone living at home with dementia. There has been, however, a lack of knowledge concerning the influence of such parameters on building performance, and a lack of a means for assessing the effectiveness of measures taken to create supportive environments for those with dementia.

[edit] The project

This BRE Trust supported project has developed a means for creating consistency around how buildings should be adapted for dementia, and a methodology for assessing the impact of dementia adaption measures. The parameters for dementia design were tested with stakeholder groups, and a first version of a home adaption guide methodology and scoring mechanism was developed. These were then finalised after being ‘road-tested’ in two pilot projects.

[edit] Impact

This project could see a shift in how home adaptation for an ageing population (and dementia) is perceived, specified and delivered. The methodology and scoring system will give consistency and credibility to the adaptation of buildings, and will be applicable to all properties. In addition, it may influence changes in associated standards and regulations. The project could also lead to greater adaptation capacity being embedded in new-build housing to reflect changing demographics and the new models of care being proposed.

[edit] Next step

The next step in this work will be to progress six opportunities identified by the project team to deploy the methodology in ‘real’ development projects.

You can find out more at: https://www.bregroup.com/ipark/parks/england/buildings/dementia-friendly-home/

--BRE Group

[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki

• A Home to Remember.
• An ageing population - Challenges for the built environment.
• BRE articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
• Changing lifestyles.
• Daylight benefits in healthcare buildings.
• Dementia and the built environment.
• Dementia-friendly home.
• Homes and ageing in England.
• Inclusive design.
• Lifetime homes.
• Lifetime Homes Design Guide (EP 100).
• Older people.
• People with disabilities.
• The cost of poor housing to the NHS.
• The design of extra care housing for older people and its impact on wellbeing: The East Sussex perspective.