Dementia-ready housing guidance

What does ‘dementia-ready’ mean?

Everyone experiences dementia differently and the individual’s path to diagnosis can be lengthy. While waiting for a diagnosis or even before seeking one, some common aspects of housing design can lead to difficulties, such as isolation, confusion or a fall.

The ten dementia-ready criteria listed here create an environment that facilitates a more independent, healthy lifestyle and avoids an institutional appearance. If applied at the design stage, they are cost-effective and avoid the need for some adaptations which can be unattractive and stigmatising. These adaptations can also be applied to existing housing at a relatively low cost and disruption.

1. A front door that is easy to find, day or night – This could be through different coloured front doors or adding other distinctive features such as wall-hung planters. The areas outside doorways are well-lit, so that residents can find their keys, recognise visitors, and see different colours easily.
2. Step-free access to all doors – Falls are more common for those with dementia. Without a step, people can get outside more easily. 
3. Internal decoration that avoids confusion – Dementia can change perception so bold patterns, stripes and highly contrasting floor tones can be confusing and may appear as holes in the floors or walls or moving objects. 
4. The bathroom is easy to find – Being able to find the toilet easily, especially during the night, helps people to retain independence and dignity.  
5. Bathroom locks aid rescue – Falls in the bathroom are common and being able to get help quickly is vital.  A door that can be unlocked from the outside in an emergency could save a life. 
6. A good level of natural light in all rooms - Exposure to natural light improves wellbeing and can also help to prevent falls. 
7. A view of nature in at least one room – Connection with the natural environment stimulates memory and can slow down the progression of the symptoms of dementia. 
8. Access to an outdoor space that is easy to navigate – Outdoor activity helps the brain process and coordinate. It also promotes a healthy sleep pattern. 
9. Amenities and other homes within 1km – People with dementia are less likely to drive so having amenities close by is important for independence and promoting activity. 
10.  An active dementia champion within the housing organisation – The Champion's role is to promote understanding of dementia among their colleagues, residents, and wider community.

In the summer of 2023 we worked with partners Together Housing, Wakefield District Housing and the West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership to develop a ‘rightsizing’ campaign. The campaign helps people navigate the options for housing in later life and encourages them to think about their options earlier rather than later, giving them more choice and control.

The Alzheimer’s Society Dementia Friendly Housing Guide.

The Kirklees Dementia Friendly Design Tool, developed in collaboration with the University of Stirling’s Dementia Services Development Centre,  is backed by academic research for promoting best practice in designing environments for people living with dementia.

Housing for people with dementia – are we ready? - A report from an inquiry by the APPG on Housing and Care for Older People

Housing Learning and Improvement Network (Housing LIN) is for anyone working in housing, health and social care promoting solutions that enable everyone to live well in good quality housing.

The University of Worcester has developed a suite of dementia friendly assessment tools for use in care settings.

The Alzheimer’s Society offers a support line, online and print information, expert dementia advisers and online community, providing advice and practical guidance for people living with dementia, their families and carers.

Age UK offers a variety of services for older people and their carers including links to social activities, advice, lifestyle and active connections across West Yorkshire.

Bradford Council's Housing Options provides free and confidential help with housing and related problems in Bradford.

Bradford Dementia Hub offers information and advice for anyone, of any age, living in Bradford concerned about their memory, living with dementia, and their carers, families and friends

Calderdale Dementia Hub can be contacted via cdh@commlinks.co.uk or on 01422 399833 

Gateway to Care at Calderdale Council provides a first point of contact for adult social care.  

Calderdale Housing Options provides free and confidential help with housing and related problems in Calderdale.

DEEP - the UK Network of Dementia Voices supports people with dementia.

Dementia UK is a specialist dementia nursing charity that provides free support and advice to anyone affected by dementia.

Engage Leeds Dementia Housing Support Workers provide housing-related support to people with Dementia and conditions that result in memory issues such as brain injury and strokes. They can support and assist people to maintain their current tenancy by utilising adaptations, assisted technology or appropriate care packages and also signpost to community networks.

Kirklees Housing Options includes links related to living independently at home.

Kirklees Dementia Hub is a free information and advice service for people living with dementia, their carers, family and friends in Kirklees.

Leeds Housing Options can be contacted on housing.options@leeds.gov.uk.

Leeds Older People’s Forum includes information regarding the Friendly Communities project, aimed to make Leeds an age and dementia friendly city.

Making Every Contact Count (MECC) is a collaborative partnership linking 15 local authorities within Yorkshire and the Humber with key wider public health workforce partners in the NHS, Emergency Services and 3rd sector. Provides contact details and links to support offered across Yorkshire and the Humber, aiming to provide a joined-up approach.  

Wakefield Housing Options provides general housing-related information for people living in Wakefield and signposting to more personalised guidance.

Wakefield Support with Dementia provides connections to support services, programmes and resources for people living with dementia in Wakefield.

Young Dementia Leeds offers a range of wellbeing, holistic, mutual and peer support for people under 65 who are living with dementia in Leeds.

There are different types of specialist housing designed to meet the diverse needs of older people, which can include:

• Age-restricted general market housing:This type of housing is generally for people aged 55 and over and the active elderly. It may include some shared amenities such as communal gardens, but does not include support or care services.
• Retirement living or sheltered housing:This usually consists of purpose-built flats or bungalows with limited communal facilities such as a lounge, laundry room and guest room. It does not generally provide care services, but provides some support to enable residents to live independently. This can include 24 hour on-site assistance (alarm) and a warden or house manager.
• Extra care housing or housing-with-care:This usually consists of purpose-built or adapted flats or bungalows with a medium to high level of care available if required, through an onsite care agency registered through the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Residents are able to live independently with 24 hour access to support services and staff, and meals are also available. There are often extensive communal areas, such as space to socialise or a wellbeing centre. In some cases, these developments are known as retirement communities or villages - the intention is for residents to benefit from varying levels of care as time progresses.
• Residential care homes and nursing homes:These have individual rooms within a residential building and provide a high level of care meeting all activities of daily living. They do not usually include support services for independent living. This type of housing can also include dementia care homes.

The National Dementia Information Hub is a fantastic resource: home for all the best information, advice, and support for people with dementia, their families, and carers as well as policy makers, practitioners, and academics. It is an ever-growing and developing resource, which pools together the existing assistance, guidance, and research on dementia.

National Dementia Information Hub