From Foundations

1. D E M E N T I A & T H E
D F G
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2. R E S U LT S : R R O S & D F G D ATA :
• Not many DFGs are done with dementia as a primary impairment but are still likely done
for people with dementia
• 41 / 343 local authorities had dementia-specific housing assistance policies
• Another 39 mentioned dementia but didn’t have policy related to it
• Areas which worked with regional demographics & other local factors had the most
coherent policies

3. S U R V E Y S T O H O U S I N G
A U T H O R I T I E S & O T S :
• DFGs for specifically dementia: 59% said fewer than 10/month , 49% didn’t know
• Housing authorities did alter designs for dementia but these alterations did not match
what OTs believed were most important adaptations
• Housing authorities prioritized safer flooring & tonal contrast adaptations
• OTs: labels and signs on cupboards and doors
• All believed more training would be useful : at every level
• 75% of housing authorities said that they had not consulted PWD as customers or in the
drafting of their policy

4. S TA R T L I N G I N S I G H T S
• Best practice : More access points : Important to speed up delivery
- OTs are constrained for time – service relies on referrals from GPs / hospital which also
takes time = adaptations should be put in place as quickly as possible
• Best practice : Recognising small-scale changes can make a difference
• Best practice: Customer inclusion & feedback:

5. P E R S O N A L I N S I G H T S
• Dementia Diaries : diaries of those with dementia by Wendy Mitchell
• Interviewed David Truswell : experienced writer and speaker on dementia and its impact
on Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities in the UK
• Interviewed Claire Days : Programme co-ordinator for Bring Dementia out
FINDINGS:
Customer-led approaches must consider individual need throughout the entire process
• Interesting parallels between these groups and how they can be marginalized from
mainstream approaches
• Training, adaptations and communication with customers must consider all of these
personal factors

6. R E C O M M E N D AT I O N S
• More housing assistance policies for dementia & DFGs being done for dementia
• Recognition that small-scale adaptations are just as beneficial
• Earlier intervention, more access points & more available information
• More thorough & regular training for all staff
• BAME & LGBTQ+ considerations at every stage in the process
• Working with PWD to include them in the process entirely
• More frequent & widespread consultations: in policy making and DFG implementing
• Broader stakeholder engagement
• More support available to both the person with dementia and their families
• More individual-based approach

7. A N Y Q U E S T I O N S ?