The document summarizes the Worcestershire Dementia Dwelling Grant (DDG) pilot program. A project group including health, housing, social care, and voluntary sectors established the pilot to provide home adaptations for people living with dementia. The group developed eligibility criteria and identified delivery partners. Over the pilot period, 510 grants were approved. Evaluations found improvements in recipients' ability to care for themselves, feelings of safety, and satisfaction with accommodation. The program will continue beyond the pilot based on its success.

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Worcestershire Dementia Dwelling Grant (DDG)
How we went about setting up the DDG
Commissioning priorities and prevalence data was reviewed to establish local need and
potential customer base. A Project Group was established involving agencies working with
customers with Dementia.
The group:
 Agreed to establish the pilot and develop integrated working across disciplines
 Researched and agreed an initial list of adaptations designed to enable people to live
well at home with dementia
 Assessed options and agreed the delivery partners,
Risks and Mitigation:
 Lack of / too many referrals – targeted marketing plan and clear referral path, ongoing
review of eligibility and funding
 Cut in delivery partner funding – commissioners part of project group
 Lack of Countywide participation – ongoing communications, commitment for set
period of time with expenditure cap.
 Unable to secure ongoing funding to continue (exit strategy). Engaged independent
researchers to analyse impact and outcomes
 Delay in implementation/setting up service. Utilise existing referral agencies and
service providers for duration of pilot.
Worcestershire’s jointly commissioned HIA Service is overseen by a Management Board
attended by the six district and county councils. A briefing report was considered and
approved by the Board in December 2016; granting commitment to fund the service for a pilot.
Following the successful first year, commitment has been given for a 2nd
year.
Project delivery
The multi-agency group included health, housing, social care and the voluntary sector; people
with an expertise in the field of Dementia to identify the gaps in provision, the needs of people
living with dementia, and to ensure support for the programme.
CRW established the project plan with key tasks; leads were allocated to the most appropriate
partners, progress was reviewed at meetings during Aug 16 - April 17 until commencement.
It was agreed to establish a pilot supported by independent evaluation to determine the impact
and to help secure ongoing funding.
The Dementia Advisors, an existing service delivered by Age UK (HW), survey the home to
determine which adaptions would be beneficial and the handyperson fits the products.
Monitoring data is reported to the Project Group to identify any issues. The service is flexible
and able to adapt to customer needs.
Challenges:

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 Evaluation – difficulty in getting agreement to
participate in the pilot. Shadowing/training with the University took place which
increased confidence and understanding.
 Stock - initially stocked the complete range of items, but these were not all
being used – reviewed stock list and made amendments. Lack of availability of popular
items – negotiated with wholesalers direct
Impact
Age UK (HW) provides a Dementia Advice Service. The data collected for the assessment
and evaluation is undertaken by the Dementia Advisors at their routine visits. This minimises
disruption to the people living with dementia and their families, and reduces costs.
During 2017-18, 510 grant assessments were completed; 75% received a DDG grant, 101
consents to participate in the evaluation. Average cost of installation £138
Early indications are better than we would have expected from a group of people living with
dementia
 Improvement in ability of participants to look after themselves
 Improvement in ‘feeling safe’
 Slight reduction in levels of loneliness
 Slight improvement in levels of satisfaction with accommodation
 Little change in satisfaction with health
Next steps
 Further analysis of case studies at 3 and 9 months. Final report will be produced end
of 2018. This is awaiting sign off so is not yet available to be shared.
 DDG will continue beyond the pilot.
 Ongoing review of impact and processes of the service, through learning and listening
to the needs of beneficiaries.
 To be considered by Health & Well Being Board
Learning
 The DDG model can be replicated and is being used in other LA areas
 Collaborative working secured a better model and added weight to the proposal for
the trial. It demonstrated to decision-makers, funders and stakeholders the need.
This was a powerful asset.
 A person not able to consent to be part of the evaluation was an issue. Changes
to evaluation questions and further training with Dementia Advisors increased
participation.
 Partners want to work together to provide better services for customers. Integration
secures a better way of achieving the end goal.
 Engage before decisions are made.
 Be prepared to adapt and be flexible – make change when required
 Provide the skills to partners to be fully engaged

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 Communicate
 Ensure access to the grant is simple and meets the needs of the
customer
 Manage expectations
 Establish a clear decision making process
 Ensure that there is commitment at all levels
 Manage the risks jointly