Published 11th May 2023
Summary: Dementia is an umbrella term used to refer to a group of diseases that have broadly similar symptoms but different causes, including Alzheimer’s disease and Vascular Dementia. While there is at present no cure for the diseases that cause dementia, there is much that can be done to maximise the quality of life for those living with dementia through appropriate activities and therapies. Good design of the homes where people with dementia and their families live can support people with dementia to continue to live independently and safely in their own homes and have a positive impact on their quality of life.
In Ireland about 30,000 people with dementia live at home in the community, and another circa18,000 live in long-stay residential care. With population ageing, the number of people living at home in the community with dementia is expected to double to about 60,000 by 2031. It is, therefore, an important challenge to design today’s and tomorrow’s homes in a dementia-friendly way that promotes the wellbeing and independence of people with dementia, and takes account of the needs of their family and other carers. A Universal Design process that engages sensitively with individuals with dementia, as well as their family and other carers, is likely to produce more successful results.
This Research and Recommendations Report, commissioned by the Centre for Excellence in universal Design at the National Disability Authority, builds on other key pieces of work the Centre has produced – Building for Everyone: A Universal Design Approach and Universal Design Guidelines for homes in Ireland. The research included a review of relevant national and international literature, in-depth interviews with key stakeholders including people with dementia and their family carers, discussion workshops, and case studies
You can access the report here.
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