New APPG report sets out how the housing sector must embrace dementia-readiness

Today sees the launch of the latest Inquiry report by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Housing and Care for Older People. Jointly written by the Housing LIN's co-dementia lead, Katey Twyford, and the Housing LIN’s CEO Jeremy Porteus, Secretariat to the Inquiry.

The report pulls together the evidence presented to the Inquiry's expert Panel, the research and analysis undertaken to understand the housing implications of people living with dementia and makes over 40 key policy and practice recommendations for making dementia-readiness happen.

The 9 month Inquiry, sponsored by the Anchor Hanover Group, held 4 virtual Inquiry Sessions between May and December 2020 due to the pandemic, interviewed 14 "witnesses" including people with dementia, carers organisations and those working in the NHS, designing or providing housing and/or commissioning adult social care services.

It also received a selection of written submissions from academics, trade and professional bodies and provider organisations to help Panel members build a picture of the lived experiences of people with dementia and the impact of their housing circumstances pre-Covid and during lockdown.

The Inquiry report makes a number of important findings for future improvements to the way we design dementia-ready new housing, retrofit our existing stock and make best use of technology, aids and equipment. It also includes useful infographic and updates the original 10 HAPPI design principles to ensure that they are dementia-friendly.