West Yorkshire leads the way on better housing for people with dementia

Welcoming the start of Dementia Action Week (19 – 25 May), West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin has celebrated the progress of the region’s fifteen leading social housing providers in delivering ‘dementia-ready’ housing for local people.

More residents of West Yorkshire who develop dementia will be able to live in their homes more safely and for longer, after housebuilders galvanise around ‘dementia-ready’ improvements to new builds and refurbished properties.

The dementia-ready homes meet a set of simple but robust criteria that can make life immeasurably easier for people living with diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

These criteria include recognisable front doors that are easy to distinguish from neighbouring homes, step-free access to reduce falls and make independent living easier, and plenty of natural light to boost happiness and reduce confusion.

The ten criteria were first published by Mayor Brabin’s Dementia-Ready Housing Taskforce last year, and have since been adopted by every member of the West Yorkshire Housing Partnership.

The Mayor is now calling on all remaining housebuilders in the region to ensure their new and refurbished properties better reflect the criteria, so that residents across West Yorkshire can be confident that their treasured home will cater for their needs in later life.

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: 

“One in two of us will be affected by dementia in our lifetime, either because we develop the condition ourselves, or because we become a carer for a loved one.

“It’s vital that our housing is ready to meet this challenge and provide safety, security and dignity in later life.

“That’s why we’re leading the way in West Yorkshire with our dementia-ready housing criteria, adopted by every member of our regional housing partnership.

“Together, we’re ensuring that people can live happier and healthier lives no matter what life throws at them, in a brighter West Yorkshire that works for all.”

 Housing developments that meet the dementia-ready criteria include the 88 homes that are near to completion across a number of brownfield sites in Seacroft and the Ambertons area of Gipton, Leeds.

The new Leeds City Council properties, which have been delivered by Wates Construction, mostly or fully comply with the region’s dementia-ready housing criteria. They will soon be made available as council housing at affordable rent for local people, and were made possible by £1.7 million from the Mayor’s Brownfield Housing Fund.

At the same time, Connect Housing Association has refurbished the communal areas of a flat development in Otley, Leeds, to bring it in line with the criteria. The doors and walls have been repainted to reduce confusion, alongside coloured number plaques and new floor coverings to make life easier for residents with dementia.

All of the fifteen West Yorkshire Housing Partnership partners committed in 2024 to implement the criteria to their new homes. These make up a substantial proportion of the 5,000 affordable homes that are being delivered in this Mayoral term.

Rachael Dennis, Chief Executive of Incommunities and Chair of the West Yorkshire Housing Partnership, said: 

“We know that as people get older, their housing needs change - and for many, staying in their own home is key to happier, healthier lives. 

"Through our support of the West Yorkshire Dementia-Ready Housing Taskforce, we’ve committed to creating homes that help people living with dementia stay independent for longer. 

"Housing associations have a unique role to play in shaping communities where everyone can grow older with the support and security they need, and I’m proud of the progress we’re making together.”

Helen Lennon, CEO of Connect Housing and Chair of the Dementia Ready Taskforce said:

"At Connect Housing, we are proud to be actively implementing these vital dementia-ready standards, as demonstrated by our recent adaptations in Otley. 

"By embracing these practical measures across West Yorkshire, we can empower more individuals living with dementia to maintain their independence, comfort, and connection to their communities for longer. 

"This collaborative effort, championed by the Mayor, is making a real difference to people's lives."

The dementia-ready criteria driven forward by the Mayor and adopted by each of the West Yorkshire Housing Partnership providers are:

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.
2. Step-free access to all doors for new homes. 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 may cause problems.
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 that 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 habitable 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.