Making Homes More Dementia-Friendly through the Use of Aids and Adaptations

The majority of people with dementia live in their own homes, often supported by a family
member. While this is the preferred option for most, they often face multiple challenges due to
a deterioration in their physical and cognitive abilities. This paper reports on a pilot study that
aimed to explore the impacts of aids and adaptations on the wellbeing of people with dementia
and their families living at home. Quantitative data were collected using established measures of
wellbeing at baseline, 3 months and 9 months. In-depth case studies were carried out with a sample of
participants. Findings from the pilot suggest that relatively inexpensive aids can contribute towards
the maintenance of wellbeing for people with dementia in domestic settings. The project also increased
the skills and confidence of professionals involved in the project and strengthened partnerships
between the collaborating organisations across health, housing and social care. Providing aids that
can help people with dementia to remain living at home with a good quality of life, often with the
support of a family member, is an important element in the development of age-friendly communities.