Making better homes for people living with dementia

Bryony Willett, Home Group’s director of Scotland, used our Dementia-Friendly Housing Framework to assess how well they were supporting their customers living with dementia. Here she presents the learning and shares recommendations for housing associations yet to do an assessment.  

Dementia affects an increasing number of people in Scotland. According to the Scottish Government, around 90,000 people in Scotland are currently living with dementia.  

We have an ageing population, and over the next 20 years projected estimates show a 50 per cent increase in the number of people over the age of 65 with dementia. Some estimates suggest one in three people born today will go on to develop dementia. (Dementia - Mental health - gov.scot) 

Housing associations are in a unique position to support tenants affected by dementia and their families. This is achieved not just through bricks and mortar, but through connection, care and continuity. Safe, familiar environments and supportive services can make a huge difference in helping people to maintain independence and quality of life.  

At Home Group Scotland, we recently took time to reflect on how well we support people living with dementia. We used CIH Scotland’s Dementia-Friendly Housing Framework, a practical toolkit first published in 2018, to carry out a self-assessment. Although the framework is now a few years old, we found it just as relevant and thought-provoking today as it was when first released. 

This process was more than a tick-box exercise. It prompted us to ask ourselves challenging but necessary questions such as: are we doing enough to support our customers living with dementia? And are our services, homes, and policies helping people to live well for longer? 

So, what are we doing about it? As a result of our assessment, we’ve identified several next steps: 

• Dementia awareness training for all staff: Regardless of role, every colleague will take part in dementia awareness training. This will ensure everyone - from housing managers to maintenance staff and corporate teams - can contribute to a more understanding and supportive environment. 
• Updating our tenancy sustainment framework: We’re adding clear information on the support available to people with dementia and their families. Our goal is to ensure staff know what to look out for and where to signpost people for help. 
• Reviewing policy through a dementia lens: We’re liaising with our policy team to explore how dementia considerations are embedded in key areas like anti-social behaviour and support for vulnerable adults. A compassionate and informed approach is essential. 
• Designing with dementia in mind: We're reviewing colour schemes and signage in our retirement housing to make them more dementia-friendly. Small environmental changes can have a big impact on how easily someone with dementia can navigate their home and feel secure. 

This was not a one-off exercise. It’s the start of an ongoing commitment to building more inclusive communities. By embedding dementia awareness into the culture of our organisation, from how we design homes to how we train staff, we can better support our customers to live independently, safely and with dignity. 

We’d encourage other housing associations to revisit CIH’s Housing and dementia framework too. It’s a valuable tool for reflection, planning, and practical action. We would also love to hear from others about steps they are taking to address this challenge.