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Government must support provision of more extra-care housing, MPs say
Whitehall must encourage the supply of more extra-care and assisted living accommodation as dementia cases are expected to double by 2040, an all-party parliamentary group (APPG) has said.
A new report from the APPG on Housing and Care for Older People argued that developing suitable homes for people living with dementia has been too slow and will lead to a shortfall of suitable housing in the coming years.
MPs and peers noted that the majority of older people with dementia do not live in a purpose-designed home and an increasing number live alone without access to formal care.
The report called on ministers to recognise the interdependency between dementia and housing as well as acknowledge the scale of the issue, since the number of people living with dementia in the UK is expected to rise form 850,000 today to 1.6 million by 2040.
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The group recommended that the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) support more extra-care, assisted living and retirement housing that is ‘dementia ready’ with ringfenced grant through Homes England and the Affordable Housing Programme.
It also suggested that the Cabinet Office establishes a minister for ageing with responsibility across MHCLG and the Department of Health and Social Care.
Lord Best, co-chair of the APPG on Housing and Care for Older People, said: “There are no vaccines for dementia. There is currently no cure and in most cases the condition worsens over time. But getting the housing right can make a huge difference for those living with dementia and their carers.
“Our inquiry shows how ‘right-sizing’ or adapting the home can avoid or postpone a move into residential care, saving residential places for others who really need them.
“Our recommendations challenge politicians and practitioners but also ourselves to get ready for a future when, despite increasing numbers, everyone with dementia can have a fulfilling life.”
Jane Ashcroft, chief executive of Anchor Hanover, which sponsored the inquiry, said: “This report highlights the massive improvements that can be made to people’s lives by housing which enables individuals to be more independent.
“The recommendations set out clear and effective ways in which the government and providers can address this major challenge, making our society more dementia-friendly and enhancing the lives of those living with dementia.”
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