Dementia-friendly environments the focus of £50m Government funding

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has announced a £50m fund to be awarded to more than 100 care homes and hospitals, with the aim of establishing pioneering dementia care environments.
The pilot scheme, looking for a positive impact on 116 projects in total, could inspire further Government funding to bring dementia-friendly environments to all parts of England.

Mr Hunt comments: “There is little doubt that our home and work environment has an important impact upon our day to day lives – and our care environment is no exception.

“We can encounter any number of places and spaces in one day, and yet for someone with advanced dementia even walking from one room to another can be difficult. This pilot scheme will form an important first step towards driving forward better care environments for people with dementia.

“Funding was awarded to projects that demonstrate how practical changes to the environment within which people with dementia are treated in will make a tangible improvement to their condition.”

Alzheimer’s Society chief executive, Jeremy Hughes, welcomed the announcement and spoke of the importance that a person’s surroundings can have on their mental health, saying:

“The effect an unfamiliar hospital or care home environment has on the well-being of a person with dementia is often underestimated. Changes to a person’s surroundings can leave people with dementia feeling confused, anxious or agitated and can drastically affect their quality of life.

“Moving into a care home or spending time in hospital can be a difficult transition, and often the buildings and grounds are not layed out in a way that supports staff to deliver good quality care.

“Investment in pioneering projects that will create dementia-friendly environments within these care settings will play a vital part in helping to improve the care hospitals or care homes are able to provide.”