People with dementia need stimulating to remain living independently

The government must fund social activities for people with dementia in extra care housing to provide them with the stimulation they need to continue living independently, a report published today says.

The study on dementia and extra care, published by housing provider Housing 21, the Housing Corporation and the University of West England, says that with the right support the vast majority of people with the condition can avoid going into a care home.

Besides investment in social activities, the report calls for health services, serving residents and the wider community, to be based on extra care sites, and better training for staff. This would make them better able to understand the “challenging” behaviour, ranging from wandering to aggression that often leads to people having to more into residential care.

However, it adds that some people with severe dementia some would still require nursing home care.

Elements of the report were unveiled earlier this year.

Opening doors to independence from www.housing21.co.uk