The Fife Dementia Strategy: 2010 – 2020 - The Knowledge Network

In order to ensure appropriate housing is available, housing providers,
planners and developers will need to understand the unique needs of older
people with physical or mental health conditions, including dementia. Such
needs have been highlighted in the recommendations laid out in Housing for
Varying Needs (Part 2, Section 1.5) 32 and more recently in Lifetime Homes,
Lifetime Neighbourhoods 33 . Following the update of the Housing Needs and
Demands Assessment (4.5.1), the results and information will be used by the
Asset & Facilities Management group in partnership with the Council Planning
Department to ensure all new builds intended as social or rented housing
meet the principles of dementia friendly designs and guidance laid out in
Housing for Varying Needs 34 Part 2, Section 1.5, and all new houses intended
for private use are encouraged to utilise these principles.
Within Fife there is a considerable estate of existing housing for older people
and people who require support at home, however there is currently a lack of
synchronised commissioning of accommodation, housing support services,
and home care services to provide a holistic approach to meeting individual’s
needs. There are cases where people have to turn down suitable
accommodation because care packages cannot be put in place, and vice
versa. Priorities of resources are different in different services and hence
resulting in lack of understanding by providers and users whilst individual’s
needs remain unmet. In order to develop a better understanding Fife Council’s
Housing and Neighbourhood Services, as part of the Specific Needs Housing
Approach, will develop a multi-agency Specific Needs Housing and Support
Group to bring together joint working in the commissioning of accommodation,
support and care services and will ensure that providers of housing and care
will work together to determine how the housing needs of people with
dementia will best be met.
Encouraging the development and provision of suitable housing options with
appropriate support arrangements will allow Fife Council Housing Service to
reconsider the capacity of current housing options and develop services which
are appropriate for people with potentially high levels of need such as people
with dementia. Examples of good practice in this area are already underway
(See Fife Housing Demonstrator Project pp. 44) and it is intended that such
projects will be learned from and developed into services throughout Fife.
Residents would often prefer to live in unsuitable conditions than to move, as
moving can be a very stressful time. This is especially the case for people with
dementia who often thrive on familiarity and consistency, and may find it
difficult to adapt to new environments. The Fife Telecare Development
Programme will continue to work across all housing sectors (home owners,
private tenants, tenants of social housing) to raise awareness of the role of
telecare to support people with dementia living at home and the role they can
play in promoting independence, and to provide training for practitioners when
making assessments and referrals for telecare services.
32 Scottish Homes (1999). Housing for Varying Needs.
33 Department of Health (2008). Lifetime Homes, Lifetime Neighbourhoods.
34 Scottish Homes (1999).
45