The majority of the estimated 64,000 people currently living with dementia in Ireland, live at home in their local communities.
Dementia is an umbrella term for a group of conditions that have similar symptoms.The most common forms of dementia are Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia and mixed dementia (a combination of Alzheimer’s disease and vascular changes in the brain). Although dementia usually affects people as they get older, nine out of ten older people will never get dementia.
Some common symptoms of dementia include the ability to remember, plan, use language, navigate and regulate mood and behaviour. The experience of dementia is also influenced by a person’s social situation, their overall health status, their personality, and their preferences for care and support.
Good design helps people with dementia remain living at home and in their community independently and safely for as long as possible and can also support other family members and carers.
The Centre of Excellence at the National Disability Authority developed guidelines for a universal design approach to new build and retrofitting existing homes to support people living with dementia. You can view these guidelines on the Centre for Universal Design website.
There are a number of useful websites and resources that provide information on living with dementia: