Innovative designs to improve quality of life for people with dementia

The Design Council in partnership with the Department of Health has supported and funded five innovative solutions for improving the quality of life for people living with dementia and also aid the development of dementia friendly communities.

In March this year, the Prime Minister, David Cameron, launched the PM’s challenge on dementia. This was a challenge for all of society, not just the government and focuses on three key areas: driving improvements in health and care, creating dementia friendly communities and better research.

The Design Council in partnership with the Department of Health have taken up the challenge because people living with dementia want to remain independent for as long as possible and with the right support they can achieve this.

Dementia is a key topic for both government and the Department of Health. In August, the Design Council and the Department of Health also launched a national challenge, funding teams to develop new design-led ideas for products and services that will make the lives of people with dementia and their carers, simpler, better and more enjoyable.

The Living well with dementia challenge enabled five teams to have a share of £360,000 and professional support to develop working prototypes and business models over five months.

Commenting on the project, Care Services Minister, Paul Burstow said: "Dementia is one of the biggest challenges we face as the population ages. It currently affects 750,000 people in the UK and that number is set to double over the next thirty years.

"To make sure we continue to improve health outcomes and manage the growing costs associated with this, we need to think smart and do things differently.

"If diagnosed early and given the right support people with dementia can continue to live well for a number of years. By engaging with businesses and the third sector I hope we will stimulate some creative thinking about how best to help people with dementia get the most out of their lives, rather than just focusing on symptoms."

Baroness Greengross explained what winning ideas the board is looking for: "Innovative ideas are necessary if we are to meet the real needs of the growing numbers of people with dementia. This new, diverse, mixture of people coming together should give us an exciting set of proposals reflecting the urgency of need and the importance of creativity and innovation in meeting them."

David Kester, CEO of the Design Council said: "This is an exciting opportunity for designers, businesses, communities to work on a project that will make such a difference to people’s lives. We can see the stats around the issue but the reality of it is that dementia is something that will and does affect every family in Britain. Previous challenges have shown the impact design plays in addressing difficult social and health issues and I think teams will once again drive the innovation curve."

Living well with dementia has been welcomed by the Alzheimer’s Society. Jeremy Hughes, chief executive said: "We need to see dramatic innovation in all areas of dementia care. Throwing down the gauntlet to such a wide range of experts has the potential to be the catalyst for real change – small or large - which could help transform the lives of the 750,000 people living with dementia in the UK. Dementia can affect anyone. However, with a timely diagnosis and the right help and support people can live well with the condition."

The prototypes of the five designs will be launched at a Design Council event on Thursday 26 April. The five new and innovative solutions will improve the quality of life for people living with dementia and also aid the development of dementia friendly communities.