With calls to reduce pressure on social services and help enable those with dementia to live well for longer, Lisa Pilley, colour consultant at Dulux Trade, discusses how design and architecture are playing their part in tackling the challenge
Globally, the number of people living with dementia is predicted to increase from 50 million in 2018 to 152 million in 2050, a rise of 204 per cent.1In line with this increase, the cost of dementia care in the UK is expected to more than double over the next 25 years, from £26 billion to £55 bn in 2040.2Furthermore, research undertaken by the Local Government Association (LGA) predicts that a further 400,000 specialist homes will be required by older people across Britain within the next 20 years.
An inquiry by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Housing (APPG) and Care for Older People was carried out last year to consider housing and care options for older people in rural areas in the UK. Lord Richard Best, co-chair of the APPG and the inquiry, said: “The statistics released by the LGA are a striking illustration that this inquiry is crucial now more than ever to ensure we get housing options right for rural Britain’s ageing population.
“A quarter of the 11.4 million people living in predominantly rural areas are now over 65 years old – that’s 2.8 million people.”
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