Grant available for Malvern residents living with dementia to help pay for home adaptations - The Malvern Observer

Grant available for Malvern residents living with dementia to help pay for home adaptations

Malvern Editorial 6th Apr, 2017   0

A NEW grant is being made available to residents living with dementia across the Malvern Hills District to help pay for adaptations to their homes.

Worcestershire is the first county in the UK to trial such a grant which helps eligible people with dementia to adapt their home so they can better manage their surroundings and maintain their independence.

Dementia Dwelling Grants of up to £750 are available and are not means-tested, but will be based on the assessment of each individual’s needs.

They can be used to buy bespoke products, such as clocks which clearly present the day of the week and whether it’s the morning or night, items which help a carer to support the person living with dementia and to change the colour and contrast of rooms to help with orientation in the home.




The grant is open to anyone living and paying council tax in Worcestershire who has a clinically proven diagnosis of dementia and is still living in their own home.

Applications will be processed by Age UK Herefordshire and Worcestershire on a first-come, first-served basis and will be paid for through the Department of Health’s Better Care fund.


The scheme will be independently assessed by the University of Worcester’s Association for Dementia Studies (ADS) to ascertain the impact of the grants on those who receive them and to identify any potential cost savings.

If it proves successful, it is hoped the grant will be made available to Worcestershire residents on a more permanent basis.

Independence

Elaine Salter, housing services manager for Wychavon and Malvern Hills District Councils, said: “The aim is to reduce feelings of anxiety and confusion for people living with dementia and ultimately allow them to maintain their independence and remain in their own homes for as long as possible.”

Philip Talbot, chief executive officer of Age UK Herefordshire and Worcestershire, added: “We are really pleased to be part of this innovative Dementia Dwelling Grant programme to help people with dementia to live well and as independently as possible in their own homes.”

People can apply for the grant by visiting www.ageukhw.org.uk.

The Dementia Advice Service is available on 01905 740950 or email [email protected].

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