A new grant scheme to enable people living with dementia to stay in their homes for longer will be trialled for the first time by Worcester City Council.
The council will provide up to £750 for people with dementia to help fund a range of adaptations to their home. This could include buying bespoke products or the use of colour and contrast to aid orientation in the home.
Nina Warrington, head of strategic housing at Worcester City Council, said: ‘The aim of Worcestershire’s dwelling grant is to help reduce feelings of confusion and anxiety among residents living with dementia, and to allow them to live independently in their own homes for as long as possible.
‘If the trial is successful, our aspiration is that further funding will be made available and that the grant could then be offered to Worcestershire residents on a more permanent basis.’
The money will be paid through the government’s Better Care Fund and will not be means-tested.
It will be independently evaluated by the University of Worcester’s Association for Dementia Studies (ADS) to explore the impact of grants and identify any potential cost savings.
