Title: Inclusive Design for Dementia (ID4D) Dunhill Medical Trust PhD Studentships
Funder: Dunhill Medical Trust

Abstract: An ageing population is placing greater demands on care services/providers and presenting new challenges to people wishing to remain in their homes safely and independently for as long as possible. Our Dementia House showcased how people with the condition can live independently for longer and received attention from councils, healthcare services, housing agencies and the general public. The research team would like to further consider the home adaptation needs of an ageing population and explore the benefits of healthcare technology. There is limited recognition of what ‘good’ home design entails and despite a plethora of healthy ageing technologies, few have been thoroughly tested for effectiveness and implementation by end-users. Purchasing advice can be overwhelming. Building on our previous research, we propose a focused, multi-disciplinary CDT that takes an inclusive approach to improving ageing at home. We will explore building adaptation guidelines, technologies for improving physical and mental health and design for safety in the home. With the percentage of people aged 65 or over expected to reach 17% by 2050 (nearly double today’s figure), it is crucial that we prepare for longer, healthier independent living now. PhD 1: Developing PPIE guidelines for home adaptations Supervised by Prof. Hogervorst and Prof. Cook with input from the BRE Dementia House architect PhD 1 will investigate how local councils interpreted our previous guidance and explore how it should be translated for use by individuals, architects and councils. With feedback from these key stakeholders, we will produce official guidelines for adapting homes for independence in the users’ preferred format. Guidelines will include necessities versus desirables, estimated costs and the best time for implementation. For example, early implementation is suggested for structural changes (e.g. lifts), whereas soft furnishings and painting in contrasting colours can be implemented later. Currently, Part M of building regulations only considers physical disability, such as wheelchair accessibility and the height of sockets for easy reach. However, mental impairment such as dementia and autism can significantly affect independent living. Using our networks with the BRE, we will create a ‘Part M+’ for building regulations to make cognitive health considerations mandatory in all new builds and renovations. PhD 2: Investigating technology for healthy ageing Supervised by Prof. Hogervorst and Prof. Hignett with input from Prof. Massimiliano Zecca (Professor of Healthcare Technology) and Alcuris, a local company specialising in healthcare technology PhD 2 investigates healthy ageing technology, which is being developed at a high rate but often without an evidence base. With PPIE we will vet these technologies during a sandpit demonstration, before exploring how they can be implemented in new house builds and renovations. We will also test improvement of existing technology to support healthy ageing. Our Actichair encourages the user to perform physical exercises shown to improve cognition, self-efficacy and wellbeing in older people with and without dementia. We will further investigate its impact by testing it in people’s homes to understand how and when it is used. The Actichair is linked to a giant interactive screen, which PPIE groups have suggested developing to enable users to Skype friends and family and partake in a virtual Cognitive Stimulation Therapy group. Engaging with people is shown to improve memory and wellbeing so we will assess the impact and effectiveness of using the screen for both physical and psychosocial activities. PhD 3: Investigating design for health and safety in the home Supervised by Prof. Hignett and Prof. Cook with input from Prof. Hogervorst PhD 3 will develop low energy design strategies for homes suitable for those with dementia or frailty. These will consider thermal comfort, indoor air quality, user versus automatic controls and safety mechanisms such as leaving electrical appliances on or leaving windows and doors open. The elderly are particularly at risk in a world suffering increased air temperatures and poor air quality due to climate change. The project will use a combination of concept design tools and dynamic thermal simulation programmes to test and refine an atlas of designs. PhD 3 will result in a design guide for low energy and safe homes for ageing occupants. It will also use existing data from a survey of over 1,000 people aged 60 and over to assess their receptivity to technology and structural changes to their homes. All PhDs in the CDT involve PPIE through surveys and focus groups. The outputs of this CDT will contribute to the design and adaptation of housing stock and technology that can meet the needs of an ageing population with wide-ranging conditions, symptoms, needs and financial considerations.


Research activity codes: 7.3 MANAGEMENT AND DECISION MAKING;5.7 PHYSICAL;7.4 RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE (DISEASE MANAGEMENT)
Health categories: GENERIC HEALTH RELEVANCE