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Moving to a new house or neighbourhood can housing is the low initial cost, estimated at 5%
present disadvantages for someone with of the total construction cost. If people
dementia. A familiar home environment with become frail, develop dementia or become
supportive neighbours and appropriate disabled, subsequent modifications to housing
modifications promotes orientation, a sense which already has the adaptable design, can
of identity and helps the person to retain their be done at minimal cost and inconvenience.
independent living skills. For a person with
dementia a move can sometimes change all of Adaptable housing features are not dementia-
this. specific but rather relate to access, mobility
and safety. Many of the features would
Nevertheless, it may be necessary to move significantly support caring for someone with
house for a variety of reasons which may middle to late stage dementia when mobility
include inappropriate layout or location, or deteriorates and need for personal care
the physical condition of the house. People on increases.
farms sometimes need to move to town to be
closer to medical and community services. In The following are examples of features
building or selecting a new house, there are a included in the Standard:
number of special design features which • Level or gently sloping site with up to 1:14
would be very helpful to someone with gradient
dementia and their carer. Some of these
• Continuous, slip-resistant and hard-
features are dementia-specific and others are
surfaced paths and walkways with
associated with frailty and difficulties with
specified gradients
mobility generally.
• Pathway lighting positioned at low height
Adaptable Housing Design to avoid glare
In 1995 Australian Standards published the • Landing to allow wheelchair
Australian Standard: Adaptable Housing AS manoeuvrability
4299-1995. This Standard provides guidelines • Accessible entry and door with specified
on how to build housing with design features clearance
that are flexible enough to respond to the • Specified clearance of internal doors and
changing needs of people such as the corridors
recommended width of doorways and • Minimum width of internal corridors
corridors and the size and layout of the
• Accessible bathroom area
bathroom and toilet which will allow
wheelchair access should it be required at a • Slip-resistant floor surface in bathroom,
later time. toilet, balconies and external paved areas
• Shower recess with no hob and of specified
Among the many advantages of adaptable size
The content and funding for the production of this sheet were provided by the NSW Ageing and Disability
Department under the NSW Action Plan on Dementia.
This publication provides a general summary only of the subject matter covered. Any person with
dementia or a carer for a person with dementia should seek professional advice about the specific case. Sheet 11
The Alzheimer’s Associations in Australia are not liable for any error or omission in this publication, April 2000
even if negligent.