Research findings from a study into ways to support people living with dementia in extra care housing, in which OSJCT participated, were launched at a reception at the House of Lords on Tuesday 7 March. The event was hosted by Lord Best and attendees included Louise Axtell OSJCT Assistant Regional Director and Natalie Lee OSJCT Domiciliary Care Manager.

The Supporting People Living with Dementia in Extra Care Housing (DemECH) project  was an 18-month study funded by the NIHR School for Social Care Research and led by the University of Worcester's Association for Dementia Studies which explored how extra care housing can help people to live well with dementia.

OSJCT were delighted to be involved with the project, investigating the advantages and disadvantages of three different extra care housing models:

• a separate area or unit for people living with dementia
• an integrated approach by supporting people living with dementia alongside residents without dementia; and
• schemes that are exclusive for people living with dementia

Three key insight booklets were published at the event to guide future extra care housing development alongside video and audio diaries sharing direct experience of people living with dementia and their experience of extra care housing.

• Extra Care Housing: A booklet for people and families affected by dementia https://bit.ly/3SXBvDG

• Extra Care Housing for people living with dementia: A booklet for adult social care commissioners & professionals https://www.housinglin.org.uk/nl/?nl=17589&u=EDB7918E-1F27-45DD-A5443979DEB906D5

• Extra Care Housing: A booklet for organisations providing Extra Care Housing for people living with dementia https://www.housinglin.org.uk/nl/?nl=17590&u=EDB7918E-1F27-45DD-A5443979DEB906D5