EXPERTS from the University of Stirling have created a tool to help make homes, premises and public places more dementia friendly.

The Environments for Ageing and Dementia Design Assessment Tool (EADDAT) combines the latest research on designing for cognitive change with the expertise of leading architects based at the university’s Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC).

EADDAT is available to those seeking to make homes, restaurants, cafes and public buildings more accessible.

The tool could be useful for Wee County communities who have been placing an emphasis on dementia friendly places, such as the development trusts at Dollar and Clackmannan.

Lesley Palmer, chief architect at DSDC, said: “Two thirds of people with dementia in the UK live at home, in their community and it is a requirement that supermarkets, pharmacies, and other public places make reasonable adjustments to enable everyone to user their facilities.

“Research has demonstrated that dementia design can sustain independence and support quality of life for people with dementia.

“Additionally, research tells us that age-friendly environments can help foster healthy and active ageing by building and maintaining cognitive capacities across the course of our lives.

“This is increasingly more important as the global population is ageing.

“This ground-breaking new tool is designed to be more accessible and covers an array of building types.

“Whether you are a person living with dementia, a small business owner or commissioning a new care home, there is a version of EADDAT available to support you.”

Visit dementia.stir.ac.uk to access the tool.