The Council has produced a draft Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) to set out strict guidelines for developers.
By 2030, it is estimated there will be 4,242 people over the age of 65 living with dementia in Milton Keynes, and the cost of care could be in the region of £213 million.
MK Council is committed to making Milton Keynes a ‘dementia friendly city’. Setting out strict guidelines will ensure that developers build new homes and communities that meet the needs of people living with dementia in the city.
MK Council is set to make a decision tomorrow (21/12), to launch an eight-week public consultation on the draft SPD, and is encouraging local people, organisations and partners to have their say.
Some of the features of a ‘dementia friendly’ neighbourhood include accessible housing schemes within a short distance of local amenities and public transport, streets and footpaths that are easy to navigate, as well as clear signage and sensory public gardens.
The Council recently partnered with Alzheimer’s Society. The new partnership will cover a broad range of city-wide and local community projects, with ideas for development.
They will also establish some dementia-focused community groups across MK, working alongside the NHS and other partners. These groups will look at existing local facilities such as cafes, shopping areas and GP surgeries.
Milton Keynes Council also hired specialist dementia nurses to support families across MK. These specialist dementia nurses from Dementia UK will provide life-changing support for families affected by all forms of dementia including Alzheimer’s disease.
