NHS trusts and councils in the region are being invited to bid for a share in a new fund to improve care for people with dementia.
Up to £50m is being made available by the Government to help tailor hospitals and care homes to the needs of those with dementia.
Improved designs have been shown to help dementia patients manage their condition better, by helping to reduce agitation and confusion.
The Government wants North-East trusts, councils and social care providers to develop more initiatives like the butterfly scheme used by Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Trust in West Yorkshire.
The system involves placing a butterfly symbol on the bed of a patient with dementia, to ensure staff know that they need extra help.
Other ideas could be to set up hi-tech sensory rooms using light, smells and sound to stimulate those with dementia, using large photos of local scenes from the past to help connect people with dementia to their past or to install controllable mood lighting.
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