Interior design
can lead to a disinclination to eat. Colour contrast will help here; for example, plates that contrast with the table will help a person locate the plate. Brightly coloured utensil handles can also help. Regardless of the type of sight loss, any degree of visual acuity loss will cause a person to feel more overwhelmed. Somebody once said to me that if one of your senses is compromised, the others work harder to make up for it. Much to the frustration of my teenage sons, my hearing is now better than it ever was, but this means that in noisy places I can experience overwhelm. A few years ago we were staying with friends. One day I was sat in their kitchen where the TV was on in the background, the radio was on close to the table, table chatter was lively with five children, the dog was barking and then my hostess asked me from the kitchen whether I wanted a coffee. I remember staring at her, unable to reply, as my brain tried to process what she had asked me among all the other stimuli.
What I wanted to do was mute everything; the noise around me was just too much. In most circumstances I have control over this, walking away from certain situations, asking for the volume to be turned down or not putting myself in the situation in the first place, but for a person in a care home, this might not always be so straightforward. I also get more tired than I used to since my good eye, my right eye, is working harder to make up for the left and noise later in the day is certainly
uncomfortable for me. So acoustics are a key consideration and management of sound is important for all those with any level of sensory or cognitive decline. The aim is to minimise noise but maximise sound. An architect can design acoustic panels into a building, but if this is not possible or you are
Regardless of the type of sight loss, any degree of visual acuity loss will cause a person to feel more overwhelmed
undertaking a refurbishment, there are changes you can make to mitigate noise transmission. Where vinyl flooring is being specified, consider a cushioned product. Suspended ceilings and partitions such as bookcases can help. Window treatments – even a simple voile dressing – will absorb a degree of noise; the heavier the curtain the better the sound absorption. While space is so often at a premium, dedicated areas within homes for activities are ideal, offering a quiet lounge space for people to retreat to rather than having to compete with a loud television or the clattering of crockery in a lounge/diner space.
Designing with sight loss in mind does not necessarily involve spending huge amounts of money; it’s about applying the principles of colour contrast, lighting rooms properly and giving consideration to acoustics.
References 1. RNIB. Key Information and Statistics. [
www.rnib.org.uk/professionals/ knowledge-and-research-hub/ key-information-and-statistics].
2. RNIB. People with Sight Loss in Later Life: RNIB evidence-based review. [
www.rnib.org.uk/sites/default/files/ Evidence-based%20review%20later% 20life%20FINAL.pdf].
Jacqui Smith TCHE
Jacqui Smith, co-director of HomeSmiths Ltd, has experience in private residential, show home and healthcare design. In November 2012, Jacqui permanently lost the sight in her left eye and has combined her profession with her personal experience of impaired vision both in her own work and in promoting best practice to others in the design community. Her portfolio includes projects both new build and refurbishment in extra care, sheltered housing, dementia and nursing homes, homes for young adults with learning disabilities and hospice/end of life care. Jacqui has also written a design guide in conjunction with sight loss charity, Thomas Pocklington Trust. Jacqui is an accredited member of SBID and sits on the SBID Healthcare Design Council.
Life, love & laughter Make sense of activity provision with NAPA
+ Supporting organisations to enable residents to live life the way they choose, with meaning and purpose.
+ NAPA offers the following services: Membership; Training; Audit; Consultancy; Activity Forums and Conferences.
For further information visit:
www.napa-activities.co.uk
January 2018 •
www.thecarehomeenvironment.com 41
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48
