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When designing a memory care area, it’s important to incorporate features that will help you ensure a safe, comfortable, independent environment while stimulating residents’ physical, social and cultural well-being. Consider the following features.
Safety Help keep residents safe while maintaining their independence with:
✓ Alerts and alarms to help protect against unauthorized exiting
✓ Handrails and grab bars ✓ Inconspicuous doors; for example, situate unauthorized exits or utility rooms parallel to hallways rather than at the end
Flooring Proper flooring and maintenance is important to resident balance and orientation. Consider memory care flooring that is free of slippery surfaces with:
See page D205.
✓ Gradual transitions and handrails between flooring materials
✓ No borders or strong, busy patterns
✓ Contrasting colors from chairs and tables
Awareness &
Orientation Help maximize residents’ ability to familiarize with their surroundings with:
✓ Simple signage placed at eye level ✓ Personal photos and mementos in resident room entryways
✓ Regular schedules and purpose- specific rooms
✓ Ample space and engaging surroundings such as an outdoor garden
Stimulation Help minimize resident agitation that comes from multiple sources of competing stimuli.
Incorporate: ✓ Pleasing sounds as cues for activities ✓ Even lighting ✓ Sound-absorbing materials in public areas ✓ Enforced policies regarding staff volume levels
Avoid: ✗ Music played throughout the facility
✗ Overhead PA systems ✗ Glare from windows or lights
See page D184.
Look for memory care environment tips throughout this section
See the products on the following pages or contact your Direct Supply account manager at 1-800-634-7328 for help designing the features of your memory care area.