TOUCHING T Lisa Tomlin, CEO of CFS (stocked by Carpet and Flooring), considers how different aspects
CFS Scala Solutions, colour Dove 869P fitted at Coldwells Care Home, Hereford
Design shapes and influences our physical environment and for the 850,000 dementia sufferers in the UK it can make a real difference, impacting positively on their quality of life and promoting feelings of both safety and security. In order to provide an optimum living environment, care homes that cater for such residents must take due consideration and make informed choices when specifying their interiors as furnishings and floorcoverings, in particular, can have an effect on those individuals’ mental, and physical, comfort.
Practicality and safety will always top the list in care environments however, in homes with a high level of dementia patients, it’s also important that the interior design isn’t overlooked as it is crucial to ensure you don’t increase patient anxiety.
To best support overall wellbeing it’s necessary to seek out interiors with functional benefits, identifying the best type of products to suit patient needs. For vulnerable user groups who might be unsure on their feet, floorcoverings such as non-grip tiles, which can increase the risk of slips, trips and falls, are especially unsuitable. Patients can become unnecessarily confused, and the likelihood of said trips and slips is increased, if floors are too shiny as they give the appearance of being wet which can be confusing.
Specifying carpets is a good idea as it allows residents to remain confident on their feet and CFS provides a selection of ranges that can be installed into care home environments. CFS Scala Twist, the latest product launch from CFS, has a
14 | COVER STORY 1/8th gauge twist pile in a 1,200g/m2 weight and impervious foam backed, making it a great solution for this application.
Although memory loss and disorientation are the best-known elements of dementia, the condition is also associated with image distortion and visuo-perceptual difficulties specifically spatial disorientation, colour perception and reduced contrast. If you combine this with the natural deterioration of eyesight in old age, an inconsistent floor pattern, such as a floral design, can make it difficult for patients to differentiate between the floor and obstructions or objects. This can result in unnecessary emotional distress and increase in anxiety when walking around a room and increase the likelihood of a fall.
As well as the flooring specified, the associated accessories can also cause problems for those with dementia. By installing threshold strips in a contrasting colour to the flooring, the continuity of the flooring is disrupted, again increasing the chance of a stumble or fall. It’s therefore beneficial to ensure all associated equipment is the same colour as the carpet, presenting the flooring as one continuous surface.
However, there are some instances when a pattern or change in colour can benefit those with dementia. If the floor of a property is multi-level, with a single step between the kitchen and living area, for example, installing two different colours of carpet, preferably in a block colour, can help people distinguish the step. Additionally, specifying a carpet that is a contrasting colour to furniture can help residents find, or avoid, objects
www.tomorrowscontractfloors.com
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