FREE MOVEMENT
What are the main design principles when it comes to creating dementia-friendly interiors within healthcare settings? Mark Jackson, of Forbo Flooring Systems, explains.
According to the Alzheimer’s Society, there are over 850,000 people with dementia in the UK, with numbers set to rise to over 1 million by 2025. With this in mind, healthcare establishments are increasingly recognising the need for dementia-friendly spaces to help people feel safer in their surroundings and allow them to move confidently and freely around a space.
One of the most vital factors for consideration when designing dementia-inclusive interiors is tonal contrast between interior elements to allow them to be seen against each other and one of the easiest ways to incorporate contrast is through flooring choices. Indeed, a floor is one of the largest surface areas within any interior, so tonal contrast between this critical surface and walls, will help people to see spaces three-dimensionally and enable them to easily navigate throughout the building.
It is recommended that a difference of 30 degrees of Light Reflectance Values (LRV) is achieved between surfaces, like the floors to walls and doors to walls. If this is not possible, then it is essential that optimum contrast is achieved between the two critical planes such as the floor and wall.
When moving from room to room, the adjoining flooring must also be tonally similar to reduce the risk of falls, which
means the flooring LRVs should be within eight degrees of each other (less is better) and no more than 10 degrees. The transition strips should also match the tones of both flooring surfaces, with an ideal difference of no more than three degrees of LRV. If the contrast between the floorcoverings is too great and the transition strip contrasts too much – or if it is a highly reflective trim – then this could be perceived as a step and result in high-stepping and potential falls, or even deter people from passing through.
When it comes to the actual design of the floorcoverings, it is important that a glossy or sparkly floor is avoided, as it could be perceived as a wet surface. Flecked flooring could also convey spots, while logos etched into the floor could be observed as an obstacle.
Forbo Flooring Systems works in partnership with the Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC), at the University of Stirling, to review and accredit its floors in relation to dementia design principles and usability within a
20 | CARE FACILITIES
dementia-inclusive environment. For ease of identification, the suitability of a product is classified by a number - based on the tonal contrast and pattern of products. For example, 1a has plain aesthetic and 1b has a semi-plain design, both of which can be used indiscriminately. However, floorcoverings classified as 2 have a patterned surfaced and should be used with more caution.
For ease of selection more than 1000 + Forbo products have been accredited. In addition, Forbo can advise on the best flooring solution, taking into account other important factors such as ease of maintenance, infection control and acoustics – all of which will also contribute significantly to the care environment.
www.forbo-flooring.co.uk/designingfordementia www.tomorrowscontractfloors.com
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