DEMENTIA


Simple Ways To Create Dementia-Friendly Spaces


Employees at a care centre in Doncaster, which provides activities and support for older


people, have worked with service users to create dementia-friendly spaces indoors and out. Here, Manager Annmarie Brown explains how they created a space to be enjoyed by all.


Moats Hill Centre, run by adult health and social care charity Making Space, is accessed by many people who are living with dementia. We are open seven days a week for all older people, but we also have two specialised days where we provide activities and services specifically created for people living with dementia.


It was important to create an environment that could be enjoyed by everyone, and that meant giving everyone who uses our service a say in what they wanted to see in their centre.


“It was important to create an


environment that could be enjoyed by everyone.”


The result is a colourful, atmospheric space with dementia-friendly signs and décor, and a blooming garden where people can tend to plants, then sit back and enjoy the fruits of their labour.


Here are my seven simple and cost- effective tips for creating a dementia- friendly environment:


1


KEEP DÉCOR NEUTRAL AND BRIGHTEN THE ROOM WITH


COLOURFUL SOFT FURNISHINGS People living with dementia can have a strong sense of colour, with some colours giving negative associations. Dark paint or carpets can oſten be associated with holes, while blue floors can look like water. Contrast between objects is important to aid navigation,


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for example between the floor and walls, or a couch and soſt furnishings. We made the carpets, paintwork and bathroom flooring very neutral, then invited the people who use the centre to choose the blinds, curtains and cushions to create a familiar and friendly space.


2


INCLUDE PICTURES ON SIGNS When dementia becomes advanced,


people oſten struggle to make out words and may lose their ability to read altogether. We added coloured pictures to all our signs to illustrate what was in each room and make it easy for people to find their way around.


3


MAKE THE BEST USE OF OUTDOOR SPACE


Moats Hill is surrounded by a tarmacked area. We took out all the objects from the middle of the space that could cause an obstruction, and instead created colourful borders with planters full of flowers and miniature fruit trees, with hanging baskets around the doors. We now have a large, open area where we can put out a gazebo, tables and chairs for people to sit, or safely move around to admire the plants.


4 5


CHOOSE AROMATIC PLANTS AND HERBS


Aromatic plants and herbs, such as heady-smelling roses and lavender, can trigger memories. We invited the people we support to choose their favourites, and then create their own displays in the planters and hanging baskets. They love tending to them, and get a huge amount of pleasure from the end result.


ADD A TOUCH OF SPARKLE Sundials and coloured hanging


ornaments add an extra dimension to outside space and provide a focal point. Wind chimes can gently stimulate the senses, which can aid reminiscence.


When the sun shines, the ornaments give off different patterns and really brighten up the area.


“Aromatic plants and herbs, such as heady-smelling


roses and lavender, can trigger memories.”


6 7


ENCOURAGE WILDLIFE Include a birdfeeder and bird bath in


your outside space to attract feathery visitors. The people using your service can be involved with making bird feeders as a rainy day activity. It’s one of our most popular features. Everyone loves to leave out food and water for the birds then sit and watch as they fly in and out.


CREATE PRIVACY WITH LARGE PLANTS


Our outside space is surrounded by a fence, which didn’t really give much privacy. We planted bamboo, which grows very quickly, all around the fence so that the people we support can enjoy the outside space in peace.


These simple changes have created a much more pleasant space for everyone to enjoy. Our outdoor area in particular is now much more popular, and everyone is keen to visit to see how their planters and baskets are coming along. We’re all very proud of what we’ve achieved.


www.makingspace.co.uk www.tomorrowscare.co.uk


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