FURNITURE, INTERIORS & DESIGN Designing for Dementia
Elizabeth Butcher, Head of Marketing at Blueleaf Care, explains the key principles of dementia-friendly interior design.
When it comes to designing care home interiors and selecting the right furniture for the space, a major priority should be making every choice dementia friendly.
In care homes today, 80% of residents have some form of dementia, and the number of people living with dementia is rising as the population ages. It is now recognised that the design of care facilities can have a significant impact on the quality of life for those people living with the condition.
Designing a safe physical environment, catered for people with dementia is not only critical to avoid unnecessary accidents, but it can also help residents to retain their independence and dignity, and could even slow the decline of their cognitive skills.
This includes creating a physical environment using colour schemes, lighting, fabrics, flooring, furnishings, signposting and the correct contrasts to help a person whose memory, eyesight and hearing is fading. Such an environment helps residents feel safe, encourages social interaction, and keeps them active, engaged, and able to retain a sense of purpose in life.
CREATING A HOME FROM HOME
Familiar designs, such as the style and colouring of a resident's room, are also important. When designing a room for a new resident, involving their family and getting their life history and
religious or cultural beliefs will help support their reality by recreating the era in which they lived or their social background.
This helps to maintain the feeling of being connected to their community and the place that they now call home. Accent colours and artwork can personalise the bedroom and encourage residents to be more comfortable with the layout or help them remember it more easily. Providing clocks and calendars can also help people keep track of time.
“In care homes today, 80%
of residents have some form of dementia.”
Good design can also support residents to maintain their independence, sense of self-worth and slow their cognitive decline. Allowing for spaces where residents can socialise and engage in community building activities such as craſting or gardening, as well as creating specific areas where they can
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www.tomorrowscare.co.uk
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