FURNITURE & INTERIORS Homes that Care
James Botterill, Director of HSSP Architects shares his experience in designing care homes that help residents to connect with nature, supporting the wellbeing and quality of life of people living with dementia.
Using biophilic principles— based on increasing the connection with nature — is one of the most important design approaches to support the cognitive function, physical health and psychological wellbeing of care home residents.
Ask anyone about their favourite childhood memory and most oſten it will involve being outdoors – picnics, sledging, collecting conkers, spotting birds and creepy crawlies. Later in life, and particularly for people with dementia, feelings of happiness, health and wellbeing continue to be evoked by the outdoors and can significantly impact quality of life.
Biophilic design focuses on increasing connectivity to the natural environment and demonstrates beneficial effects in care facilities.
OUTDOOR PLAY, AT ANY AGE
Access to the outdoors is an important aspect of caring for people with dementia, providing fresh air, smells, birdsong, colours and natural light to stimulate the senses.
Wildlife gardens and raised planting beds encourage exercise and purposeful activities, with a therapeutic effect on stress and blood pressure. It provides space for social interaction, addressing feelings of isolation and promoting wellbeing.
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However, accessibility is a barrier in many care homes; indoor space and outdoor areas need to be simple and safe, aiding navigation and mobility.
At HSSP, we have worked on a concept that deconstructs the traditional institution into a cluster of smaller, self-contained ‘pods’. It breaks down long corridors and noisy communal areas to create light and airy spaces with straight-forward access to the outdoors. The design provides a sense of familiarity and freedom, even for the less mobile.
Outdoor areas provide neutral spaces to foster engagement for all ages. In Norwich, we recently designed a high- dependency nursing home to include an outdoor children’s play area that encourages young families to visit and enjoy intergenerational play.
EVOKING CHILDHOOD MEMORIES
Memories from childhood are more deeply rooted than more recent ones and creating environments that evoke happy early life memories can be stimulating and comforting to people living with dementia. The Gables Care Village project, in Leicester, includes a proposed upliſting outdoor space with bright beach huts, reminiscent of British seaside holidays that might have been enjoyed by many of its residents.
www.tomorrowscare.co.uk
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