FURNITURE & INTERIORS
Image 1: Confusing visual barriers
Image 2: Confusing patterns
When looking to achieve a homely, non-clinical feel, it may be tempting to opt for patterned flooring, but as image 2 shows, someone with visuo-perceptual difficulties may mistake the pattern for objects to be picked up or to be avoided, and in doing so could result in a fall. Similarly with wall coverings, heavy patterned wallpaper could be picked at and damaged.
Although a lot of the guidance around design for dementia considers visuo-perceptual difficulties, acoustics and sound also play a part. In fact, dementia affects, and is affected by, all of the senses. For example, some studies have shown that people with mild to moderate hearing loss are more likely to experience memory and thinking problems. The effort it takes to hear and understand things diverts brain resources away from the ability to process, respond and remember the information being heard.
Disorientation and bewilderment are a common experience for people with dementia - this is exacerbated by noisy communal and activity spaces, repetitive sound, noise transfer to bedrooms. People with dementia need environments that are easy to interpret first of all. They need rooms that are easy to read because dementia can lead to confusion, and they may lose the
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ability to accurately interpret what they hear because of hearing loss. Altro’s CPD on sound reduction explores these issues and best practice solutions in more detail.
Designing with empathy can make a huge difference to the everyday life of people living with dementia. Seeing the world through their eyes allows you to drastically improve understanding and make better assessments and recommendations.
There are many more practical examples like these in the new edition of Altro’s designing for dementia CPD, along with guidance and best practice examples and solutions, based on years of experience and real-world applications. The CPD has been designed to be interactive, promoting discussion with those taking part around the growing challenge of creating spaces that work well for those with dementia. There is also a new CPD on sound reduction which also encompasses elements of design for dementia from an acoustic perspective. Altro’s designing for dementia CPD fits within RIBA’s core curriculum and covers its seven ‘specification essentials’.
www.altro.co.uk - 29 -
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