FURNITURE, INTERIORS & DESIGN DESIGNED FOR DEMENTIA
Charlotte Lloyd, Commissioning and Operations Developments Director at Exemplar Health Care, explains why evidence-led design is as important as clinical expertise in creating environments where people living with dementia can thrive.
At Exemplar Health Care, we know the environment someone lives in can have a profound impact on their wellbeing, independence, and quality of life, particularly for people living with dementia. The way a space feels, and whether it helps reduce anxiety, can shape everyday experiences in ways that are easy to underestimate until you see it working in practice.
That’s why we ensure every new home is designed not only to meet clinical needs, but to support people to live well, feel safe at home, and maintain dignity and confidence in their daily routines.
GETTING DESIGN PRINCIPLES RIGHT
Our new home, Springfield Vale, is one of the most exciting examples of this approach. Designed in collaboration with the University of Stirling, it brings together research, innovation, and real-world insight to create a truly dementia-led environment, inside and out.
Following the home opening in February, we hope that it will be first of our homes to achieve the Stirling Gold Environment Award from the Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC) at the University of Stirling.
A few years ago, I completed a course at the University of Stirling focused on dementia design, and it reinforced something we strongly believe at Exemplar Health Care: good design isn’t simply about aesthetics, but about how a space functions, feels, and supports the people living within it. It’s about removing risks, supporting people to navigate their surroundings safely, reducing anxiety and agitation to improve quality of life for those living with dementia, and fostering a sense of emotional wellbeing and security.
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Throughout the design process, we worked in close collaboration with the University team, partnering to put their world-leading dementia design expertise at the heart of our approach to develop the home, and balancing research principles with the realities of delivering complex care. Because dementia-friendly design isn’t about one or two standout features, it’s the accumulation of subtle, thoughtful details that support independence.
PUTTING PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE
At Springfield Vale, we’ve focused on key environmental elements to help residents move through the home with greater confidence, using colour, contrast and clear visual cues to make key features easier to identify, from handrails and signage to ensuring everyday items like televisions stand out against surrounding walls. We’ve also introduced vision panels in communal areas, allowing residents to understand the purpose of a room before entering, reducing uncertainty and supporting choice.
Lighting has been another major focus, with the goal to support the circadian rhythm, reduce anxiety and anticipatory agitation with a non-pharmacological approach to sleep hygiene support. We’ve tailored lighting across the home to support comfort and calm throughout the day and evening. Sensory enhancements are also integrated throughout, from assisted bathrooms with hydrotherapy features to interior finishes that create a more homely feel while still supporting safety.
The environment is the right balance of stimulating, yet comfortable with meaningful and familiar design features. There is not a one- size-fits-all approach, however we have designed spaces to embody person-centred approaches, reflecting culture, preferences and enabling social connection within the environment, offering multiple communal spaces and connection to nature.
www.tomorrowscare.co.uk
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