Care home design
Seating that is slightly higher than average (avoid low back chairs!) will help residents to comfortably sit and stand without needing assistance. Such chairs should be located all over the care home too, not just in residents’ rooms. If a resident finds a chair difficult to
stand up from in a communal space, for instance, they may avoid that area altogether. Also, choose a seat cushion with special fabric or vegan leather so it will be easy to clean.
Tables Tables should be slightly higher than your average table at home, mainly to allow for easy wheelchair access. The other key reason is that there is less room to travel from the plate to the mouth. Unsteady hands are common in the
elderly and some do not like to eat in front of others in fear of missing their mouth or dropping food onto the table, so having heightened tables can minimise this and make them feel more comfortable. As mealtimes are an important part of
the day where residents gather and eat together, it is recommended that these settings are made to feel homely and inviting, just as your own dining room setup at home. Introduce table settings which can be
assembled quickly and efficiently by staff. Even small touches such as napkins being folded into the shape of a swan can make a big difference.
Fabrics To make a resident feel comfortable and to preserve their dignity, choose fabrics that can last the test of time and be washed at high temperatures without shrinkage or fading. These fabrics are often treated and may not be as soft and luxurious as what we might like in our own
homes, but they will provide a long lifespan, as opposed to soft fabrics that will potentially not be visually appealing in a short space of time. It is also important to remember that
when an elderly person looks at a chair, their viewpoint is different to that of a younger person. We must preserve their dignity and be able to clean up any bodily fluids without staining.
Artificial lighting Bright lighting is best suited to care home environments to ensure enhanced visibility, but lightbulb exposure to the eyes of residents should be avoided. Lampshades and diffusers are good choices, especially for ceiling lights and if the lighting is situated above the bed. The eyesight of elderly people can
vary tremendously, so the shielding of naked light is recommended as a universal solution.
Adaptive lighting Make sure the rooms are as light as possible with unrestrictive views at bed
December 2020 •
www.thecarehomeenvironment.com
level and chair level. Light entering the room should not be restricted to those who are bedbound, so windowsills should be built to be as practically low as possible. This will also maximise the amount of light entering the room.
Smart lighting Bright white lights should be avoided where possible. This type of lighting is often found in offices and is not practical for those living in a care home setting. Warm lighting is preferred and is more dementia-friendly too. Studies have shown that the colour temperature of a light can change the mood of a person. Using smart bulbs that are integrated
to a device, you can set up a sunrise and sunset setting, where the lighting can gradually change throughout the day from white to orange, helping residents with a dementia to acclimatise to the time of day. Unfortunately, ‘sundowning’ - a sense
of agitation, confusion or anxiety at the end of the day for those with dementia - is common and changing lighting
41
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52
