Design


change throughout the day depending on a building’s orientation and the time of year. Natural light can also be a source of glare, causing reflections and shadows that can make it difficult for people with sight loss (or dementia) to interpret the environment clearly. The best approach is to opt for multiple managed light sources to complement any natural light. In any room, the checklist for effective lighting is as follows: n Ensure an even spread of light (ambient lighting) avoiding light pools.


n Ensure that sufficient lux (the unit of illuminance) levels are being achieved – at least 200 lux to communal areas such as lounges and corridors, 200 (dimmable) to bedrooms, and 250 to 300 in high task areas such as kitchens, dining rooms, and bathrooms.


n Remember that bright is not always best – glare and over-lighting can be just as disorientating as insufficient lighting.


n Light switches and sockets should be visible and easy to use.


n Use curtains and blinds to control natural light.


You can learn more about effective lighting for visual impairment from Thomas Pocklington Trust’s seminal paper Lighting in and around the home: A guide to better lighting for blind and partially sighted people.6


The dining experience


Clients tell us that one of the most challenging times for residents with sight loss is the dining experience. In addition to ensuring effective lux lighting levels (250 to 300 lux), there are other ways to help. RNIB offers the following invaluable design guidance: n Use brighter and bolder colours to create good colour contrasts between different items.


n Plainly coloured backgrounds on table tops and other surfaces can support the identification and location of cutlery, plates, and drinking glasses and cups.


n Find out how the diner prefers their knife, fork, and drinking glass to be positioned. Ensure they are always in the same place.


n Declutter the table. Only use what is needed for each course.


Wayfinding I mentioned above that an LRV contrast of at least 30 points would be an essential consideration in good signage design.


January 2024 www.thecarehomeenvironment.com


However, careful thought must be given to every aspect of the signage – from colours and materials, through to fonts and symbols – to create signage that is inclusive and effective. Many operators have gone even further with their commitment to best practice by also incorporating braille into their standard signage.


Increasingly, glass manifestations are being used in modern care home design. These should be set at two levels from 850mm to 1000mm, and 1400mm to 1600mm, so that they can be seen by wheelchair users, persons of small stature, and children, as well as at adult eye level (BSI 2009+A1:2010). They should also contrast visually with their backgrounds and be seen through the glass in all light and weather conditions – for entrance doors, for example. On approaching the building from the outside, the markings must contrast visually with the entrance foyer floor. Feature walls in different colours are another invaluable aid to wayfinding and orientation. They are particularly helpful in large corridor areas, and attention should be paid to achieving the minimum golden 30 LRV value when introducing these colours – remember to check your handrail contrast, too! Contrasting door finishes will further aid orientation and can be achieved on an aesthetically attractive tonal palette rather than resorting to primary shades with some clever consideration and analysis of LRV values.


n


References 1 https://www.rnib.org.uk/nations/ walescymru/how-we-can-help/visibly- better-designing-accessible-housing-and- buildings/


2 https://www.housinglin.org. uk/_assets/Resources/Housing/


OtherOrganisation/Homes-for-people- with-learning-disabilities-and-sight-loss- A-guide-to-providing-safe-and-accessible- environments.pdf


3 https://www.gov.uk/government/ publications/access-to-and-use-of- buildings-approved-document-m


4 https://knowledge.bsigroup.com/products/ design-of-an-accessible-and-inclusive-built- environment-external-environment-code- of-practice?version=standard


5 Calkins M. Journal of Dementia Care. 10(4) pp 20-23. July 2002


6 https://www.pocklington-trust.org.uk/wp- content/uploads/2021/10/Lighting-Guide- 2021-FINAL.pdf


Rachel Warrington


Rachel has spent over 18 years working in design and fit out for the care sector, including several years as in-house design manager for one of the UK’s leading care groups. She is now a partner and design manager with iDesign Interiors – a full service studio specialising in interior design, project management, and fit out for care.


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